NFL Draft countdown: Focus on Commanders' first-round pick at No. 2

The 2024 NFL Draft is now two days away. Washington holds the No. 2 pick this year and most experts believe they're focused on a pair of talented quarterbacks.

Field Yates (ESPN): Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner has been linked to the Commanders for some time. Rightfully so, according to Yates.

“The Commanders can land their quarterback of the present and future here with Daniels, the most dynamic dual-threat signal-caller the draft has seen in a while. Daniels' calm demeanor in LSU's biggest moments last season gives me confidence he will make a smoother transition to the NFL than most rookie passers.”

In his final three games as a Tiger, Daniels threw for 1,020 yards with 13 touchdowns and no interceptions. As a two-year starter, he had 6,725 yards passing and 57 touchdowns with another 2,019 and 21 scores on the ground.

Of course, thirteen years ago, Washington used a No. 2 pick to take a dynamic dual-threat signal-caller named Robert Griffin III. Unfortunately, things didn’t go so well but Yates seems to have more faith in Daniels.

Dave Helman (Fox Sports): Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Helman remains skeptical.

“If I'm wrong, then I'm wrong. But I just don't buy the Jayden Daniels smoke with Washington. I think Drake Maye's tantalizing upside makes him worth the investment at No. 2, and I'm not going to let pre-draft smokescreens throw me off.”

He may have a point. If the Commanders were sold on Daniels, there would be no reason to bring him in with 21 other prospects including quarterbacks like J.J. McCarthy and Drake Maye for group meetings, something that didn't sit well with Daniels' camp.