Day 3 – SB Nation 2024 Mock Draft Extravaganza – The Commanders are nearly on the clock!

It’s almost time for the real thing! Until then, we get the next best thing.

Each year, just before the actual draft, enterprising individuals from various SBNation blogs take it upon themselves to organize a site-wide full mock draft, with (ideally) writers/posters from each of the team blogs picking on behalf of their team. This year, I will be picking on behalf of the Washington Commanders and tracking progress here. The draft will take place on Discord.

During Day 1, Washington added a future franchise QB and one of the most talented tackle prospects in the draft. A superb athlete who could hold down the left tackle position for a decade, if developed properly. On Day 2, Washington added multiple weapons for Daniels, as well as developmental EDGE rushing talent. We’ll see what Day 3 holds with two picks left.

Think of this draft as a series of thought exercises, not simply a rote duplication of what we can expect come late April in Detroit. It’s may not to be to everyone’s taste. Last year’s exercise can be found here.

Schedule

4/12 – 8 PM EDT / 5 PM PDT (Round 1)

4/13 – 1pm EDT / 10 AM PDT (Rounds 2-3)

4/14 – 1pm EDT / 10 AM PDT (Rounds 4-7)

This page should be updated in fairly close to real time once the draft begins on 4/13.

Round 1, Pick 2 – Jayden Daniels, QB (LSU)

In a move that I telegraphed earlier in the week, Adam Peters and his band of merry men make Jayden Daniels the Commanders’ next franchise quarterback. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner is widely considered to be the second best quarterback in the class by shrewd film evaluators with several even considering him to have the highest potential ceiling in the class.

By several accounts, he should be a great fit for Kliff Kingsbury’s offensive system, and I can’t wait to see him on the field this fall, tearing up opponents through the air and on the ground.

Much of the rest of this draft will be committed to surrounding him with talent for the coming season and beyond.

In-Draft Trade: Washington sends 36 and 67 to Minnesota for 23. Per the Rich Hill Trade Chart, this represents a slight gain of value for Washington of 4 points (a late 6th rounder). Minnesota’s pick is worth 245 pts compared to the 241 points of Washington’ picks. More importantly though, this allows Washington to move back into the first to grab a premium talent at a position of need.

Round 1, Pick 23 (from Minnesota) – Amarius Mims, OT (Georgia)

Washington needs tackles, and I was able to move up and get one of the best in the draft:

Amarius Mims is a standout OT prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft, showcasing a rare blend of size, athleticism, and strength. His journey to the draft is reminiscent of other late bloomers who made a significant impact in their final collegiate seasons. Despite a limited number of starts and concerns regarding his durability, Mims’ physical attributes and on-field performances have kept him in the conversation for a high-draft pick.

His ability to adapt to various along the offensive line, combined with his innate physical talents, make him an option for NFL teams looking for a cornerstone offensive tackle who isn’t quite ready yet but who possesses great upside.

Round 2, Pick 36 (traded to Minnesota)

Round 2, Pick 40 – Ja’Lynn Polk, WR (Washington)

Some will surely say this is too early for Polk, or that we don’t need a wide receiver this high. I disagree on both counts. I think Polk could end up being one of the best WRs in this draft, and that his talent has been overshadowed by his teammate Rome Odunze, who went in the top 10. Polk is a “big receiver” who has the capacity to quickly become one of Jayden Daniels’ favorite targets early on. From one of his draft profiles:

Polk is a ball-winning No. 2 WR in the NFL. He can dunk on DBs down the field and in the red zone, as well as serve as an underneath bully type on the outside to help move the chains. Polk may not be the star in an NFL offense, but he can be a reliable high-level contributor.

Round 3, Pick 67 (traded to Minnesota)

Round 3, Pick 78, Ben Sinnott, TE (Kansas State)

I believe Sinnott will end up being one of the top tight ends from this draft. I’ve loved him from very early in the process.

With Sinnott, Washington finally takes a strong tight end prospect in the draft for the first time in ages.

In-Draft Trade: Washington sends 100 and 152 to the Rams for 88. Per the Rich Hill Trade Chart, this and incredibly even trade. LA’s pick is worth 47 pts compared to the 47 points of Washington’ picks. This trade was made because the talent below had slipped, and definitely wasn’t going to make it to 100.

Round 3, Pick 88 (from LA Rams) – Adisa Isaac, EDGE (Penn State)

The defense gets some help. From Isaac’s draft profile:

Isaac has refined technique. His play allows him to line up from different alignments and from two-point and three-point stances. He has scheme versatility due to his length and how he uses his hands to beat blocks (long arm stab, rip, swim and swipe rush techniques), defending the run and rushing the passer.

He’s most effective when dictating engagement and attacking blockers with good aggression. At times, he plays upright and high at the point of contact, limiting his power and ability to disengage from blocks. He struggled with misdirection schemes by getting caught in between his reads. I saw this several times vs. Michigan in 2023. He either lost contain or worked too far up the field and opened a big lane inside of him.

Isaac isn’t as dynamic an edge pass rusher as his counterpart, Chop Robinson. He has average get-off and quick-twitch athleticism.

Overall, Isaac is a solid prospect with his ability to defend the run and rush the passer. Still, he lacks elite explosiveness, which correlates to him being a solid Day 2 Pick. He will have a chance to contribute in his first year, likely part of a rotation. He has the potential to become a quality starter with improved speed, quickness and further refinement of his technique.

Round 3, Pick 100 (from SF for Chase Young) (traded to LA)

Round 5, Pick 139

Round 5, Pick 152 (traded to LA)

Round 7, Pick 222

I look forward to your thoughts in the comments below:

Draft Progression: (Day 1 picks can be found here; Day 2 picks can be found here)

Round 4

1. Carolina
2. Seattle
3. New England
4. Miami
5. LA Chargers
6. Tennessee
7. NY Giants
8. Minnesota
9. Pittsburgh
10. LA Chargers
11. NY Jets
12. NY Giants
13. Baltimore
14. Jacksonville
15. Las Vegas
16. Jacksonville
17. Indianapolis
18. Seattle
19. Pittsburgh
20. Tennessee
21. Denver
22. Chicago
23. Houston
24. San Francisco
25. Tampa Bay
26. Green Bay
27. Houston
28. Buffalo
29. Minnesota
30. Baltimore
31. Arizona
32. San Francisco
33. Buffalo
34. NY Jets
35. San Francisco

Round 5

1. Denver
2. New England
3. Miami
4. Washington
5. LA Chargers
6. Carolina
7. Carolina
8. Atlanta
9. Buffalo
10. Miami
11. Tennessee
12. Denver
13. Las Vegas
14. Cincinnati
15. Miami
16. Indianapolis
17. LA Rams
18. Jacksonville
19. LA Rams
20. LA Rams
21. Cleveland
22. Minnesota
23. Tennessee
24. Chicago
25. Buffalo
26. Philadelphia
27. Arizona
28. Buffalo
29. Denver
30. Baltimore
31. NY Giants
32. Minnesota
33. New Orleans
34. Green Bay
35. Miami
36. Philadelphia
37. Philadelphia
38. Kansas City
39. Kansas City
40. New Orleans
41. San Francisco

Round 6

1. Minnesota
2. Pittsburgh
3. Seattle
4. New England
5. LA Chargers
6. Tennessee
7. Miami
8. Las Vegas
9. NY Jets
10. Miami
11. Pittsburgh
12. Houston
13. Houston
14. Tennessee
15. Indianapolis
16. Seattle
17. New England
18. Cincinnati
19. Pittsburgh
20. LA Rams
21. Atlanta
22. Miami
23. Miami
24. Buffalo
25. Detroit
26. Green Bay
27. Denver
28. Buffalo
29. Detroit
30. Cleveland
31. Denver
32. Arizona
33. LA Rams
34. Philadelphia
35. San Francisco
36. Jacksonville
37. LA Rams
38. Cincinnati
39. San Francisco
40. Dallas
41. LA Rams
42. Baltimore
43. Green Bay
44. Tampa Bay

Round 7

1. Kansas City
2. Washington
3. Chicago
4. Cincinnati
5. LA Chargers
6. Arizona
7. Tennessee
8. Baltimore
9. Miami
10. Minnesota
11. New England
12. Minnesota
13. Dallas
14. Indianapolis
15. Seattle
16. Jacksonville
17. Cincinnati
18. Houston
19. Tennessee
20. Carolina
21. Pittsburgh
22. Tennessee
23. Cleveland
24. Dallas
25. Green Bay
26. Tampa Bay
27. Houston
28. Buffalo
29. Detroit
30. Baltimore
31. San Francisco
32. Tennessee
33. LA Chargers
34. LA Rams
35. Green Bay
36. NY Jets
37. NY Jets