NFL rumors: Commanders turning away QB-interested teams trying to trade for No. 2 overall pick

The Commanders seem to be sticking at No. 2 in the draft The Washington Commanders are reportedly telling teams that they are not moving out of the No. 2 spot in the upcoming NFL Draft, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic.

Commanders general manager Adam Peters recently said in a press conference addressing the upcoming NFL Draft that he feels good about staying at the No. 2 slot and selecting a quarterback. It is not surprising, given Adam Peters’ public comments, but now it seems like the top two picks will be quarterbacks by the Chicago Bears and Commanders.

The Las Vegas Raiders reportedly are one of the teams that called and tried to trade for the No. 2 pick with the Commanders, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

Peters traded last year’s starting quarterback, Sam Howell, to the Seattle Seahawks. Marcus Mariota is currently the top quarterback on the team’s depth chart. It makes all of the sense in the world for the Commanders to pick a rookie quarterback and potentially have that player sit behind Marcus Mariota until he is ready to take over.

This makes the New England Patriots with the No. 3 pick in the draft the biggest question mark. It seems like the most likely option is that they stay there and take a quarterback as well, but there have been reports that they are taking calls and are open to potentially moving back. It will be interesting to see what they eventually do. It might depend on who the Bears and Commanders select with the No. 2 pick.

What are the Commanders’ options with the No. 2 pick?

The Bears are viewed as all but certain to select Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday. That leaves a number of options for the Commanders with the No. 2 pick, which as stated above, they are expected to keep. The conceivable options that are there for the Commanders are Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and JJ McCarthy.

As of right now, the majority expect that the Commanders will select LSU’s Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick. It is not as much of a lock as many believe Williams going to the Bears it, but it is the general expectation. Daniels put together a great 2023 season with LSU, winning the Heisman Trophy. He put up great numbers passing and with his legs. He is a true dual-threat quarterback.

Drake Maye is very much in play as well. He displayed a ton of upside in his time at North Carolina. He has the prototypical size and arm strength that teams usually love in a prospect. Some have concerns about his consistency, but he should go early in the draft, if not to the Commanders at No. 2.

JJ McCarthy’s stock has risen over the last few months since winning a national championship with Michigan. He has knowledge of NFL concepts from playing under Jim Harbaugh. It would be a mild surprise if the Commanders took him at No. 2, but not a complete shock.