The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp’s 2024 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren’s deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as draft class analysis from Ryan McCrystal. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2024 Football Preview.
With 2024 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to understand how 2024 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.
Let’s look at the Washington Commanders, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
Who are the Washington Commanders rookies?
- Jayden Daniels — QB — Round 1
- Jer’Zhan Newton — DT — Round 2
- Mike Sainristil — CB — Round 2
- Ben Sinnott — TE — Round 2
- Brandon Coleman — OG — Round 3
- Luke McCaffrey — WR — Round 3
- Jordan Magee — LB — Round 5
- Dominique Hampton — S — Round 5
- Javontae Jean–Baptiste — EDGE — Round 7
Washington Commanders Draft Class Grade:
The Washington Commanders received an A draft grade from Sharp Football.
Which Commanders Rookies Will Make An Impact?
The Commanders offense will certainly look different with Jayden Daniels (first round) leading the way. Daniels’ athleticism is special 一 probably the closest thing to Lamar Jackson to enter the league since Jackson in 2018. The question Daniels faces is whether can he process under pressure.
In 2023, Daniels either took a sack or scrambled in 48% of his dropbacks under pressure (23% sack rate, 25% scramble rate). Obviously, some of that scrambling ability will carry over, but far too many of his attempts to extend plays ended in negative plays for the offense. It’s also worth mentioning Daniels’ bad habit of taking brutal hits. His aggressive style is appreciated in moments, but his slender frame cannot continue to take the beating he subjected it to in college.
Jer’Zhan Newton (second round) only fell out of Day 1 due to injury concerns, but he has an elite ceiling as an interior pass rusher if he can stay on the field. Newton generated an 11.9% pressure rate last year, the fourth-best rate among interior linemen. Defensive tackle was not a need in Washington due to the presence of Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen, but taking a best-available approach was easily justified for a franchise in rebuilding mode.
Undersized Mike Sainristil (second round) is probably a slot-only corner but could compete for the starting job in that role immediately. Sainristil flashed some big-play ability at Michigan, but his overall production was inconsistent, ranking 10th out of 21 Big Ten defensive backs in yards per coverage snap allowed in the slot.
Ben Sinnott (second round) is a well-rounded weapon at tight end who may put up bigger numbers in the pros in a more pass-heavy scheme than he was in at Kansas State. Sinnott’s career catch rate was 5.2% above expected based on route-adjusted data and 11.5% above expected in 2023. Kansas State runs a conservative passing attack, so Sinnott did not see a ton of action downfield, but he did catch 22 of his 24 catchable targets at 15 or more yards downfield during his career. Zach Ertz might be the starter to open the season, but expect Sinnott to step into that job sooner rather than later.
The Commanders took a gamble on Brandon Coleman (third round), who was inconsistent during his career at TCU and will turn 24 during his rookie year. Coleman has long arms and tested well, so he could develop into a starter on the offensive line down the road. Coleman played tackle and guard at TCU, so he could step into a starting role at either position in 2025.
Luke McCaffrey (third round) looks like a potential steal and could start immediately in the slot. The former quarterback has just two years of experience at receiver but was remarkably refined in his fundamentals given his inexperience.
In 2023 at Rice, McCaffrey’s route-adjusted catch rate was 9.9% above expected. He also hauled in 26 of 28 catchable targets at 10 or more yards downfield. Dyami Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Jamison Crowder will push McCaffrey for snaps, but expect him to see significant action as a rookie.
Jordan Magee (fifth round) joins a crowded depth chart at linebacker and likely sees the majority of his action on special teams. He played on every special teams unit throughout his career at Temple, so it should be an easy transition. Dominique Hampton (fifth round) is an oversized safety with Jeremy Chinn-like traits, making him a good backup to Chinn in Washington. Javontae Jean-Baptiste (seventh round) only has one year of starting experience at Notre Dame after being buried on the depth chart at Ohio State for the majority of his career.
The Commanders appeared to take a best-available approach throughout the majority of the draft, which was certainly justifiable given the state of the roster. The only questionable decision was the lack of pass-rush talent added to what appears to be one of the league’s worst units. Since Washington will be relying on a lot of these rookies in 2024, expect to see some growing pains, but in the long run, this class could prove to be a solid foundation for the future.
This analysis continues in the 2024 Football Preview
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