Commanders land 3 new starters in latest Mel Kiper 2-round mock draft

Offensive lineman Jordan Morgan #77 of the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of the NCAAF game at Arizona Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

We are just over two weeks away from the 2024 NFL draft. On Wednesday, the original draft expert, Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN, released his fourth mock draft of the year, this time a two-round edition.

The Chicago Bears hold the No. 1 overall pick, but there is little mystery surrounding them at this point. USC quarterback Caleb Williams is virtually a lock to Chicago at this point.

The fun begins with the Washington Commanders at No. 2 overall. We know Washington is picking a quarterback. While the Commanders haven’t told us that, their offseason moves make it clear.

In Kiper’s mock draft 4.0, he is sticking with his previous pick for Washington at No. 2 — LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.

I’m sticking with Daniels, whom I’ve projected to the Commanders in my three previous mock drafts. Why? I have him ranked higher than Drake Maye (North Carolina) and J.J. McCarthy (Michigan) and really like his fit in an offense designed by Kliff Kingsbury.

Washington traded away 2023 starter Sam Howell last month, clearing a spot for a rookie quarterback to take the reins. Daniels, who produced more than 15,000 combined passing and rushing yards at Arizona State and LSU, has all the tools to be a Pro Bowl passer. The Commanders need to keep building the infrastructure around him, though, and they have four picks on Day 2 — two in the second round, two in the third — to help.

Kiper sticks to Washington’s needs at No. 36 overall, mocking Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan to the Commanders.

With Charles Leno Jr. released this offseason, the Commanders have a hole at left tackle. Morgan started 35 games there in college. His tape is extremely consistent — in both the pass and run games, he rarely blew his assignments.

While some people think Morgan may be better at guard in the NFL, many in the NFL believe he will be just fine at tackle.

For Washington’s third pick, No. 40 overall, Kiper has them finding some help in the secondary with cornerback Max Melton of Rutgers.

Now that I gave the Commanders their quarterback and left tackle of the future, it’s time to focus on the defense. They ranked last in the league in passing yards allowed to receivers (3,167) and lost Kendall Fuller in free agency. Melton was one of my risers after the combine. The four-year starter has the physical traits to be an early contributor.

I would expect Washington to target a wide receiver here. However, general manager Adam Peters may like the depth of the class and choose to use one of the Commanders’ three third-round choices to address the position.

Melton would thrive in Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt’s defense.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders land 3 new starters in latest Mel Kiper 2-round mock draft