There has never been any doubt in NFL circles about the intentions at the quarterback position. The new regime wasnt going to sign Tucker McCann Jersey or trade for a high-priced veteran. And they werent going to ride with .The plan, for new general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn, has always been to take a quarterback with the second overall pick in the draft this April. The only question has always been: Which one?Obviously, one will be gone before the Washington Commanders make their pick a suming they dont trade up one spot to No. 1, which seems highly unlikely. But that will still leave the Commanders with their choice of the remaining 2-3 quarterbacks that NFL evaluators seem to view as franchise quarterback players.Which is the best fit? Or which one is the best prospect? Here is a look at their potential choices, with the help of some NFL executives and scouts:ADVERTISEMENT Caleb Williams, USCDuring the season there were quite a few scouts who thought North Carolinas might overtake Williams as the best in this cla s, but the current consensus seems to be shifting back to Williams. Scouts rave about his mobility and his ability to make a play when things start to go wrong. Hes been described as special and even generational (though a few NFL evaluators have pushed back on that last word). There are some concerns about his accuracy and his ability to just stay in the pocket and make throws under dure s.Still, if he somehow gets to No. 2, dont expect the Commanders to pa s on him. Their new offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury, was a senior offensive analyst with USC last season, so hes already worked with Williams, and those that know Kingsbury insist that he loves him.At the moment, though, it feels like a lock that Williams will go to the at No. 1. But if not, its hard to imagine hell get past No. 2. Theres a good reason why FOX Sports Draft Analyst Rob Rang called him the most gifted quarterback in this cla s. Most of the NFL seems to agree.Are the Bears the best landing spot for Caleb Williams? Drake Maye, North CarolinaHes got the size (6-foot-4, 223 pounds) and the arm strength that scouts drool over. Thats why many of them thought that by the end of the college season, hed emerge as the consensus top pick. That never happened because he was a bit inconsistent and threw nine interceptions last season (16 total in his two years as a starter). He draws comparisons to Buffalos Josh Allen, not just because of his size and his running ability (he ran for 1,147 yards and 16 touchdowns in two seasons), but because his arm can be erratic and he sometimes tries to force throws that he shouldnt make.Allen worked out pretty well, though, and Maye will likely reign in his gunslinger tendencies and become a good pro. The Commanders obviously like him. There has been some speculation that he might not be a good fit for Kingsburys scheme, though that seems like a shortsighted analysis given Mayes dual-ability to throw and run.Also, teams dont draft franchise quarterbacks to fit the need of one coordinator anyway. Ideally, the quarterback will be in Washington long after Kingsbury is gone. Theyll take the one they think is the best overall prospect on the board.Best landing spots for Drake Maye, Michael Penix, J.J. McCarthy Jayden Daniels, LSUThe Heisman Trophy winner has suddenly become a hot pick for the Commanders among the pundits, especially after they signed veteran to be their backup (or po sibly short-term starter). The theory goes that they are similarly styled. But again, that doesnt seem rooted in reality. In fact, one scout suggested Maye was a lot more like Mariota, especially when it comes to his size (Mariota is 6-4, 222).Size is the biggest i sue for Daniels. Hes one of the best playmakers in the draft, one of the most experienced (four full seasons as a starter at Arizona State and LSU) and the best runner (2,019 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns in two seasons at LSU). But hes listed at 6-4, 210, looks a lot thinner, and since he refused to get measured at the combine, many NFL people think hes probably a bit shorter and potentially weighs a lot le s.Again, connecting the dots that maybe shouldnt be connected, Kingsbury coached the where his quarterback was the 5-10, 207-pound . He also had succe s with Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M and Patrick Mahomes and at Texas Tech, and none of them were giants. Hed clearly favor playmaking ability, which clearly Daniels has.But would Peters, Quinn and the Commanders brain trust feel comfortable enough that Daniels could take a pounding playing quarterback in the NFL, and that they could trust that the future of their franchise could stay on the field and play? If not, theyd be taking a heck of a risk with a pick that will shape the tenure of all of them.Is Jayden Daniels the best QB prospect in 2024 NFL Draft? J.J. McCarthy, MichiganHes a late entry into the top-of-the-draft conversation, following a strong season for the in which he won a national championship. Theres no doubt he has ability. Hes smart and efficient and has been hailed as a good leader. His size is fine (6-3, 219). His arm strength is good enough. He can run a little.The problem comes when scouts are asked what he does great. Few have much of an answer to that. In fact, several used the term game manager when describing him, which hardly seems to be a trait worthy of a top-5 pick. Teams can win with a quarterback like that. Peters, the former a sistant GM in San Francisco, surely knows that after watching get tagged with that description as he led the to the Super Teair Tart Jersey Bowl.But the second overall pick is a place for a special prospect. Maybe McCarthy will go in the top 6, but unle s the Commanders surprise everyone and trade down, he likely isnt an option theyll consider.Trade down for someone elseThere are a bunch of teams that would love to trade up into the top 3 to grab one of the quarterbacks. The , to name one, are positioning themselves to make just such a jump and can offer two first-round picks to do it (No. 11 and 23). That could be enticing for a team like the Commanders who really could use a bunch of talented young players to build around as they recalibrate their franchise over the next few years.But while they could trade down and end up with McCarthy or maybe Oregons , plus a bag full of high picks, dont bet on them doing that. There is no more important position in sports than quarterback, and when a team has a chance to draft a great one, theyre crazy if they dont do it. They could add all of the young, talented players they want, but they wont have a contender until they find a quarterback.So Washington cant just trade this opportunity away and a sume theyll be able to find a quarterback somehow in the next year or two. Thats a strategy that doesnt always work out well. And its hard to imagine Peters or new owner Josh Harris, for that matter signing off on a plan like that. The player they take will be the centerpiece of their recalibration project.Theyve got to take the best quarterback they can get. And they know their fans wont settle for anything le s.Ralph Vacchiano is the NFC East reporter for FOX Sports, covering the Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants. He spent the previous six years covering the Giants and Jets for SNY TV in New York, and before that, 16 years covering the Giants and the NFL for the New York Daily News. Follow him Twitter at@RalphVacchiano.
A deep group of first round prospects will play in the American Hockey League to start this season.The NHL's top developmental league begins its 88th season Friday and will feature its standard array of elite young talent.Forward Shane Wright, the No. 4 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Seattle Kraken, had a brief AHL conditioning stint with Coachella Valley last season. The 19 year old then returned to Coachella Valley for their run to the Calder Cup Final against Hershey Washington Capitals , where they lost in seven games. Wright is back in the AHL this season.Defensemen Simon Nemec and David Jiricek, each 19, are also back in the AHL. Nemec, the second pick in the 2022 draft by the New Jersey Devils, will return to Utica. Jiricek, the No. 6 pick in 2022 by the Columbus Blue Jackets, is back with Cleveland.Here is a look at some top prospects making their AHL debuts this season:Tyler Boucher https://www.krakenproteamstore.com/jared-mccann-jersey, Belleville Ottawa Senators The 20 year old forward, selected No. 10 by the Senators in the 2021 NHL Draft, will try to rebound from a 2022 23 season disrupted by injury.Boucher, who played part of the 2021 22 season at Boston University, is turning pro after parts of two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with Ottawa. Last season, Boucher had 17 points 10 goals, seven assists in 21 OHL games, but his season ended when he had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder in March.Brandt Clarke, Ontario Los Angeles Kings For the past several seasons the Kings have built a deep pool of top tier prospects.Clarke is their next young talent after choosing the defenseman No. 8 in the 2021 draft. The 20 year old spent the early part of last season with the Kings, where he had two assists in nine games, and Ontario, where he had a goal and an assist in a five AHL games.He then won a gold medal with Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship and finished his season in the OHL with Barrie, where he had 61 points 23 goals, 38 assists in 31 games. He was named to the OHL First All Star Team as well as the Canadian Hockey League First All Star Team.Clarke finsihed his season with 23 points seven goals, 16 assists in 12 OHL playoff games.Dylan Guenther, Tucson Arizona Coyotes Picked in between Clarke and Boucher in the 2021 draft was Guenther, who went to Arizona with the No. 9 pick.The rebuilding Coyotes have amassed a strong collection of prospects and are giving the 20 year old forward time to develop in the AHL. Guenther played 33 games with Arizona last season and had 15 points six goals https://www.krakenproteamstore.com/connor-carrick-jersey, nine assists before he was assigned to Seattle of the Western Hockey League, where he had 29 points 13 goals, 16 assists in 20 games.Like Clarke, Guenther won a gold medal for Canada at the WJC. He then finished fourth in WHL playoff scoring with 28 points league high 16 goals, 12 assists in 19 games to help Seattle reach the Memorial Cup tournament.Chaz Lucius, Manitoba Winnipeg Jets Lucius, a 20 year old forward, is working his way back after shoulder surgery ended his season.The No. 18 pick in the 2021 draft, Lucius started last season with Manitoba and had five points two goals, three assists in 12 games. After representing the United States at the WJC, he went to Portland of the WHL and had 15 points five goals, 10 assists in six games.Brennan Othmann, Hartford New York Rangers The 20 year old forward, chosen 16th in the 2021 draft by the Rangers, competed against Guenther for the Memorial Cup with Peterborough last season.Othmann finished his OHL career with Peterborough following a trade from Flint. He had 67 points 29 goals , 38 assists in 56 OHL games last season and tied for third in playoff scoring with 25 points eight goals, 17 assists in 23 games. His season also included a gold medal with Canada at the WJC.
There has never been any doubt in NFL circles about the intentions at the quarterback position. The new regime wasnt going to sign Tucker McCann Jersey or trade for a high-priced veteran. And they werent going to ride with .The plan, for new general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn, has always been to take a quarterback with the second overall pick in the draft this April. The only question has always been: Which one?Obviously, one will be gone before the Washington Commanders make their pick a suming they dont trade up one spot to No. 1, which seems highly unlikely. But that will still leave the Commanders with their choice of the remaining 2-3 quarterbacks that NFL evaluators seem to view as franchise quarterback players.Which is the best fit? Or which one is the best prospect? Here is a look at their potential choices, with the help of some NFL executives and scouts:ADVERTISEMENT Caleb Williams, USCDuring the season there were quite a few scouts who thought North Carolinas might overtake Williams as the best in this cla s, but the current consensus seems to be shifting back to Williams. Scouts rave about his mobility and his ability to make a play when things start to go wrong. Hes been described as special and even generational (though a few NFL evaluators have pushed back on that last word). There are some concerns about his accuracy and his ability to just stay in the pocket and make throws under dure s.Still, if he somehow gets to No. 2, dont expect the Commanders to pa s on him. Their new offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury, was a senior offensive analyst with USC last season, so hes already worked with Williams, and those that know Kingsbury insist that he loves him.At the moment, though, it feels like a lock that Williams will go to the at No. 1. But if not, its hard to imagine hell get past No. 2. Theres a good reason why FOX Sports Draft Analyst Rob Rang called him the most gifted quarterback in this cla s. Most of the NFL seems to agree.Are the Bears the best landing spot for Caleb Williams? Drake Maye, North CarolinaHes got the size (6-foot-4, 223 pounds) and the arm strength that scouts drool over. Thats why many of them thought that by the end of the college season, hed emerge as the consensus top pick. That never happened because he was a bit inconsistent and threw nine interceptions last season (16 total in his two years as a starter). He draws comparisons to Buffalos Josh Allen, not just because of his size and his running ability (he ran for 1,147 yards and 16 touchdowns in two seasons), but because his arm can be erratic and he sometimes tries to force throws that he shouldnt make.Allen worked out pretty well, though, and Maye will likely reign in his gunslinger tendencies and become a good pro. The Commanders obviously like him. There has been some speculation that he might not be a good fit for Kingsburys scheme, though that seems like a shortsighted analysis given Mayes dual-ability to throw and run.Also, teams dont draft franchise quarterbacks to fit the need of one coordinator anyway. Ideally, the quarterback will be in Washington long after Kingsbury is gone. Theyll take the one they think is the best overall prospect on the board.Best landing spots for Drake Maye, Michael Penix, J.J. McCarthy Jayden Daniels, LSUThe Heisman Trophy winner has suddenly become a hot pick for the Commanders among the pundits, especially after they signed veteran to be their backup (or po sibly short-term starter). The theory goes that they are similarly styled. But again, that doesnt seem rooted in reality. In fact, one scout suggested Maye was a lot more like Mariota, especially when it comes to his size (Mariota is 6-4, 222).Size is the biggest i sue for Daniels. Hes one of the best playmakers in the draft, one of the most experienced (four full seasons as a starter at Arizona State and LSU) and the best runner (2,019 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns in two seasons at LSU). But hes listed at 6-4, 210, looks a lot thinner, and since he refused to get measured at the combine, many NFL people think hes probably a bit shorter and potentially weighs a lot le s.Again, connecting the dots that maybe shouldnt be connected, Kingsbury coached the where his quarterback was the 5-10, 207-pound . He also had succe s with Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M and Patrick Mahomes and at Texas Tech, and none of them were giants. Hed clearly favor playmaking ability, which clearly Daniels has.But would Peters, Quinn and the Commanders brain trust feel comfortable enough that Daniels could take a pounding playing quarterback in the NFL, and that they could trust that the future of their franchise could stay on the field and play? If not, theyd be taking a heck of a risk with a pick that will shape the tenure of all of them.Is Jayden Daniels the best QB prospect in 2024 NFL Draft? J.J. McCarthy, MichiganHes a late entry into the top-of-the-draft conversation, following a strong season for the in which he won a national championship. Theres no doubt he has ability. Hes smart and efficient and has been hailed as a good leader. His size is fine (6-3, 219). His arm strength is good enough. He can run a little.The problem comes when scouts are asked what he does great. Few have much of an answer to that. In fact, several used the term game manager when describing him, which hardly seems to be a trait worthy of a top-5 pick. Teams can win with a quarterback like that. Peters, the former a sistant GM in San Francisco, surely knows that after watching get tagged with that description as he led the to the Super Teair Tart Jersey Bowl.But the second overall pick is a place for a special prospect. Maybe McCarthy will go in the top 6, but unle s the Commanders surprise everyone and trade down, he likely isnt an option theyll consider.Trade down for someone elseThere are a bunch of teams that would love to trade up into the top 3 to grab one of the quarterbacks. The , to name one, are positioning themselves to make just such a jump and can offer two first-round picks to do it (No. 11 and 23). That could be enticing for a team like the Commanders who really could use a bunch of talented young players to build around as they recalibrate their franchise over the next few years.But while they could trade down and end up with McCarthy or maybe Oregons , plus a bag full of high picks, dont bet on them doing that. There is no more important position in sports than quarterback, and when a team has a chance to draft a great one, theyre crazy if they dont do it. They could add all of the young, talented players they want, but they wont have a contender until they find a quarterback.So Washington cant just trade this opportunity away and a sume theyll be able to find a quarterback somehow in the next year or two. Thats a strategy that doesnt always work out well. And its hard to imagine Peters or new owner Josh Harris, for that matter signing off on a plan like that. The player they take will be the centerpiece of their recalibration project.Theyve got to take the best quarterback they can get. And they know their fans wont settle for anything le s.Ralph Vacchiano is the NFC East reporter for FOX Sports, covering the Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants. He spent the previous six years covering the Giants and Jets for SNY TV in New York, and before that, 16 years covering the Giants and the NFL for the New York Daily News. Follow him Twitter at@RalphVacchiano.
A deep group of first round prospects will play in the American Hockey League to start this season.The NHL's top developmental league begins its 88th season Friday and will feature its standard array of elite young talent.Forward Shane Wright, the No. 4 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Seattle Kraken, had a brief AHL conditioning stint with Coachella Valley last season. The 19 year old then returned to Coachella Valley for their run to the Calder Cup Final against Hershey Washington Capitals , where they lost in seven games. Wright is back in the AHL this season.Defensemen Simon Nemec and David Jiricek, each 19, are also back in the AHL. Nemec, the second pick in the 2022 draft by the New Jersey Devils, will return to Utica. Jiricek, the No. 6 pick in 2022 by the Columbus Blue Jackets, is back with Cleveland.Here is a look at some top prospects making their AHL debuts this season:Tyler Boucher https://www.krakenproteamstore.com/jared-mccann-jersey, Belleville Ottawa Senators The 20 year old forward, selected No. 10 by the Senators in the 2021 NHL Draft, will try to rebound from a 2022 23 season disrupted by injury.Boucher, who played part of the 2021 22 season at Boston University, is turning pro after parts of two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with Ottawa. Last season, Boucher had 17 points 10 goals, seven assists in 21 OHL games, but his season ended when he had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder in March.Brandt Clarke, Ontario Los Angeles Kings For the past several seasons the Kings have built a deep pool of top tier prospects.Clarke is their next young talent after choosing the defenseman No. 8 in the 2021 draft. The 20 year old spent the early part of last season with the Kings, where he had two assists in nine games, and Ontario, where he had a goal and an assist in a five AHL games.He then won a gold medal with Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship and finished his season in the OHL with Barrie, where he had 61 points 23 goals, 38 assists in 31 games. He was named to the OHL First All Star Team as well as the Canadian Hockey League First All Star Team.Clarke finsihed his season with 23 points seven goals, 16 assists in 12 OHL playoff games.Dylan Guenther, Tucson Arizona Coyotes Picked in between Clarke and Boucher in the 2021 draft was Guenther, who went to Arizona with the No. 9 pick.The rebuilding Coyotes have amassed a strong collection of prospects and are giving the 20 year old forward time to develop in the AHL. Guenther played 33 games with Arizona last season and had 15 points six goals https://www.krakenproteamstore.com/connor-carrick-jersey, nine assists before he was assigned to Seattle of the Western Hockey League, where he had 29 points 13 goals, 16 assists in 20 games.Like Clarke, Guenther won a gold medal for Canada at the WJC. He then finished fourth in WHL playoff scoring with 28 points league high 16 goals, 12 assists in 19 games to help Seattle reach the Memorial Cup tournament.Chaz Lucius, Manitoba Winnipeg Jets Lucius, a 20 year old forward, is working his way back after shoulder surgery ended his season.The No. 18 pick in the 2021 draft, Lucius started last season with Manitoba and had five points two goals, three assists in 12 games. After representing the United States at the WJC, he went to Portland of the WHL and had 15 points five goals, 10 assists in six games.Brennan Othmann, Hartford New York Rangers The 20 year old forward, chosen 16th in the 2021 draft by the Rangers, competed against Guenther for the Memorial Cup with Peterborough last season.Othmann finished his OHL career with Peterborough following a trade from Flint. He had 67 points 29 goals , 38 assists in 56 OHL games last season and tied for third in playoff scoring with 25 points eight goals, 17 assists in 23 games. His season also included a gold medal with Canada at the WJC.