Commander's Draft Shocker - What'll it be?

[Boone]

Although Rivera, Mayhew, and Company have shown a propensity for conservative decision-making, they have generated more than a few surprises during the NFL draft. What's your predicted potential 'shock move' in this week's proceedings?

Chase Young traded as part of a draft deal?
Commanders draft a QB?
Bijan Robinson the pick at 16?
Big 1st round trade up?
Fail to get pick in on time?
Trade up for a second 1st round pick?
Trade down for additional picks?
Something else?

Is there a shock move you think we could see this week?

 

[Boone]

I voted 'draft a QB'. Some might argue that wouldn't be a 'shocker' but it would be unusual for a team that has more or less committed to starting a recently drafted young QB to double down and draft one 2 straight drafts. Not to say I'd have any problem with it as I generally subscribe to Om's belief we should draft a QB every year until we are set at the position. But I do think it's a longshot they'll go that route in 2023 given the other pressing needs we have. I believe the addition of Jacoby Brissett signaled they'll go in other directions in this year's draft. I do think a trade of Chase Young is more possible than most believe. I don't think they are sold on him (hence waiting until the deadline to determine whether they'll add the 5th year option) - but they'd have to get a 1st rounder or a couple of 2nd rounders for something that dramatic to happen imho, and that may not be realistic given questions about his ability post-injury.

 

[Neophyte]

I think the most likely scenario at #16, other than using the pick, is trading down to acquire additional picks.

 

[Boone]

Added a trade-down option Neophyte

 

[Neophyte]

Of course, maybe trading down isn't a shocker? LOL

 

[Boone]

Depends on who is sitting there when we do it, right?

 

[Kel Varnsen]

A lot of those would be shockers. To me, the biggest shocker would be trading up in round 1. I could make the case for any of those other moves. But that one would be the biggest shock to me. I just don’t see that happening. Of the choices listed, I would guess at trading back into round 1 as having both shock value and likelihood of happening.

 

[Om]

Fun.

Chase Young traded as part of a draft deal? - Would be surprised, anyway. This front office doesn't do splash stuff even when NOT on the national spotlight clock.

Commanders draft a QB? - I suspect they will ... round 5 or later.

Bijan Robinson the pick at 16? - would not shock given the E. Bienemy dynamic and Ron perhaps looking to make a case for coaching beyond 2023.

Big 1st round trade up? - MY "SHOCK" VOTE, with the caveat that "Big" in this context would be, say, into the top 5 - 7. We're not moving up for a QB, and there's no one else on the board I see them salivating over.

Fail to get pick in on time? - Not funny.

Trade up for a second 1st round pick? - Not sure I'm clear on this one ... define?

Trade down for additional picks? - Absolutely possible, probable even.

Something else? - Josh Harris makes the 16th pick via FaceTime.

 

[Boone]

Trade up for a second 1st round pick - like what they did with Montez Sweat. They stay at 16 but trade later or future picks to move back into the late 1st round. I think the most likely scenario would be if a QB they really like fell...

 

[burgold]

The biggest Commanders draft shocker would be if we made a choice that made the fanbase happy. We love to complain, nitpick, grouse, and kvetch.

 

[Chris]

I voted 'draft a QB'. Some might argue that wouldn't be a 'shocker' but it would be unusual for a team that has more or less committed to starting a recently drafted young QB to double down and draft one 2 straight drafts. Not to say I'd have any problem with it as I generally subscribe to Om's belief we should draft a QB every year until we are set at the position. But I do think it's a longshot they'll go that route in 2023 given the other pressing needs we have. I believe the addition of Jacoby Brissett signaled they'll go in other directions in this year's draft. I do think a trade of Chase Young is more possible than most believe. I don't think they are sold on him (hence waiting until the deadline to determine whether they'll add the 5th year option) - but they'd have to get a 1st rounder or a couple of 2nd rounders for something that dramatic to happen imho, and that may not be realistic given questions about his ability post-injury.

I agree that ‘draft a QB’, in any round, would shock me. This coming season is the ultimate shit or get off the pot season for Rivera & Co. There is no QB that will be available to them in this draft that will make a difference in this upcoming season. They need players that, at a minimum, offer a possibility to impact the coming season.

As much as Rivera likes to repeat the ’business as usual’ mantra, this upcoming season is anything but business as usual.

 

[burgold]

Being more serious, as much as the fan tide has turned on Chase Young, I don't get the sense that he's burned his bridges here. That said, trading him for an impressive draft pick would represent a huge loss of face. I just can't see Rivera and co trading Chase for a five or a six. I also don't see him netting a one or a two.

So, a trade would shock me.

 

[SkinsOrlando]

Trading up to draft a QB would leave me stunned, numb even. I cannot fathom under what circumstances giving up assets to grab a QB would not be a shock to the gonads considering a sale is pending and I'm sure a new owner wants a say in what could be franchise defining. Plus I don't see Rivera making a move that would take a few years to pan out knowing he probably needs a division title to save his job. Least likely shocking, we trade down from 16 to between 23 and 28 picking up a late 2nd and a 4th.

 

[Canadian Hog]

Trade down for additional picks with an eye towards stockpiling assets for the 2024 draft. I know that many would argue that Rivera doesn't care about anything beyond 2023, but man, if we can accumulate capital to make a play for Caleb Williams in 2024, that could benefit so many within the organization on so many levels in my opinion.

 

[Boone]

If that were the goal there are a couple players they should already have looked to trade. I think it’s going to cost a king’s ransom to move up in 2024 and in all likelihood even that won’t do it. We would have to finish with the worst record and I don’t think that’s realistic.

 

[Boone]

I like the idea CH - just not sure how to put it into practical practice… without a horrific 2023 season which I can’t root for…

 

[DieselPwr44]

They draft an edge rusher in Round 1.

That would be a shocker to me.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

If that were the goal there are a couple players they should already have looked to trade. I think it’s going to cost a king’s ransom to move up in 2024 and in all likelihood even that won’t do it. We would have to finish with the worst record and I don’t think that’s realistic.

The other option is to try and get your hands on the first rounder of a team you think will suck this year. Last year, I wanted them to get NO first rounder. They traded with NO, but Philly did first and has the 10th pick in this draft. I think the team to target this year is Tampa. They have no QB and otherwise looked old last year. They play in a weak division, but they may be bad this year. I don’t think moving down 3 spots would warrant a 1st next year, but maybe there is some other way to do so. Or maybe one of the QBs fall and they really want him.

 

[Boone]

Interesting take. I like it when analysts challenge conventional wisdom like this - especially when it comes to QBs because we know historically that the experts are wrong as often as they are correct. I would kill to see how the Commanders have the QBs in this draft class slotted. I wonder if a guy like Levis or Richardson were there at 16, would they?...

 

[Primus Porcus]

I picked "trade down"

But I want to throw something else out there.

My gut keeps telling me we take an edge rusher, and do it early.... Day 1 or day 2 early. Similar to the Mathis pick last year that none of us saw coming... I think an outside pass rusher is on the list in a big way for this team.