NFL Mock Draft: Commanders Make Surprising Pick at No. 2

The Washington Commanders hold the No. 2 overall pick, and in the latest mock draft, the franchise takes a quarterback, but not the one most think.

The Washington Commanders hold the No. 2 overall pick with the consensus that a new quarterback will be coming to the nation's capital. But who?

USC's Caleb Williams is expected to go at No. 1 and that will then leave North Carolina's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels as the next two quarterbacks to be taken off the board.

But which way will Washington go? Several mock drafts have Washington taking Maye, but NFL.com's Josh Edwards has the franchise going a different way.

"To this point, I think everyone's assumption has been that Drake Maye is going to be taken second once Caleb Williams is gone," Edwards writes. "While I do believe that is the most likely outcome, it would be naïve not to acknowledge that other possibilities exist. Jayden Daniels had a better season in 2023 than Maye."

The Heisman trophy winner had a superb season for LSU, throwing for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns to just four interceptions and that kind of production and ability to protect the football would be welcomed in Washington.

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Sam Howell was thrown in the deep end this season and while he did show some good signs, after a 4-13 record, it doesn't instill much confidence going forward.

While some of the Commanders' hierarchy might see Howell as a franchise quarterback, having the No. 2 pick in a draft that has so many talented quarterbacks could be too good of an opportunity to pass up.

Additionally, with a changing of the guard in Washington as new owner Josh Harris and general manager Adam Peters have gotten things going, the new head coach might also want to start over at quarterback.

Daniels proved to be a true dual-threat quarterback as he threw 40 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns, he could be just what Washington needs.

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The LSU standout has all the qualities to succeed at the next level. His athletic ability, arm strength, pocket presence, and ability to evade pressure along with his accurate throws make him a good choice at No. 2.

Washington has a chance to get its quarterback for the next decade in the upcoming draft, and it appears that the franchise's selections are down to Daniels and Maye.