Commanders’ 2024 Draft Class Struggles to Deliver as Dan Quinn Focuses on Development
With the Washington Commanders sitting at 3-10, it’s hard to ignore the elephant in the room: the 2024 draft class hasn’t lived up to expectations. Head coach Dan Quinn was asked this week whether he’s gotten the impact he needed from the group, and while he didn’t deliver a full postmortem, his response said plenty.
“I think I don't want to do like an end-of-year assessment... but it's really important over the next weeks what we can do, what we can get done,” Quinn said. “When we get our chances to go make your mark, you've got to be able to go do that.”
Translation: the results haven’t been there, and time is running out for this rookie class to show they belong.
Let’s break it down.
Jayden Daniels (QB, Pick 2): A Tough Sophomore Campaign
Daniels came into the season riding high off a stellar 2024 campaign. But 2025 has been a different story.
He’s battled through injuries, missing four games, and when he has been on the field, the magic hasn’t quite been there. There’s no denying his talent, but the inconsistency - both in health and performance - has been a setback for a team that hoped he’d be the centerpiece of a rebuild.
Jer’Zhan Newton (DT, Pick 36): Big Shoes, Bigger Expectations
Newton was drafted to eventually fill the void left by veterans like Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. So far, that transition hasn’t materialized.
The former Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year has yet to flash the disruptive presence he showed in college. For a second-round pick expected to anchor the defensive line, the production has been underwhelming.
Mike Sainristil (CB, Pick 50): A Step Back After a Promising Start
Sainristil turned heads in 2024, especially during the playoffs. But this season has been a different story.
He’s struggled to find consistency and has looked out of sync in coverage. For a player who was supposed to help solidify the secondary, it’s been a disappointing regression.
Ben Sinnott (TE, Pick 53): Waiting on Offensive Impact
Sinnott has been a contributor on special teams, but the offensive production just hasn’t been there. With Zach Ertz sidelined, Sinnott now has an opportunity to carve out a role in the passing game.
The question is whether he can seize it. The Commanders need someone to step up, and this is his moment to show he’s more than just depth.
Brandon Coleman (OL, Pick 67): From Starter to Scratch
Coleman began the year as the starting left guard, but lost his job to Chris Paul. Things went from bad to worse when he was a healthy scratch for five straight weeks. He’s recently returned in a jumbo package role, replacing Trent Scott as the extra lineman, but that’s a far cry from the starting role Washington envisioned when they drafted him.
Luke McCaffrey (WR, Pick 100): Missed Opportunity
With injuries thinning out the receiving corps, McCaffrey had a golden opportunity to make his mark. Unfortunately, he struggled to get separation and never quite established himself as a reliable target. On the bright side, he showed some promise as a kickoff returner before a broken collarbone ended his season early.
Jordan Magee (LB, Pick 139): Athleticism Without Production
Magee came in with plenty of buzz - explosive, fast, instinctive. But the on-field production hasn’t matched the scouting report.
He’s made a few splash plays, but overall, it’s been quiet. The tools are there, but the Commanders are still waiting to see if he can put it all together.
Dominique Hampton (S/LB, Pick 161): Didn’t Make the Cut
Hampton didn’t even make it to the regular season. The Commanders released him during the preseason, a clear sign that the fit just wasn’t there. For a Day 3 pick, the margin for error is slim, and Hampton couldn’t find his place.
Javontae Jean-Baptiste (DE, Pick 222): Flashes, But Limited Impact
As a late-round pick, expectations were modest for Jean-Baptiste, but he’s shown some flashes when healthy. Still, injuries have limited his availability, and while there’s some upside, he hasn’t shown enough to suggest he’ll be a consistent contributor just yet.
A Draft Class Under the Microscope
When general manager Adam Peters traded down in the second round to pick up an extra selection, there was optimism about building a deeper, more versatile roster. But as the losses have piled up, so have the questions about this group’s ability to contribute meaningfully - both now and in the future.
Dan Quinn’s focus, for now, is on development. That’s the right mindset at this stage of the season. But behind closed doors, you can imagine the conversations between Quinn and Peters - wondering how a class that once looked so promising has yielded so little.
There’s still time for some of these players to turn the corner. But with three games left and a long offseason ahead, the Commanders will have to take a hard look at what went wrong - and what needs to change - if they want to avoid another year of unmet expectations.