The Athletic's Ben Standig talks about Jayden Daniels and day one of the NFL draft with David Harrison (SI/Locked on Commanders). What Adam Peters had to say about why he and his staff fell for the QB. Daniels on Peters, coming to Washington happily. day Day targets and priorities. Six QBs selected in first 12 picks is bonkers.

The Athletic's Ben Standig is wrapping up the pre-draft coverage with Commanders analyst Logan Paulsen. Ben begins with a dissertation on groupthink, everyone naming Jayden Daniels as the No. 2 pick and folks unwisely dismissing J.J. McCarthy's candidacy. Then Logan enters (27:45). More on McCarthy (Logan would pick him at 2), Drake Maye, and why we'll both probably land on Daniels. Is this draft for Washington more about '24 or '25? Trading up or back at 36. Logan's TE to watch. More. Ben...

The Athletic's Ben Standig is back talking with VSIN's Tim Murray about the Commanders and the NFL draft. Ben opens the episode with a reaction to the recent kerfuffle about Washington's choice at 2 and why he's not assuming Jayden Daniels is the pick (even though he keeps picking the LSU star). Then Tim enters (18:40) for some draft talk through the prism of the betting world. Do the latest odds reveal anything about the Commanders' plan? How many QBs and tackles in round one? Top 5 trades?...

The Athletic's Ben Standig is here for the Standig Room Only 2024 NFL first-round mock draft. Ben, Evan Silva (Establish The Run), and Danny Heifitz (The Ringer) alternate all 32 selections while sharing how they see each pick. There are conversations about the Commanders at 2, Drake Maye, whether Michael Penix goes in the first round, GM Aaron Rodgers, offensive tackles, and more. Trades were in play. One happened. No, not with two even before Commanders GM Adam Peters said on Thursday that...

The Athletic's Ben Standig is back talking about the NFL draft, Jayden Daniels's development -- and why teams are often so lousy with draft strategy. After opening with notes on Josh Harris' new batch of organizational upgrades, Ben welcomes in Vikings beat writer Alec Lewis (10:45). Alec researched the best practices in drafting for NFL teams an reasons why many choose not to follow them. Think trade down with some "Trust the Process." Also, how using virtual reality helped Jayden Daniels...

The Athletic's Ben Standig is here talking about the NFL draft with The Athletic's senior analyst Dane Brugler. Ben opens the episode running through his view of the teams choosing in the top 15, including the best bets for trades. Then it's Dane time (18:10). On J.J. McCarthys' rise even as someone touting the Michigan QB. The number one required element for quarterbacks. What matters with marrying a QB to Kliff Kingsbury's offense? Trading up for an offensive tackle. Day 2 options at Edge,...

The Athletic's Ben Standig follows up the 1-on-1 with Adam Schefter in the prior episode with more Commanders and NFL draft talk. Ben and Al Galdi (The Al Galdi podcast) discuss the QB talk at 2, what we should discuss beyond 2, and a reflection on how much the trial of the late O.J. Simpson impacted our news coverage to this day (8:35). Then 49ers insider Matt Barrows (The Athletic) with insight into how Commanders GM Adam Peters ran point for San Francisco's draft. Takeaways from Peters'...

The Athletic's Ben Standig talks Commanders and The NFL draft with ESPN's NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Ben opens the episode discussing the upcoming "30" visits for Daniels and Maye in Ashburn before welcoming in the NFL's go-to newsbreaker (8:35). They discuss what "signs" point them to Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick—for now. Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy buzz. Aggregation annoyance. Adam's friends question his NFL information. They also revisit the Ben Johnson/Commanders coaching...

The Athletic's Ben Standig is back for another round of Commanders' pre-draft talk -- with charts! Ben opens (1:00) with some show notes and Terry McLaurin's thoughts before playing some recent Q&A audio from Washington's top receiver (12:45). Then the chat shifts to those cool statistical charts seen all over social media. They're insightful, but with so many, how can we know which ones offer the most evaluation context? @fball_insights shares the data that best helps explain this class...

The Athletic's Ben Standig is talking -- wait or it -- quarterbacks with NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms. The former NFL quarterback is never shy about offering an opinion, and Chris came out firing with pros/cons, rankings/tiers, and specific insight on his top six passers, starting with Caleb Williams. As prospects, Jayden Daniels or C.J. Stroud? Who is the QB you want in the fourth quarter on 3-and-7? The J.J. McCarthy hype, the Drake Maye polarization and Michael Penix's underrated...

The Athletic's Ben Standig is talking Commanders with Sheil Kapadia (The Ringer). Ben opens with his current assessment of the QB-at-2 buzz and where the other eight draft picks slot into the depth chart. Then Sheil joins to analyze Washington's voluminous free agent moves, the apparent roster plan, Marcus Mariota, and Frankie Luvu. Also, Sheil's Josh Harris assessment as a 76ers fan, the Eagles' off-season/moving on from Brian Johnson and curious league-wide signings.

The Athletic's Ben Standig is still discussing this busy time for the Commanders. This time with Yahoo Sports senior NFL reporter Jori Epstein. Ben opens with thoughts on Drake Maye's pro day and the Commanders signing a veteran receiver. Then Jori enters to share insight from years of covering Washington head coach Dan Quinn at Dallas. His creativity with personnel and obsession with "superpowers." Also, what to make of the rumor mill buzz on the draft quarterbacks, pro day hype, and...

The Athletic's Ben Standig is so fired up to talk Commanders that he has two episodes coming back-to-back. In part one, Ben opens with thoughts on Jayden Daniels' pro day and an updated interpretation of how often Dan Quinn likely uses 5 or 6 defensive backs and, in turn, Jamin Davis. Then you'll hear Jim Harbaugh and Antonio Pierce from the league meetings talking about the quarterbacks they coached in college, J.J. McCarthy and Daniels. Finally, with the Wizards and Capitals remaining in...

The Athletic's Ben Standig is live from the NFL owners' meeting in Orlando, which is where the Washington Commanders' top three figures spent time answering questions from local and national media members. Ben and JP Finlay (106.7 The Fan) recapped all three sessions from Adam Peters and Dan Quinn on the QB search, plans at two, and free agency to Josh Harris' updates on the stadium search. Then The Athletic's Vikings insider, Alec Lewis, and Ben ponder Minnesota trading up into the top-4...

The Athletic's Ben Standig is here talking Commanders at college pro days, fact or fiction about free agency choices and more with Nicki Jhabvala. Ben opens the episode with what matters and what doesn't on the pro day circuit as Washington QB search makes stops at USC and Michigan this week, with UNC and LSU coming up. Then Nicki joins the chat. What does the Vikings trade for a second first-round pick say, if anything, about the Commanders' plans? Did Washington goof with Kam Curl? Favorite...

The Athletic's Ben Standig is here talking about Austin Ekeler and the Commanders' free agency, and the NFL draft with college football insider Bruce Feldman (The Athletic). Ben opens the show with a rundown of Washington's 19 transactions since last week, the latest on QBs at two and a new home for Chase Young. Then, Bruce drops knowledge on Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels' rise, Drake Maye's future, and J.J. McCarthy's popularity and highlights DE, WR, OL, and other prospects from his...

The Athletic's Ben Standig is here for another eventful day as the Commanders trade QB Sam Howell to Seattle and see Kam Curl, Kendall Fuller, and Curtis Samuel sign elsewhere. Al Galdi (The Al Galdi podcast) joins the show (before the Howell/vets news) for a position-by-position breakdown of what Washington did over the opening three days of free agency and what remains. Jahan Dotson, Marcus Mariota, Frankie Luvu, and the TE room are among the topics.

The Athletic's Ben Standig is assessing the Washington Commanders' free agency haul -- 15 agreements! -- with former NFL general manager Randy Mueller and 106.7 The Fan's Grant Paulsen. After day two of free agency, Ben and Randy (The Athletic) talked. Randy is a Frankie Luvu fan and sees the upside in Austin Ekeler. Plus, thoughts on Marcus Mariota and Sam Howell, Jeremy Chinn, the new defensive end rotation, and Adam Peters's plan. Then, after day three, Grant joined to discuss six-time...

The Athletic's Ben Standig wraps up a busy quasi-first day of NFL free agency as the Washington Commanders agreed to terms with six free agents, including LB Frankie Luvu, C Tyler Biadish -- and a kicker. As for RB Austin Ekeler, Chargers insider Daniel Popper stops by to share his thoughts on the signing and why the doubters should tread lightly before writing Ekeler off. Ben also explains how he assesses the first batch of signings and what it means that Jacoby Brissett and Antonio Gibson...

The Athletic's Ben Standig and Pro Football Focus's Brad Spielberger dive into free agency ahead of next week's start. The marketplace for Kam Curl and Kendall Fuller, and do they have futures in Washington? If the Commanders spend good money on a free agent, which position and player? Free agents discussed include Bryce Huff, Christian Wilkins, Curtis Samuel, Noah Brown, Tyler Boyd, Marquise Brown, Jacoby Brissett, Dorance Armstrong, and Zach Moss.

The Athletic's Ben Standig discusses Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye's film reviews, Zach Ertz's signing with the Commanders, and the cost of acquiring a second first-round pick. Ben opens with thoughts on Ertz replacing Logan Thomas before welcoming back The Athletic's film analyst, Ted Ngyuen, to discuss his new article about the pros and cons of each QB at 2. A conclusion is reached. J.J. McCarthy mentions included. Then, in conjunction with Ben's Commanders-only mock draft, Mike Smeltz is...

The Athletic's Ben Standig is here to talk at the intersection of the NFL draft and free agency with guests Nick Baumgardner (The Athletic) and Mike Florio (Pro Football Talk). Ben opens the episode with an array of post-Combine thoughts, including Drake Maye vs. Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy hype, and trading down from 2. The releases of Charles Leno and Logan Thomas mean what? Targeted free agency spending. Brief chat with Mike about Caleb Williams and Josh Harris sitting in QB...

The Athletic's Ben Standig is podcasting from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Topics galore. Senior NFL writer Kalyn Kahler shared insight into USC QB Caleb Williams following her investigative story for The Athletic on what the presumed No. 1 overall pick and his team seek upon entering the league and what it means for the Commanders. Ben opens the show with takeaways from comments by Adam Peters (QB search) and Dan Quinn (edge rusher plan). Renaming the current stadium and...

The Athletic's Ben Standig is in Indianapolis for this week's NFL Scouting Combine and talking about prospects with guest analyst Danny Kelly (The Ringer). Ben opens the episode with notes on Eric Bieniemy and Charles Leno before going through his initial draft of a mock draft. Thoughts on options at 2, but also the Commanders at 36, 40, and 67, and what to track leading to those slots. Then Ben and Danny discuss Day Two prospects, positional strengths (OL, WR) and weaknesses (edge, TE), and...