November 24, 2019 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn (right) confers with assistant head coach Raheem Morris as Morris calls a defense against the Buccaneers during the second half in a NFL football game on Sunday, November 24, 2019, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
NFL draft 2024: Washington Commanders could be targeting Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy with No. 2 pick
The Washington Commanders currently possess the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, and they are expected to select a quarterback.
“I would say it’d be fair to envision we’d be taking a quarterback,” Washington head coach Dan Quinn told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The Chicago Bears, with the No. 1 pick, are widely expected to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams. The Commanders are expected to choose from LSU’s Jayden Daniels or North Carolina’s Drake Maye.
However, a report from Pelissero indicated the Commanders could surprise many by selecting Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the pick.
“When I’ve had conversations here, with executives from other teams that know (new Commanders GM) Adam Peters well and know the situation well,” Pelissero said. “The most popular answer for what they do at No. 2 is J.J. McCarthy.”
McCarthy was considered a mid-to-late first-round pick during the season, but his stock increased after leading the Michigan Wolverines to an unbeaten season and national championship. In addition, strong performances at the NFL Scouting Combine and Michigan’s Pro Day has boosted McCarthy’s stock even more.
Quinn’s vagueness on when or who the Commanders would select a quarterback adds some intrigue to their plans during the draft. There have been reports the Commanders are also taking calls for other teams looking to move up in the draft.
The Minnesota Vikings, who lost Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, are in need of a quarterback. They acquired Sam Darnold, but he’s not viewed as a long-term solution. The Vikings, who currently possess the Nos. 11 and 23 picks, could package those picks and trade up.
The New York Giants, with the No. 6 pick, seems to have soured on Daniel Jones and might be interested in Daniels or Maye. They’ve also been connected to McCarthy.
The Denver Broncos, who released Russell Wilson earlier this month, have Jarrett Stidham as the only quarterback currently on their roster. However, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick and they would need to trade up if they wanted either Daniels or Maye.
