DETROIT — Now that the Commanders have secured a new quarterback with their No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft, what comes next for the team? Jayden Daniels told WUSA9 he hopes to "change the trajectory" of the team. Will later draft moves help him to do that?
The draft continues Friday in Detroit with rounds two and three. The Commanders are in possession of a number of picks in these rounds as they look to build a team around Daniels' talents. As it stands now, the team is on the clock twice in round two with picks at No. 36 and No. 40 overall. They will have three picks in round three, at No. 67, 78 and 100.
Brandon Aiyuk?
There was some chatter that Adam Peters and the Commanders might make a trade for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk on day two.
The Niners ended the first day of the NFL draft by adding a rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall and keeping its established stars Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel despite heavy speculation that one of them could have been moved Thursday night.
San Francisco 49ers General Manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan wouldn't definitively rule out any potential trades of Aiyuk but deemed it as unlikely, especially now that the first round of the draft is over.
Aiyuk and Daniels do have history from when they played together at Arizona State.
Round 2 Possibilities
Meanwhile, the Niners selection of Pearsall means Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean is still on the board Friday. The Commanders could snatch him up with the fourth pick in the second round. Another possibility is OTs Kingsley Suamataia from BYU, or Patrick Paul from Houston to help protect the QB.
Depending on how the early rounds of Day 2 shake out, the Commanders could potentially grab cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry or cornerback Max Melton from Rutgers.
Round 3 Possibilities
The Commanders have three picks at their disposal in Round 3. At No. 67 overall, some mock drafts say the team could pick Safety Kamren Kinchens from Miami, or perhaps Yale offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie.
To help out Daniels, the team could take Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan with the No. 78.
At No. 100 overall, mock drafts see the team potentially taking Kansas edge rusher Austin Booker or Oregon running back Bucky Irving.
Will Daniels Start?
It’s unclear if Daniels will play right away, get the chance to compete for the starting job or sit and learn behind veteran Marcus Mariota, who is willing to be a mentor after signing a one-year deal in free agency. Whether it’s Daniels, Mariota or journeyman Jeff Driskel, Washington will have an eighth different Week 1 starting QB in as many seasons after trading Sam Howell to Seattle last month.
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