Commanders Secure No. 2 Pick with Loss to Cowboys: 3 Players Washington Can Draft
The Washington Commanders ended the season with a 38-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday inside FedEx Field, watching as America's Team clinched the NFC East title.
It marks Washington's eighth consecutive loss and likely brings an end to coach Ron Rivera's four-year tenure - but not all is gloom and doom.
With the defeat, the Commanders secured the No. 2 overall pick in April's draft, their highest selection since sitting in the same spot in 2020.
The Commanders began Rivera's era by drafting defensive end Chase Young at No. 2 overall. They dealt Young to the San Francisco 49ers at this year's trade deadline, closing his injury-riddled time in Washington prematurely.
Can the Commanders' next coach start with a better selection?
ClutchPoints
Here are three players who'd fit the bill ...
USC quarterback Caleb Williams
Largely viewed as the favorite to be the draft's No. 1 overall pick, there's no guarantee Williams makes it to the Commanders' selection, unless they trade up with the Chicago Bears.
But if Williams is available, Washington will have the chance to select the class's top signal caller and bring a D.C. native back home.
Sam Howell began the season with encouraging flashes under center but endured a difficult closing stretch. Williams, if available, would be a home-run solution for the Commanders with his athleticism, arm talent and Heisman pedigree.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye
Maye has been the name most frequently brought up around Williams dating back to last summer when discussing the draft's best quarterbacks, and he's likely the early favorite for Washington.
A native of Huntersville, North Carolina, Maye doesn't have the hometown allure of Williams, but he's a similarly impressive passer. The 21-year-old completed 63.3 percent of his attempts for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 12 games this past season.
Should Williams nor Maye be the route Washington goes at quarterback, LSU's Jayden Daniels, the reigning Heisman winner, is considered the next best answer under center.
Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu
What if the Commanders choose to pass on a quarterback at No. 2 overall? It certainly seems unlikely - but there's a realm where Washington isn't fully sold on any of the top passers and instead opts for a veteran in Year 1 of a potential new regime.
Of course, in such a situation, trading down to a quarterback-needy team is quite the possibility ... but if not, Fashanu presents a quality blend of production and potential.
The 6-6, 317-pound Fashanu didn't allow a sack from his left tackle position this year and was named the Rimington-Pace Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year award winner.
In a sense, Fashanu represents a Young-esque approach, opting for a highly touted prospect at a premium position while passing on quarterbacks in favor of a veteran option.
And like Williams, Fashanu comes Washington D.C., another potential plus as the franchise seeks to start fresh.
