Commanders 2024 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Drake Maye selection jumpstarts a franchise reset in Washington

The Washington Commanders had a disappointing NFL season in 2023. They finished with a non-winning record for the seventh consecutive season and failed to make the playoffs for the third year in a row. During the season, the team replaced their offensive coordinator and fired their defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.

The Commanders also parted ways with head coach Ron Rivera after the season ended. Moreover, the team now holds the longest active playoff win drought in the NFC and the third-longest in the NFL.

Washington Commanders get their franchise quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft

The winds will begin to shift again in D.C. as the Commanders are primed to reset as a franchise with a new owner, coach and quarterback.

After being benched in 2023, Sam Howell became an afterthought. In comes Drake Maye's ability to extend plays and accurately deliver the ball. Those instincts will make up for the young and inexperienced offensive line that the team hopes to build on later in this draft. When it comes to extending plays, take a look at this highlight below:

At the 2023 trade deadline, Washington traded away both of their starting edge players. Now, the players who filled their roles are hitting free agency, and Washington has no experienced edge defenders under contract.

Darius Robinson provides a high snap count floor with his versatile alignment abilities. He also provides an extremely high ceiling with his athleticism.

Commanders begin adding strength and depth to their offensive line

It's essential to have a solid offensive line to protect your new franchise quarterback and help him develop. While the Commanders have fine players at tackle and one of the guard spots, they still need a reliable center. Frazier is a top-30 talent in his class and would be an excellent addition to the team. With Frazier at center, the Commanders can create a solid foundation to develop their young quarterback, Drake Maye.

Nickle corner Kendall Fuller is scheduled to hit free agency. The team invested a first-round pick in cornerback Emmanuel Forbes last year, but the defensive back group needs stability. Jones is a versatile defender who will excel in the slot. He has concerns with his athleticism, particularly when backpedaling, but as long as he plays exclusively as a nickel, he will be fantastic.

The Commanders continue their pursuit of retooling the trenches, this time with guard Zak Zinter, a staple of the notorious championship Michigan offensive line. This selection solidifies the offensive line across all five spots for Drake Maye.

Wide receiver Curtis Samuel is heading to free agency, and the Commanders upgrade from him here. Corley catches a lot of comparisons to Deebo Samuel, but he also compares well to Curtis Samuel. Malachi Corley excels around the line of scrimmage, giving the quarterback an excellent dump-off read.

The Commanders need more depth and talent on the edge. Nonetheless, it would be wise for them to understand that constructing a solid defense will take several years, not just one offseason. Their priority should be to build a strong foundation around their franchise quarterback while also taking chances on promising talent in the later rounds of the draft.

Murphy's profile is noteworthy due to his extensive experience and high floor, both of which make him an ideal choice for an early contributor.

Halfback Antonio Gibson is scheduled for free agency, leaving Brian Robinson and Chris Rodriguez Jr as the holdovers in the halfback room. Both are similar because they are high-workload rushers operating between the hashes. Gore Jr brings an elusive element to the backfield and will likely become a fan favorite for his new team.

Washington has three tight ends, starring Logan Thomas, whom they can roll into 2024. However, Thomas is in his mid-30s, and his availability is inconsistent at best. Jared Wiley is a one-for-one replacement in the mold of Logan Thomas himself.