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North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Underdog report: 2024 Washington Commanders

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 2/12/24

After going 4-13 in 2023, the Washington Commanders finished at the bottom of the NFC East for the third time in five years. Here’s how they get out of the cellar in 2024.

Biggest need: Quarterback

First-year starter and former Tar Heel Sam Howell was the NFL’s 12th-leading passer in 2023, but his 78.9 passer rating was among the worst in the league. He also led the NFL with 65 sacks taken and 21 interceptions.

Free agent target: OT Tyron Smith

No team has more money to spend ($83.5M) than Washington this year. They’ll need to improve their 32nd-ranked pass defense, their 27th-ranked running game and find better players to protect their new quarterback.

The latter seems more important so perhaps new head coach and former Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn can convince one of his former players, eight-time Pro Bowler Tyron Smith, to follow him to the rival Commanders.

Draft target: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina

Do the Commanders have the nerve to draft another North Carolina quarterback? USC’s Caleb Williams is the consensus No. 1 overall pick, meaning Washington will have the next best choice at No. 2. At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, Drake Maye is built for the position with one of the strongest arms in the draft.

.@UNCFootball evens the score with this touchdown pass to Devonte Walker from Drake Maye pic.twitter.com/IWo9iwVHY2
— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) October 21, 2023

In two years as a starter, Maye threw for 7,929 yards and 62 touchdowns while adding 1,147 yards and 16 scores on the ground. New ownership may be tempted to trade up for Williams, especially with USC's Kliff Kingsbury on board as offensive coordinator, but Maye will do just fine at No. 2.

Reason for optimism: Adam Peters

Washington’s new general manager had been an assistant GM with the 49ers since 2017 after working for Super Bowl-winning teams like the Broncos and Patriots. Former GM Martin Mayhew, who worked with Peters in San Francisco, remains with the team and could be an asset for the first-time general manager.

Reason for concern: New ownership

Fans were so excited to be rid of former owner Dan Snyder after 24 years that few considered the possibility that newcomer Josh Harris could be just as bad. To some, the Quinn hire seemed like a panic move after their interview with Ben Johnson didn’t go as hoped.

According to ESPN's Jenna Laine, Detroit’s offensive coordinator was "turned off" by team ownership, calling them "basketball guys" who were "a little too confident in their football opinions." Harris also owns the Philadelphia 76ers.

Reports of Johnson interviewing poorly soon followed but seemed dubious given the timing. Quinn could still turn out to be the best choice but it feels like new ownership may have dropped the ball on this one.

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