The Washington Commanders made some bold moves during the 2024 NFL Draft. Their first move was to select quarterback Jayden Daniels as the No. 2 overall pick, bringing in the talented Heisman Trophy winner to lead their offense. Following their quarterback pick, the Commanders turned their attention to bolstering their receiving corps, selecting Rice wide receiver Luke McCaffrey with the 100th overall pick.
McCaffrey brings a strong set of skills to the team, with ESPN’s Matt Miller noting his reliability in catching the ball and his potential to make an immediate impact as the team’s WR3.
One of the most intriguing aspects of McCaffrey’s selection is his family lineage. He is the younger brother of the star running back of the San Francisco 49ers Christian McCaffrey, and the son of former NFL receiver Ed McCaffrey. With football in his blood, McCaffrey brings a pedigree that could prove invaluable to the Commanders.
As a proven receiver throughout his college career, McCaffrey’s selection adds to an already busy day for Washington. In addition to him, they also added talent from various positions, including tight end, defensive tackle, guard, and cornerback.
With a mix of seasoned veterans and promising rookies, the Commanders are poised to make some noise in the upcoming season, as the team owner has been vying to bring about a change in the Commanders’ culture.
Luke McCaffrey’s NCAA stats
Luke McCaffrey started his college career with Nebraska in 2019 and showcased his versatility by throwing for over 600 yards and rushing for more than 500 in just 11 games as a Husker. However, it wasn’t until he transferred to Rice in 2021 that he made the switch to wide receiver.
After earning three starts at quarterback for Rice in 2021, the new Commanders WR made the decision to transition to receiver full-time. This change proved to be a wise one, as he flourished in his new role during the 2022 season.
In 2023, his skills as a wide receiver were on full display. He earned First Team All-AAC honors after recording an impressive stat line of 71 receptions, 992 yards, and 13 touchdowns. His touchdown total ranked him sixth in the entire FBS, as per SB Nation.
McCaffrey’s success didn’t go unnoticed by NFL scouts. He showcased his talents at the Reese’s Senior Bowl and impressed with a lightning-fast 40-yard dash time of 4.46 seconds at the NFL Combine.
