The Washington Commanders have a franchise-altering decision ahead of them when they step to the podium at the 2024 NFL Draft.
And it is now a coin flip for whom they will select with the No. 2 pick, with the overwhelming expectation being that the Commanders draft a quarterback.
North Carolina Tar Heels signal caller Drake Maye’s edge on LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels has evaporated, as Caesars Sportsbook places them both at -115 to be drafted as the No. 2 overall selection.
The opening odds for this market began with Maye at -180 and Daniels at +200 on Caesars.
But with Caleb Williams seemingly a sure thing at No. 1 (-2000, FanDuel), when the Chicago Bears make their selection, the likelihood of Maye or Daniels usurping the Trojans quarterback seems faint.
This leaves the two other quarterbacks, Daniels and Maye, to lead the Commanders for years to come.
Former ESPN analyst Merril Hoge has been outspoken in his criticism of Maye, saying he is not a first-round quarterback but instead a project.
“He’s extremely inconsistent. His processing is inconsistent. He’s not extremely athletic, I find him more stiff,” Hoge said. “He’s got a longer throwing motion, which allows more picks.”
That doesn’t necessarily mean that the Commanders are of the same mindset as Hoge is on Maye, who has been compared by some to Chargers star Justin Herbert.
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The debate will rage on for seven more weeks as the Commanders hone in on a new star of a franchise that has been bereft of talent for the better part of the millennium.
Washington’s 158-227-2 record since 2000 is the fifth worst among all NFL teams, behind only the Browns, Lions, Jaguars and Raiders.
Perhaps the most recent time they had a star quarterback was Robert Griffin III, but it seems they’re hopeful either Maye or Daniels can break that trend.