Washington Commanders Updated NFL Draft Position After Week 12

Where are the Washington Commanders scheduled to pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after Week 12?

The Washington Commanders (4-8) began the season thinking that if they got solid play from quarterback Sam Howell they’d be playoff-bound. 

Well, the Commanders have gotten just that, but a surprising collapse of their defense has led to a repeat of the losing seasons that came before this one and as we reach December we are once again looking toward April instead of mid-January when the NFL Playoffs will begin.

Losing 45-10 to the Dallas Cowboys (8-3) on Thanksgiving Day placed another tally in the loss column for Washington and contributed to a top five spot in the 2024 NFL Draft order as it stands today.

According to Tankathon the Commanders currently hold the No. 5 pick in next year’s selection meeting following the Chicago Bears (4-8) who get the No. 1 overall pick thanks to their trade last year with the Carolina Panthers (1-10).

After that, the Arizona Cardinals (2-10), New England Patriots (2-9), and Bears again would all take their players of choice before Washington gets a turn on the clock.

While this team lost its matchup to Chicago earlier this season the first discriminator between teams with matching win/loss records is strength of schedule, of which Washington has the stronger, and that leaves the order as it is today.

According to Pro Football Focus’s current ranking of NFL Draft prospects picking fifth overall could see the Commanders choosing from a talent pool featuring Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, Penn State offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu, and UCLA edge defender Laiatu Latu.

Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) runs after a catch against the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Due to the trades of defensive ends Montez Sweat to Chicago and Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers (8-3) the full slate of picks Washington possesses are as follows:

1st Round, No. 5

2nd Round, No. 36

2nd Round, No. 38 (from CHI)

3rd Round, No. 70

3rd Round, No. 100 (from SF)

4th Round, No. 105

5th Round, No. 139

6th Round, No. 183

7th Round, No. 224

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Five picks in the top 100 along with a promising young quarterback and talent at key spots on the roster gives the Commanders a solid foundation to build the future on.

Getting impact players with those five picks would accelerate that development, and while some of these pick spots will certainly fluctuate as the season progresses its clear Washington is going to have the capital to make significant moves in the 2024 offseason.