Quarterback Draft: Will Washington Commanders Help Make History?

Never have four quarterbacks been picked to start a draft but the Washington Commanders ould help change that this year.

By Bri Amaranthus

Mar 1, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Louisiana State quarterback Jayden Daniels (QB01) talks to the
Mar 1, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Louisiana State quarterback Jayden Daniels (QB01) talks to the / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Talented NFL quarterbacks are always in demand. The 2024 NFL Draft is only weeks away and will have a chance to make history. There has never been four quarterbacks drafted with the first four pick: Nos. 1-4. 

The record holder for most quarterbacks selected in the first round goes to the 1983 NFL Draft, when six quarterbacks were picked off the board. It’s also possibly the best quarterbacks class of all time with three Hall-Of-Famers and two of the highest-regarded quarterbacks ever. John Elway, Jim Kelly, Ken O'Brien and Dan Marino defined the NFL in the 1990s. 

Fast-forward to this season and there are six quarterbacks who could fly off the board in the first round, which would tie the record for most early signal-callers. 

Quarterback Jayden Daniels 5 as the LSU Tigers take on Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium in Baton
Quarterback Jayden Daniels 5 as the LSU Tigers take on Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium in Baton / SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network / USA

The most-popular among mock drafts and the betting favorites order is: No. 1 Caleb Williams to the Chicago Bears, No. 2 Jayden Daniels to the Washington Commanders and No. 3 Drake Maye to the New England Patriots. 

The Heisman Trophy winner Daniels will visit Washington Monday. His dual-threat ability makes him a dangerous fit with new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. 

After the first three, top quarterbacks remaining on the board include J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix and Bo Nix. 

The Arizona Cardinals pick at No. 4 and the Los Angeles Chargers pick and No. 5 … Both which could receive plenty of calls from teams looking to move up for McCarthy. The Minnesota Vikings trade with the Chargers to draft McCarthy in Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft. The Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders also are in the market for a quarterback of the future. 

Penix and Nix could be excellent later first round selections for teams like the New York Giants or Los Angeles Rams. New York’s Daniel Jones and Los Angeles’ 36-year-old Matthew Stafford may need replacements. 

The Vikings are arguably the best situation for a rookie quarterback. Minnesota lost Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons but still have star playmakers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson. 

History-making or not, this year’s first round is expected to be quarterback heavy and the Commanders will be in the thick of it.