Jayden Daniels Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders make surprising decision in Mel Kiper's first 2024 mock draft

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 1/23/24

ESPN NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. unveiled his first mock draft for 2024 on Tuesday, and it didn't take long for him to deliver a surprise.

At No. 2 overall, he has the Commanders selecting 2023 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels. Most other mock drafts to this point have paired North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with Washington, but Kiper has Maye falling to third where he's picked by the Patriots.

"The bottom line is it's tight between Daniels and Maye," wrote Kiper, explaining he gave the edge to Daniels partly due to "Maye's inconsistency at the end of the season."

While Daniels was excellent throughout the year, to Kiper's point, Maye only completed 56.9 percent of his passes in North Carolina's last seven games in 2023.

Kiper admits that until the Commanders hire a head coach, anything is possible for them regarding the draft. But ESPN's Commanders reporter John Keim noted he "could see" Washington selecting Daniels.

Mel with his mock on ESPN+. Do not assume it will be Maye at no. 2. Mel went with Daniels. Could see that happening. https://t.co/z6HbuEMbFT
— John Keim (@john_keim) January 23, 2024

Per the Washington Post, the Commanders held virtual interviews last week with Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, Ravens assistant head coach and defensive line coach Anthony Weaver and defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald for their head-coaching opening.

The team also had an in-person interview with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, and Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is scheduled for an in-person interview on Tuesday, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

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