Reporter addresses Commanders possibly trading down in NFL Draft

While whispers continue to suggest the New England Patriots are willing to sell the third overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft for a handful of assets, NFC East reporter Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports wrote for a piece published Tuesday afternoon that fans shouldn't "bet on" the Washington Commanders trading out of the draft's second overall selection. 

Specifically, Vacchiano seemed to pour cold water over the idea that Washington could move down in the draft order and target Michigan Wolverines signal-caller J.J. McCarthy. 

McCarthy has repeatedly been mocked to the New York Giants at pick No. 6, but it's thought the Minnesota Vikings could move up to No. 5 to steal McCarthy from Big Blue. 

"The problem comes when scouts are asked what he does great," Vacchiano said about McCarthy. "Few have much of an answer to that. In fact, several used the term 'game manager' when describing him, which hardly seems to be a trait worthy of a top-five pick. Teams can win with a quarterback like that ... But the second overall pick is a place for a special prospect."

As for the Commanders possibly trading down with McCarthy in mind, Vacchiano indicated that new Washington general manager Adam Peters and new team owner Josh Harris wouldn't sign off on the club passing on either North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye or LSU signal-caller Jayden Daniels at No. 2. 

"The player they take will be the centerpiece of their 'recalibration' project," Vacchiano added about the Commanders. "They've got to take the best quarterback they can get. And they know their fans won't settle for anything less." 

Just about everybody believes the Chicago Bears will make USC quarterback Caleb Williams the first pick of this year's draft. In a mock draft updated on Monday, Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports linked Washington with Daniels. On that same day, Josh Edwards of CBS mocked Maye to the Commanders. 

Meanwhile, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. somewhat cautiously predicted on Tuesday that Washington will choose Daniels at No. 2. 

"I don't think anyone has a great handle on which quarterback the Commanders prefer," Kiper explained. "I have Daniels over Maye in my position rankings — both are in my top six overall — and McCarthy is a distant fourth. There's no consensus around the league, though, which makes this pick the pivot point in the draft." 

A different team still has time to make a so-called "Godfather offer" for overall pick No. 2 that Washington can't refuse, but it sounds like the first two choices of this year's player-selection process won't be sold ahead of the night of April 25.