2024 NFL Draft Grades: Washington Commanders
The 2024 NFL Draft is now in the rearview mirror, and we have compiled a consensus ranking using NFL draft grades from a variety of sites.
What draft grades have the media given to the Washington Commanders? What are they saying about the Commanders' 2024 draft haul?
NFL.com - Grade: A-
Day 2 grade: A
Day 3 grade: A-
Analysis: The Commanders entered a new era with an excellent draft. Daniels could be an elite dual-threat playmaker if he becomes more efficient from the pocket. Newton is a force in the front four. Sainristil is a pain for opposing receivers to handle. Sinnott is an underappreciated receiving/blocking weapon. Coleman is a powerful guard/tackle. And McCaffrey is a reliable WR2 or WR3 option.
Washington did not have a fourth-round pick after moving up to the third in the Sam Howell trade with Seattle. It found a future starting linebacker in Magee, whose explosiveness was underappreciated while he was playing at Temple. Hampton possesses a nice combination of size and quickness, and it won't be surprising if he plays as a rookie.
ESPN - Grade: A-
The Commanders have undergone a total reset of their franchise over the past year, with a new owner (Josh Harris), general manager (Adam Peters) and coach (Dan Quinn). Peters, who had been in the 49ers' front office since 2017, had some capital to work with in this draft, with six picks on the first two days.
The first step, though? Picking a quarterback. With 2023 starter Sam Howell traded to Seattle, Washington had its choice of Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy at No. 2 overall. In my rankings, I had Daniels at No. 2, slightly ahead of Maye -- No. 6 -- with McCarthy nine spots later. In the end, the Commanders went with Daniels, a dual-threat playmaker who won the Heisman Trophy last season, and it was the right call. While he won't have quite the level of pass-catchers around him as Caleb Williams, Daniels has a true No. 1 in Terry McLaurin and a solid No. 2 in Jahan Dotson. Daniels is going to thrive in Kliff Kingsbury's wide-open offense and put up some massive numbers.
I wrote on Friday night about Washington's Day 2 haul, which is talented and deep. Taking defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton (36) is an example of the best-available-prospect approach; he has Pro Bowl upside as an interior pass-rusher. Mike Sainristil (50) is a really fun slot corner who can pick off passes and blitz off the edge. Tight end Ben Sinnott (53) can be an outlet for Daniels and upgrade as a run-blocker. Brandon Coleman (67) is a guard/tackle hybrid who could play early. And while I had other available receivers rated higher than Luke McCaffrey (100), the former quarterback turned heads with his contested-catch ability last season. Of the Day 3 fliers, I give linebacker Jordan Magee (139) the best chance to make the team because of his speed and size.
I really like this class overall, and whether it goes from great to amazing could hinge on Coleman becoming a starter. If he does and Daniels is a star, this could set the foundation for the Commanders returning to the playoffs -- in a couple of years.
MORE: Washington Commanders 2024 NFL Draft Roundup
Washington Commanders Mock Draft Roundup 1.0
Throughout the year and leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, we will update our Washington Commanders Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Washington Commanders from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Commanders:
Fox Sports - Rob Rang (5/3)
4. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
ESPN - Jordan Reid (5/2)
2. Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
MORE: Continue reading our 2025 Washington Commanders Mock Draft Roundup
Washington Commanders 2024 NFL Schedule
Below you will find the weekly regular-season schedule for the Washington Commanders.
Week | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) / Tickets |
---|---|---|---|
Week 1 | Sun., Sept. 8 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 37-20 |
Week 2 | Sun., Sept. 15 | vs. New York Giants | W 21-18 |
Week 3 | Mon., Sept. 23 | at Cincinnati Bengals | W 38-33 |
Week 4 | Sun., Sept. 29 | at Arizona Cardinals | W 42-14 |
Week 5 | Sun., Oct. 6 | vs. Cleveland Browns | W 34-13 |
Week 6 | Sun., Oct. 13 | at Baltimore Ravens | L 30-23 |
Week 7 | Sun., Oct. 20 | vs. Carolina Panthers | 4:05 PM / Tickets |
Week 8 | Sun., Oct. 27 | vs. Chicago Bears | 1:00 PM / Tickets |
Week 9 | Sun., Nov. 3 | at New York Giants | 1:00 PM / Tickets |
Week 10 | Sun., Nov. 10 | vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | 1:00 PM / Tickets |
Week 11 | Thu., Nov. 14 | at Philadelphia Eagles | 8:15 PM / Tickets |
Week 12 | Sun., Nov. 24 | vs. Dallas Cowboys | 1:00 PM / Tickets |
Week 13 | Sun., Dec. 1 | vs. Tennessee Titans | 1:00 PM / Tickets |
Week 14 | BYE | ||
Week 15 | Sun., Dec. 15 | at New Orleans Saints | 1:00 PM / Tickets |
Week 16 | Sun., Dec. 22 | vs. Philadelphia Eagles | 1:00 PM / Tickets |
Week 17 | TBD | vs. Atlanta Falcons | TBD / Tickets |
Week 18 | TBD | at Dallas Cowboys | TBD / Tickets |
Also, check out the following resources:
Washington Commanders - 2024 Draft Results
The table below are all of the 2024 NFL Draft picks selected by the Washington Commanders.
Round | Overall | Player | Position | School |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | Jayden Daniels | QB | LSU |
2 | 36 | Jer'Zhan Newton | DT | Illinois |
2 | 50 | Mike Sainristil | CB | Michigan |
2 | 53 | Ben Sinnott | TE | Kansas State |
3 | 67 | Brandon Coleman | OL | TCU |
3 | 100 | Luke McCaffrey | WR | Rice |
5 | 139 | Jordan Magee | LB | Temple |
5 | 161 | Dominique Hampton | S | Washington |
7 | 222 | Javontae Jean-Baptiste | EDGE | Notre Dame |
More: 2024 NFL Draft Results - Washington Commanders Draft History