While the Washington Commanders have maintained that they do not expect to make a major splash at the quarterback position this offseason, the team continues to evaluate college quarterbacks ahead of the 2023 NFL draft.
Washington hosted Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker on a top-30 visit. Hooker is expected to be the fifth quarterback selected due to his suffering a knee injury late in the 2022 season. Hooker could go anywhere from the late first round to the second round.
Another quarterback Washington has taken an interest in is Louisville’s Malik Cunningham. No, Cunningham isn’t Lamar Jackson, but he’s a dynamic dual-threat passer who could be available on day three of the 2023 NFL draft. With many teams employing RPOs, quarterbacks like Cunningham are now popular players.
According to Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network, the Commanders are among the teams who have met with Cunningham.
Louisville QB Malik Cunningham has met with the Commanders, Patriots, Raiders, Ravens, and Colts, a source said.
Dual-threat talent that threw for 9,660 yards // 70 TDs and ran for 3,179 // 50 TDs during his time for the Cardinals. pic.twitter.com/9u3qwExyHI
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) April 10, 2023
The 6-foot-0, 192-pound Cunningham was a four-year starter for the Cardinals, passing for over 9,000 yards with 70 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. Cunningham rushed for over 3,000 yards and 50 touchdowns.
With Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett entrenched as Washington’s top two quarterbacks, Cunningham would be a nice developmental addition to the Commanders’ quarterback room.