Could the Washington Commanders still take a quarterback in the first round of this week’s 2022 NFL draft?
According to Football Outsiders, via ESPN, quarterback is still Washington’s biggest need, even after sending multiple draft picks to the Indianapolis Colts for veteran quarterback Carson Wentz last month.
Normally, when we do these follow-up pieces, we have to be cognizant of the noise around the team, and the noise around this team is that it’s all but quit evaluating quarterbacks after acquiring Carson Wentz. However, with the way this offseason has unfolded, it feels like the Wentz trade is already a disaster for Washington. Similar quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo remain available and likely won’t command anywhere near the two third-round picks — one that could potentially upgrade to a second — that Washington spent.
Wentz is a stopgap and the Commanders need to act like it. If they see a quarterback fall to them at 11, and they have a first-round grade on him, they should strike. If a quarterback with a second-round grade is there in the second round, they should strike. We don’t think they will. But it’s what they would do if they were honest about what Wentz is.
It’s hard to disagree with this sentiment. However, does head coach Ron Rivera agree? In some of his comments after the trade, Rivera all but ruled out the Commanders taking a quarterback in the first. The coach didn’t say, “we aren’t selecting a quarterback in the first round,” but his statements reveal the team is looking to help Wentz by surrounding him with protection up front and offensive playmakers.
We can argue over what Washington paid for Wentz. It’s over. The team had a sense of what was available and wouldn’t be left out of the veteran QB market. The price it paid was essentially the cost of doing business.
Football Outsiders named Kenny Pickett of Pittsburgh and Desmond Ridder of Cincinnati as possible fits for the Commanders in the first round. Washington likes Ridder, but how much?
The Commanders are in a position — at least for 2022 — where trading back and accumulating more picks would be the best option. However, you need trade partners, which could be a bad year to need a trade partner, at least in the first round.
Next, Washington should be looking to help Wentz. If you are going to spend that much draft capital and cash on a veteran passer, you must give him every chance to succeed.
Ultimately, though, Washington should still be looking for its franchise quarterback. Maybe it’s Wentz. Sure, recent history would suggest otherwise, but perhaps he realizes this is his last chance. He certainly has the ability to turn things around. But you can’t count on that happening. If you enter the draft and love a quarterback, you can’t pass on them because you have Wentz. Teams who have been in QB purgatory must take as many swings as possible at the game’s most important position.
Nothing should be off the table for Washington come Thursday night.
