'Tantalizing Option': Should Washington Commanders Trade No. 2 NFL Draft Pick?

As the 2024 NFL Draft nears, could the Washington Commanders seriously consider trading down?

Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters talks to the media at the NFL Combine. / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Commanders are just over two weeks away from perhaps changing the course of their franchise with the opening round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Washington, which currently owns the No. 2 overall pick, is expected to select a prospective franchise quarterback - if it doesn't trade back.

The Commanders are seemingly in an ideal position, as they'll likely have their pick of every top quarterback apart from USC's Caleb Williams, who is largely viewed as a shoe-in to the Chicago Bears at No. 1 overall.

Be it LSU's Jayden Daniels, North Carolina's Drake Maye or Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, Washington has options ... including the ever-intriguing chance at moving down and stockpiling future capital.

Led by owner Josh Harris, who oversaw a tanking-filled rebuild with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Commanders were still tabbed by ESPN as a team expected to stay at No. 2 - but perhaps not without deep consideration.

"In the big picture, I could see an argument for the Commanders trading down," ESPN writes. "It's not out of the question that Washington could have decided to go deep into the tank. Trading this pick would undoubtedly net the franchise multiple first-rounders in the years to come, possibly from a team that might still be far away from contending, like the Raiders or Broncos.

"That's a tantalizing option."

Mar 1, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Louisiana State quarterback Jayden Daniels (QB01) talks to the / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

But between questions about the effectiveness of tanking and the fluctuating value of high draft picks, the Commanders remain likely to hold onto the pick.

There's also the point that nothing matters more to the Commanders' short- and long-term future than selecting a franchise quarterback, and there's no guarantees they'll be back in the position to choose between such a talented crop of signal callers.

"Every sport is subject to differing qualities in draft classes from year to year, but nothing is more valuable than being in position to pick a potential franchise quarterback," ESPN writes. "The Commanders would project to generate more surplus value by drafting a quarterback at No. 2 than they would by landing two other picks in the top 10 and using them on non-quarterbacks."

Further, ESPN adds none of the moves Washington made in free agency signals a tanking effort.

From signing players such as linebacker Bobby Wagner, center Tyler Biadasz and defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr., the Commanders' new leadership - featuring head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters - are trying to build a culture.

Mar 26, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn speaks to the media / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

And doing so doesn't come with the intent to tank.

"They don't look like a team that plans to lose in 2024," ESPN writes. "If they don't love any of the non-Williams quarterbacks available at No. 2, they could consider a trade down. Otherwise, they need to stay put and draft a signal-caller."

The final answer will be in soon enough, as the 2024 NFL Draft takes place April 25-27 in Detroit - and the Commanders appear poised to make the event's second selection.