2024 NFL Mock Draft: Washington Commanders Take All-American OT
By trading pass rushers Montez Sweat and Chase Young in advance of this week's trade deadline -- landing second and third-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, respectively -- the Washington Commanders turned their focus to the future of the team.
Given that the Commanders are 3-5, new owner Josh Harris may choose to dismiss coach Ron Rivera and general manager Martin Mayhew this offseason, leaving a new regime to inherit a pretty good haul of picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Whoever is in charge of football operations for the Commanders next April will likely need to use multiple top selections to bolster what's been a disastrous offensive line. Quarterback Sam Howell perhaps hasn't solidified him as the team's long-term starting quarterback, but he's shown some flashes despite getting sacked a staggering 41 times in eight games. Even if Howell doesn't end up being the starter in D.C. for the next decade, fixing the team's ability to protect the passer is clearly the No. 1 need for the Commanders.
Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt could be a fit for the Washington Commanders in the 2024 NFL Mock Draft.
USA Today
To that end, Yahoo! Sports recently released a new 2024 NFL Mock Draft, and they unsurprisingly have the Commanders taking an offensive linemen at No. 10, going with Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt.
Alt is a mountain of a man, standing a 6-7, 280 pounds. The North Oaks, Minnesota native was a First-Team All-American in 2022, his sophomore season with the Irish. Assuming the junior does indeed enter the 2024 NFL Draft, he would seemingly be the exact type of prospect for Washington to rebuild their offensive line with.
It will be interesting to see how quickly Washington is able to turn their offensive line over, and potentially make it into a strength. They have quite a bit of talent elsewhere on their offense, with Howell, running back Brian Robinson Jr. and receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. With one or two right moves along the offensive line, Washington could be a contender in 2024.
Interestingly, assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was on the Kansas City Chiefs staff when they rebuilt their offensive line following a 31-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV. Coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach did so using a combination of free agent moves (left guard Joe Thuney) and the NFL Draft (center Creed Humphrey). Perhaps then, it would make sense for Washington to still have Bieniemy in the picture in 2024, whether it's in his current role or as the successor to Rivera.
