Commanders NFL Mock Draft Evaluates Critical Quarterback Question

When it comes to the Washington Commanders getting a quarterback in the NFL Draft there’s Caleb Williams and then questions to differentiate between Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels.

The Washington Commanders have a big question to answer this offseason once they have their staff finalized. 

Whether the Commanders’ new leadership believes in Sam Howell’s potential at quarterback or not there’s a chance they take one near the top of this year’s NFL Draft.

Why? That question is easy to answer, and it’s because of the always high need to have a difference-making quarterback on the roster. That need leaves teams like Washington constantly searching for its next franchise quarterback if it doesn’t have a bonafide one on the roster already.

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

It led to the Commanders taking two quarterbacks in 2012 and it contributed to the Kansas City Chiefs drafting Patrick Mahomes with veteran Alex Smith already on the roster.

The question that isn’t so easy to answer is which quarterback to take at No. 2, especially if the Chicago Bears keep the No. 1 overall pick and take USC quarterback Caleb Williams. 

That exact scenario leaves Washington with the scenario of drafting either Drake Maye (North Carolina) or Jayden Daniels (LSU) with Michael Penix Jr. (Washington Huskies) considered a third option with an outside shot at entering the conversation.

And really, the question then is whether or not the team goes after a veteran bridge-quarterback or is looking for a rookie to start in year one. 

From there we enter into the realm of floor vs. ceiling, with most pegging Maye as the more NFL ready prospect compared to Daniels who has plenty of tools but lacks polish as he enters the league following his Heisman Trophy winning campaign. Including NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah who projected Maye to the Commanders at No. 2.

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If there’s a gap between the two prospects it’s not wide, and Jeremiah has Daniels going No. 3 to the New England Patriots. 

As debates continue into the height of the scouting season these questions about the pro-readiness of all prospects will take center stage, as will the intentions of the teams selecting players this April.