The Washington Commanders wield significant influence with the No. 2 pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, leaving the New England Patriots in a position of uncertainty regarding which quarterback prospect they might select. This situation is well understood by New England’s head coach Jerod Mayo, while Washington has remained secretive about their preference for a signal-caller prospect. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Jayden Daniels appears to be the frontrunner, although various mock drafts suggest Drake Maye as the potential choice. Additionally, NFL executives speculate that J.J. McCarthy could also be in consideration.
Reports from FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano indicate that many sources doubt Maye will be available beyond the Commanders’ pick, suggesting that interest in Daniels and McCarthy might be diversionary tactics. However, it’s plausible that the purported interest in Maye could also be a smokescreen, as several teams reportedly hold high regard for him. If Washington indeed selects Maye, the Patriots would have to decide between Daniels and McCarthy. New England has extensively evaluated Daniels, but there’s also interest in the Michigan product, with director of scouting Eliot Wolf reportedly advocating strongly for him. Both quarterback prospects are scheduled to visit Foxboro, Massachusetts this month for pre-draft assessments.
Although circumstances can evolve, the diverse speculations surrounding the Commanders’ intentions with the second overall pick highlight why they are the team to closely monitor in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
