Dane Brugler and I are vibing when it comes to considering the needs and players for the Washington Commanders in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Athletic’s senior draft analyst released his seven-round mock this week. That’s picks 1 through 257. Mixed in are nine selections for the Commanders. There’s been significant talk about Washington’s first-round pick largely because quarterbacks are in play (and now we know general manager Adam Peters intends to use the selection rather than trade out).
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The Commanders also have many other needs. Other than defensive tackle, running back and linebacker, no other position should be off the table with their two second-round selections. With all those combinations in play, Brugler and I targeted the same positions in order with Washington’s original selections. Some choices were the same player. Needless to say, Brugler did a bang-up job…
Note: My Commanders-only mock draft 2.0 included two trades. One dropped Washington’s second selection in the second round five spots. Another added a fourth-round pick.
Day 1
Brugler’s pick
No. 2 — Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Reminder: My mocks of various forms for weeks have landed on the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner while acknowledging this repetitive action is more about gathering insights from evaluators than people inside the building spilling any tea. Brugler backs that up as well in his analysis:
“The draft winds will continue to swirl in unpredictable directions up until draft night. Right now, though, the buzz is pointing toward Daniels being the pick at No. 2. Truth is, new Washington general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn aren’t tipping their hands, so everyone is still guessing at this point.”
Day 2
Brugler’s picks
No. 36 — Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
No. 40 — Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
No. 67 — Adisa Isaac, Edge, Penn State
No. 78 — Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington
No. 100 — Brenden Rice, WR, USC
These five positions match my 2.0 picks including two tackles. Rice, the son of Hall of Fame receiver Jerry, is a direct hit on the selection number, the individual and the need.
Brugler: “Looking at the Commanders’ receiver depth chart, there is plenty of speed but not much size. Rice is 6-2 1/2 and 208 with the body and play strength to be a physical presence on the outside. And his Hall of Fame bloodlines don’t hurt.”
The two tackles, Paul and Rosengarten, were Day 2 selections in our six-way mock draft project. The clamoring for tackles this year is fueled by a league-wide need at the position and an expected run in the first round on what Peters described as a “really good … deep tackle class. As you can see in a lot of the mock drafts, there’s a ton of those guys coming off in the first round. … Fortunately, in the top 100, there’s a lot of really good players there.”
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Brugler’s selection of Paul, the younger brother of Commanders guard Chris, is a perfect example of how quickly tackles may come off the board. The hulking University of Houston lineman is Brugler’s No. 59 prospect but is selected at No. 36. Taking two tackles is a nod to short- and long-term concerns at both spots. Some evaluators see Rosengarten hearing his name called as soon as Round 2.
Washington assembled rotational players at cornerback and edge rusher in free agency, but higher-end talent is required. Benjamin St-Juste and Michael Davis are also 2025 free agents. Whether that’s the physical Rakestraw or a bigger option such as T.J. Tampa, targeting a corner high on Day 2 must be considered.
There’s no clear defensive end starter opposite Dorance Armstrong. The assertive Isaac led the Nittany Lions last season with 7 1/2 sacks and 16 tackles for loss.
Day 3
Brugler’s picks
No. 139 — Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois
No. 152 — Edefuan Ulofoshio, LB, Washington
No. 222 — Daijahn Anthony, S, Ole Miss
The tight end room is set in terms of functional NFL players, but the current quartet of Zach Ertz, John Bates, Cole Turner and Armani Rogers (coming off a torn Achilles) won’t come close to spooking defenses. Reiman, a 271-pounder, would bolster the blocking.
Washington made its boldest free-agency signings with Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner at linebacker. Depth chart questions exist beyond that pair and Jamin Davis. Ulofoshio received first-team All-Pac-12 honors after recording three sacks and three passes defended for the national champion runner-up University of Washington.
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Brugler: “Ulofoshio might have a capped ceiling in the NFL, but he has overachieved at every other level because of his football instincts and active play style. He has the “all-in” mentality of a core special-teamer who can make a living covering kicks while competing for defensive snaps.”
Safety is lower on Washington’s depth needs list, but few roster spots are locked in this retooling situation. Brugler sees Anthony, who had three interceptions last season at Ole Miss, “as a nickel defender who can work underneath and overlap responsibilities in the secondary.”
(Photo of Ennis Rakestraw Jr.: Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today)
