When the Washington Commanders hired Kliff Kingsbury as their new offensive coordinator, speculation immediately began that they would target USC quarterback Caleb Williams in the 2024 NFL draft.
There’s a problem with that scenario: Williams is expected to go No. 1 overall, and the Chicago Bears hold the top selection. All indications are the Bears are expected to select Williams No. 1 unless another team offers “historic” compensation to move up and take the former Heisman Trophy winner.
Yes, Williams has a close relationship with Kingsbury, who worked with him in 2023 as an analyst at USC, but the Commanders have no control here.
So, while Kingsbury may want to coach Williams, he and the Commanders have two terrific prospects to choose from at No. 2 if the Bears select Williams: UNC quarterback Drake Maye and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Kingsbury didn’t take the Washington job thinking he could coach Williams. He understood the situation and must like at least one of either Maye or Daniels.
In his opening press conference last week, Kingsbury revealed nothing. What type of quarterback does he want? “The Chiefs quarterback,” he joked, referring to Patrick Mahomes, who he coached at Texas Tech.
Between Daniels or Maye, which quarterback could Kingsbury prefer?
That’s difficult to answer because the pre-draft process is full of misdirections and untruths. But a new mock draft from Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network could give a hint potential hint about Washington’s plans.
Time will tell as to what Washington ultimately does here, but I don’t envision them getting cute if they stay and take a QB. The popular pick is LSU’s Jayden Daniels. Still, conversations within league circles have reiterated that OC Kliff Kingsbury isn’t looking to utilize a QB as a major portion of his run game—thus detaching Washington from Daniels. Maye is immediately the most talented QB Washington has had since taking Robert Griffin III back in 2012.
Fowler notes the popular pick is Daniels, but that’s not necessarily true. Most are split between Maye and Daniels for the Commanders. Kingsbury clearly wants mobility in his quarterback, which both provide. However, no one is in Daniels’ league as a runner.
When Fowler says Washington may not want to utilize the quarterback “as a major portion” of the run game, that does clearly point you to Williams or Maye ahead of Daniels. Don’t let that thought process fool you, though. Daniels is an outstanding passer, too.
With the Bears expected to take Williams, the Commanders essentially control the rest of the draft from the No. 2 spot.