The 3 biggest remaining needs for the Commanders heading into Day 2 of the NFL Draft

The Washington Commanders have their quarterback of the future after selecting Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but obviously as a team picking No. 2 overall, plenty of work remains.

Fortunately Commanders general manager Adam Peters has not one, not two, not three, but five picks on. Day 2 to help plug roster holes. That number is comprised of two second-round picks and three third-round picks, so expect Washington to make a lot of noise on Friday.

So, with all that being said, let's take a look at the three biggest remaining needs heading into Day 2 of the draft.

1. Tackle

The Commanders have bodies at the tackle position, but only Braeden Daniels offers both a short- and long-term plan. As we all know, quarterbacks can't complete passes while laying on their back, so it's imperative the Commanders find a guy who can block the NFL's best pass rushers. 

This is a deep tackle class, even with the seven tackles already taken in Round 1. There's also a solid history of good tackles getting drafted in Round 2. Rams RT Rob Havenstein (2015), former Super Bowl champ LT Donovan Smith (2015), Jags LT Cam Robinson (2017), Vikings RT Brian O'Neill (2018), and Chiefs RT Jawaan Taylor (2019) are all examples of guys taken in Round 2 that went on to have solid -or great- careers. 

The Commanders have guys who can float the position in 2024, which allows them developmental flexibility with this pick, but they need to make this a priority, still, on Friday.

Potential options: BYU T Kingsley Suamataia, Yale T Kiran Amegadjie

2. EDGE

The defensive end/EDGE position is a lot like the Commanders' tackle situation: There are guys who can play, but there isn't that one true dude that can take over a game. 

There aren't many top options left after a pretty active first round, so it won't be a surprise if the Commanders take a guy at Nos. 36 or 40. 

Potential options: DE Marshawn Kneeland, DL Jer'Zhan "Johnny" Newton

3. Cornerback (specifically nickel)

It remains to be seen just how 2023 first-round pick, Emmanuel Forbes, fits into the new-look Commanders defense, as Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. definitely prefer the bigger corners for their man-heavy defense. But, like any good coaching staff would do, they can always adjust their scheme to fit their player's strengths. Still, it's going to be interesting to see what happens.

The team still needs a true nickelback, so Quan Martin can play more centerfield. Nickel is a starting position in today's NFL and it's becoming more and more important, as NFL offenses find more ways to get their best playmakers on the inside.

Potential options: Michigan CB Mike Sainristil, Georgia CB Kamari Lassiter 

These positions could use some help, too

• Wide receiver: If Terry McLaurin or Jahan Dotson go down then the receiver room, with all due respect, is a bottom-5 group.
• Tight end: Zach Ertz is 33 and the other guys don't have much experience. 
• Safety: Moving Martin into more of a true safety role helps the depth, but the team could still use more help after Kamren Curl's departure.