Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

NFL Rumors: Commanders to Host Daniels, Maye, McCarthy, Penix Jr. as 1 Group Visit

Adam Wells

The Washington Commanders are putting together a masterclass in making sure no one knows which quarterback they prefer with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Per The MMQB's Albert Breer, the Commanders are hosting Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr. as part of a large group of prospects coming in together for top-30 visits on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Breer noted the group will spend Tuesday night at Topgolf before going to the team facility on Wednesday:

If the Commanders stay in the No. 2 spot, it seems like McCarthy, Maye or Daniels will be their top targets. If they really like Penix, trading down to accrue more picks and getting him later in the first round.

Even though Penix is generally regarded as a lower-tier prospect than the other three quarterbacks, there's been growing speculation he could still end up being selected in the top half of the first round.

Quarterback-needy teams like the Denver Broncos (No. 12) and Las Vegas Raiders (No. 13) could have interest in Penix if he is available.

B/R's NFL scouting department has Penix ranked as the 84th-best prospect overall in the 2024 draft. For comparison, McCarthy is 30 spots ahead of him at No. 54. Maye is the top-ranked quarterback (No. 3 overall), with Daniels coming in at No. 29.

During a recent appearance on the Trap or Dive podcast (starts at 17:40 mark), ESPN's Adam Schefter said his belief is the Commanders are leaning toward Daniels with the pick.

On the April 10 episode of the Move the Sticks podcast (h/t Brendan O'Sullivan of Sporting News), NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah said everything he has heard from people around the NFL is the Commanders are "sticking and picking" whoever the quarterback they prefer.

There has been growing buzz that McCarthy could play his way into being the No. 2 pick by the Commanders.

All of this reads like a potential smoke screen from the Commanders just to see what the best potential trade offer they might be able to get by indicating they like all four quarterbacks.

There's also the possibility there's not much separation between these four players that the Commanders will be happy no matter what.

They don't necessarily need to add more picks in a trade, as they currently own nine selections with six in the top 100, but they could also completely fill out the foundation of their roster by trading down to add another pick or two in the top 100—or even a future first-round selection—and still getting a quarterback later in the first round.

Everything is on the table for the Commanders right now with new general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn preparing for their first draft with the organization.

   

Read 221 Comments

Download the app for comments Get the B/R app to join the conversation

Install the App
×
Bleacher Report
(120K+)