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Commanders GM Adam Peters proud of draft process two days in: ‘We got a lot better’

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Commanders GM Adam Peters proud of draft process two days in: ‘We got a lot better’

ASHBURN, Va. — Jayden Daniels isn’t assuming anything with the Week 1 starting quarterback job for the Washington Commanders.

“I don’t know the playbook,” he cracked at his introductory news conference less than 24 hours after Washington selected the reigning Heisman Trophy winner No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. “I’m not prepared right now.

That opportunity won’t be kept out of arm’s reach for the electric playmaker, even if coach Dan Quinn passed on making such claims. Still, write the kid’s name down as QB1 on the depth chart. For the moment, Daniels kept his goals more tangible.

Beyond diving into the playbook, his immediate checklist included “getting to meet my new teammates.” Hours later, that task became lengthier.

The Commanders entered Day 2 with five selections. Even with a rare intra-division trade, Washington finished Friday with five new teammates for its new quarterback.

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The quintet, headlined by Illinois defensive tackle Johnny Newton, Michigan cornerback Mike Sainristil and Rice wide receiver Luke McCaffrey, helped shrink Washington’s needs list. Leaning into the best player available approach helped the cause of a rebuilding team.

“We got a lot better, and we got a lot of guys who we consider Commanders,” said general manager Adam Peters. “Really proud of our process and identifying the right types of guys.”

Peters began the busy day by introducing Daniels, who entered the team’s auditorium brimming with the confidence required to take on NFL defenses, tackle high expectations and battle Washington’s QB history, which, since winning the 1991 season Super Bowl, can charitably be described as checkered.

“I don’t feel no pressure,” Daniels said. “You know, I’m going to just come in and just be me.”

Following Thursday’s first round, Peters gushed about Daniels’ dual-threat abilities, which can “take your soul as a defense.” When asked on Friday what that soul-sucking looks like, the LSU star had an answer ready: “2023 Florida game,” he said. Daniels had 606 yards from scrimmage and accounted for five touchdowns in the victory.

Some moments revealed the journey to this point. Daniels shared that as a 7-year-old growing up in San Bernardino, Calif., he hung a sign in his bedroom: “I’ll play in the NFL.” He thanked his parents, seated in the front row, for the sacrifices made “for me to get to this point, so I know it’s a proud moment for them to see their son live out (his) dreams.”

Washington helped five others live out their dreams. Newton, a 6-foot-2 boulder coming off a dynamic final season at Illinois, had to wait longer than expected before hearing his name called at No. 36

“We could not believe he was still there,” Peters said of the lineman with a first-round grade. The GM noted Washington even attempted to trade up for the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year who tied for the lead nationally among interior defenders with 44 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.

Despite stalwart defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne in the starting lineup, Washington couldn’t pass on the team captain with three-down capability who Peters says “arrives violently when he gets to the ball.” Newton credits a “football IQ (that) is really high compared to other defensive linemen” and “great presnap recognition” for his success.

“At first glance, you think that it’s a pretty packed (DT) room,” Peters said. “What I learned in San Francisco is you can’t have too many great (defensive) linemen. … I said to DQ (Quinn), ‘Can we do this?’ He’s like, ‘Yeah, we’ll find a way to get them all on the field.’”

Washington’s trade with Philadelphia — Nos. 40, 78 and 152 to the Eagles for Nos. 50, 53 and 161 — meant adding an extra second-round pick. Sainristil, another team captain and former receiver, “was the heart and soul of that (national-championship) Michigan team,” Peters said.

Former Alabama coach Nick Saban went a step further during ESPN’s draft coverage by calling the 5-foot-9 Sainristil arguably the best pound-for-pound football player in the draft. Washington sees him playing the nickel corner and helping foster a winning culture.

Pick No. 53, Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott (49 receptions in 2023), reminded Peters of San Francisco’s Kyle Juszczyk and George Kittle in “the way he blocks and in the way he moves.” The Commanders need a boost at a position that’s offered little production in recent years.

Washington selected TCU offensive tackle Brandon Coleman to help what many considered the team’s top draft need after quarterback. Yet another team captain, Coleman played over 1,600 snaps at tackle but also contributed at guard.

“We see him as a tackle and we think he could be a really good tackle,” said Peters. “He’s really experienced. He’s got heavy hands. He’s a really good athlete.” The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Coleman will compete with Cornelius Lucas for left tackle duties.

With the final selection on Day 2, Peters grabbed the player of the bunch he knew best. McCaffrey, the younger brother of 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey, was often around San Francisco’s team. Peters stuck around after the news conference to say hello when the younger McCaffrey began his Zoom call with reporters.

The former college quarterback — and another team captain — caught over 71 percent of his passes from the slot during his last two years at Rice. That job was vacated by the loss of Curtis Samuel in free agency.

“(Luke) took a road less traveled where he started as a quarterback and really taught himself how to be one of the best receivers in the country in the last two years. And so he’s got size, he’s got speed, he’s got great movement skills, and I think he’s only going to ascend,” Peters said.

Washington has nowhere to go but up after a 4-13 season that led to an organizational overhaul. Daniels is the rookie centerpiece of the desired change. No player, not even a quarterback, can turn around an NFL franchise alone. The Commanders tacked on five other players on Friday, with more picks coming on Day 3.

That means even more names for Daniels to learn. He’ll be fine. If Peters’ homework results in his first six selections as GM panning out, so will the Commanders.

(Photo of Dan Quinn, Jayden Daniels and Adam Peters: Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)

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