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The top of the 2024 NFL Draft may have just become a lot clearer.
The Chicago Bears are widely expected to use the No. 1 overall pick on USC quarterback Caleb Williams. But what comes after that is much more up in the air.
Or, should we say, was.
The Washington Commanders made a big trade on Thursday that sent quarterback Sam Howell and a pair of mid-round NFL Draft picks to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for two slightly higher mid-round picks.
The Commanders have traded QB Sam Howell, a 4th-round pick (No. 102) and 6th-round pick (No. 179) to Seattle for a 3rd-rounder (No. 78) and a 5th-rounder (No. 152), per source.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 14, 2024
Washington selected Howell in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft and he became the team’s full-time starter in 2023.
But Howell was inconsistent at best, throwing for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns and an NFL-leading 21 interceptions. That led many to wonder if the Commanders would persist with the 23-year-old as their quarterback of the future.
Now it’s clear that the answer to that question is a resounding “no.”
Trading Howell makes it apparent that Washington will almost assuredly use the No. 2 overall pick to target a quarterback.
Commanders Will Have Their Pick Of QBs In NFL Draft After Sam Howell Trade
Who is that quarterback?
Well, opinions are split.
Drake Maye, who took over for Howell at the University of North Carolina, has been QB2 in the majority of mock drafts dating back to early 2023.
But Heisman Trophy-winner Jayden Daniels of LSU has since emerged as a challenger for the spot, with other names such as JJ McCarthy of Michigan and Michael Penix Jr. of Washington as darkhorse candidates.
Drake Maye is the pick https://t.co/5mAgp4GWJg
— Mumbo Sauce Sports (@MumboSauceSport) March 14, 2024
Jayden Daniels, you are a Commander https://t.co/lhSEDOLqfX
— Jake Ciely (@allinkid) March 14, 2024
Washington did recently sign veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota to one-year contract. So Mariota could, in theory, serve as a veteran starter to help ease in whoever the pick is at No. 2.
Although the last time Mariota served as a starter in front of a big-name rookie, it resulted in him leaving the Atlanta Falcons in the middle of the season after he was benched.
So maybe that’s not the best idea?
Either way, the Commanders have clearly signaled their intent to draft a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick.