NFL
MandeBy: Ryan Cooley
*All stats/grades are via PFF
I am sure everyone has seen about 50 different “grades” for the Washington Commanders 2024 draft. I am not a fan of grading drafts right out of the gate because no one has a clue how those picks will turn out.
After last year’s drafts, I decided to go back and grade their one from 2020. I feel three years is a good timetable to see how an organization’s draft went. So, I am doing that again for the 2021 draft.
Jamin Davis (round 1, pick 19): C-
I could go with a lower grade here, but I think that would be a bit harsh on Jamin Davis. He has taken the steps on the field that you would want to see from a developmental LB. However, that doesn’t excuse taking a developmental LB 19th overall. The low grade is more of a reflection of the decision to take someone like Davis in the 1st round.
Davis only started 11 games in college. Yes, you read that right. The last regime thought a LB with only 11 starts in college would come in and play at a high level in his first two years.
As I mentioned, Davis has improved each year. He has taken strides when it comes to run defense. In his rookie year, he only managed a run defense grade of 48.6 (43rd) and a missed tackle rate of 14.3% (54th). In 2023, he posted a 76.1 (19th) run defense grade and only a missed tackle rate of 5.6% (4th).
Sam Cosmi (round 2, pick 51): A
Cosmi will likely go down as the best pick from the Rivera era. He spent his first two years at RT where he played well, but struggled with consistency and injuries. He took a big leap when he moved to RG in 2023.
He had some ups and downs to start the year but played like a man possessed from week 11 on. In those 7 games, he managed both the highest pass-blocking grade (88.3) and the highest run-blocking grade (88.1) among all guards.
I have the utmost confidence that he can be a top-five guard in the NFL if he can stay healthy.
Benjamin St-Juste (round 3, pick 74): C
St-Juste has had so many highs and lows in his first three seasons. In just 2023, he had three games with an 80+ grade. However, he also had three games with a grade of 45 or lower. Coming out of Minnesota, St-Juste’s physical tools (specifically his massive wingspan) were intriguing. Many believed he could be a high-end CB with enough reps and development. Unfortunately, he has not taken the steps everyone had hoped.
There is a possibility with better coaching, he could improve in 2024.
Dyami Brown (round 3, pick 82): F
We see a ton of success from day two receivers, but not so much from Brown. Dyami was projected to be a 2nd rounder by some. He ended up falling to Washington at pick 82. Since then, he has only managed 476 yards and 3 TDs on 29 receptions in three seasons.
I thought with Howell becoming the starter in 2023 that there was a possibility their connection from college could be revived. That obviously did not happen.
John Bates (round 4, pick 124): D
Bates looked like a solid pick after his rookie season. He posted an impressive 87.6 run-blocking grade (1st) in 2021. However, he has failed to recapture that dominance in the past two seasons, only managing a run-blocking grade of 65 and 60.
Bates has had little impact in the passing game as well. He has failed to reach even 200 receiving yards in either of the past two seasons. With the signing of Ertz and the selection of Sinnott in round 2, there is a strong chance Bates won’t make the team in 2024.
Darrick Forrest (round 5, pick 163): B
Many loved the Forrest selection and viewed him as a steal in the 5th round. After impressing in his sophomore season, there were hopes he could the next step up. Unfortunately, he suffered a fractured shoulder in week 5 and missed the rest of the year.
With so much turnover this offseason, his spot at FS is not guaranteed. However, I believe he will win the starting job.
Camaron Cheeseman (round 6, pick 225): F-
I’m aware there isn’t a grade lower than an F, but this pick was so bad that I had to slap on the minus. I honestly can’t think of a pick that better represents the last front office. Not only did they draft a long snapper, BUT THEY TRADED UP FOR ONE! Now if you think that is bad enough, it’s not, because that long snapper quite literally could not long snap.
Former #Commanders LS Camaron Cheeseman was ranked the worst LS last season.
Despite only playing 14 games, he had a LS overall grade of 0 with a FG grade of 19.7 😬
(Via: r/nfl) pic.twitter.com/RvnnKsfFuK
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) May 6, 2024
To make matters worse, the very next pick was Trey Smith. Smith has been the Chiefs starting RG all three years and has yet to have a season with a blocking grade lower than 72.
William Bradley-King (round 7, pick 240): D
It might be a harsh grade for someone taken 240th, but there were hopes that he could be a good depth piece for Washington. Instead, Bradley-King barely played for the burgundy and gold and was with the Patriots in 2023.
In 2021, he was on the field for 59 snaps and posted a 40.4 overall grade. In 2022, he played even fewer snaps at 24 and only mustered a 33.7 grade.
Shaka Toney (round 7, pick 246): F
I initially liked the Toney pick and believed out of the two Edges taken in the 7th round, he had the most potential. Instead, he thought it would be a stupendous idea to bet on NFL games. This led to a year-long suspension. Shortly after being reinstated into the league, Adam Peters cut Toney from the team.
I believe he has potential, but he will need a team to give him another chance.
Dax Milne (round 7, pick 258): C+
Milne has not been a fan favorite, but I still think he has done well for being the 258th pick. On offense, he has barely played, only catching 15 balls in three seasons. He instead was the primary returner in 2022. This is where most of the negativity surrounding Milne has spawned. Fans got tired of seeing his fair catches with no explosive returns.
Though, I believe Milne was much better than people gave him credit for.
I’ll never understand the hate Dax Milne gets.
– 4th highest punt return grade
– 1 muffed punt that he also recovered, and didn’t come until week 18
– 0 fumblesNo, he’s not an explosive returner. However he has reliable/consistent hands and won’t lose you games.
— Cooley's Takes (@Cooleystakes) August 29, 2023
That being said, Crowder did very well with return duties in 2023 and I expect him to be the favorite going into 2024.
Overall: D
Sam Cosmi is the main reason this draft didn’t receive an F. He is the only player out of 10 picks who is a guaranteed starter in 2024. I believe Davis and Forrest are decent pieces, but they don’t move the needle enough.
The last regime is gone, so I don’t want to harp on them too much. So, the only thing I will say is that I couldn’t be happier Adam Peters is in charge now.
