Washington kicks out Hopkins; Wizards season preview

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 Washington would use the No. 2 pick. Ben opens the show with thoughts from the press conference as Peters and assistant GM Lance Newmark talked about next week's draft and more.

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 soar at LSU and whether Minnesota trades into the top 5. Then, Greg Cosell from NFL Films shares his evaluations (42:20) of Daniels, Drake Maye, and J.J. McCarthy and how they fit with Washington. Edge rushers (Austin Booker), offensive tackles (Patrick Paul), and tight end (Jared Wiley) were also discussed. Also, the one free-agent signing Greg loves for Washington.

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, OT, CB.

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' many finds, the Trey Lance miss and more.

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 search drama and what that scenario revealed about the flow of news and information. Ben wraps up the episode with quarterback and offensive line tidbits from The Athletic's draft guide, "The Beast," via Dane Brugler (33:10)

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 of quarterbacks, receivers, offensive tackles, and edge rushers (15:50) along with Jahan Dotson. Lastly, as "Curb" says goodbye, Ben begins a (hopefully not preachy) "Airing of Grievances" segment, specifically on the discourse for Commanders' rumor mill, fake LeBron-Wizards transactions, the real Stefon Diggs trade and Caitlin Clark (1:05:08).

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 qualities. Plus, quick notes on some possible second-round targets. Ben opens the show with notes on his Commanders-only mock draft 2.0 and from the local beat's chat today on all the organizational changes with several holdover players, including Terry McLaurin and Daron Payne.

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 analysis of new rule changes, including banning hip-drop tackless and radical new kickoff plan.

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 D.C., WUSA's Eric Flack joins to ponder what this means for a new Commanders stadium.