The DC Sports Huddle by WTOP

After months of speculation, the Washington Commanders will finally decide what to do with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The WTOP Sports team offers their choice with Washington's top selection, the absolute must-have positions and/or players from this draft and whether the Burgundy and Gold should trade back into the first round for another blue chip prospect. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle: Capitals radio host and fellow WTOPer Ben Raby joins us from New York, where the Caps are trying to knock off the Presidents' Trophy-winning Rangers. Can the Capitals rebound from their Game 1 loss to win the series? Ben has the definitive answer on what Washington needs to pull off a big upset in the Big Apple. Huddle up with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork, and fellow sports anchor Dave Preston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the Big Dance! Don't do your NCAA Tournament brackets without the insight of our resident AP Top 25 voter Dave Preston, as he shares all we need to know about March Madness inside and outside the Beltway! Plus, the WTOP Sports team shares their Final Four picks and eventual champion in both the men's and women's brackets. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle podcast: The Washington Commanders, just a week into NFL free agency, have totally remade the roster. Hear which one addition in particular could lead the Burgundy and Gold from worst to first in the NFC East. Huddle up with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork, and fellow sports anchor Dave Preston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Washington Commanders opened the so-called "legal tampering" period of NFL free agency with a quantity of free agents — but what about the quality? The WTOP Sports team breaks down the reported additions one-by-one, assesses the most impactful signings and offers who Washington should target next. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle podcast: Our resident AP Top 25 voter Dave Preston gets you ready for Selection Sunday! Listen as he breaks down a path for the college basketball teams of local interest to reach the Big Dance. Huddle up with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork, and fellow sports anchor Dave Preston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we're sure you've heard by now, the Washington Commanders have the most available cap space in the NFL entering free agency. Who will get big bucks to wear Burgundy and Gold? And, should Washington spend big free agent dollars to improve their roster? The WTOP Sports team discusses the reality of the new ownership's approach, which Commanders free agents should be kept and who should be added from outside Ashburn. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle podcast: As NCAA basketball's conference tournaments begin, our resident AP Top 25 voter Dave Preston tells us what to watch for among the teams of local interest and which men's team inside the Beltway has the best shot at making the Big Dance. Huddle up with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork, and fellow sports anchor Dave Preston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks in part to Peter King's swan song bomb-drop, the debate over whether the Washington Commanders should trade up to the No. 1 overall pick and select local product Caleb Williams has reignited. The WTOP Sports team debates whether Washington should make the move, which quarterback is the best alternate at No. 2 and what to make of the remarks by the Burgundy and Gold braintrust from the NFL combine. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle podcast: Washington again fared terribly in the NFL player association's annual report card for NFL teams, ranking last overall and in some key categories. Our team breaks down what to make of it and how to fix what ails the Commanders. Plus, get Dave's informed take on court-storming in college basketball (did we mention he's an AP Top 25 voter?). Huddle up with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork, and fellow sports anchor Dave Preston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Washington Commanders introduced Dan Quinn as the 31st head coach in franchise history and the veteran leader made quite the impression on the WTOP Sports team. Listen to the highlights from Quinn's introductory press conference and hear the one takeaway that gives Rob hope of a Belichick-ian second act for DQ in D.C. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle podcast: The Commanders' addition of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has sparked discussion of projected No. 1 overall pick (and Gonzaga-grad) Caleb Williams coming home to play for Old D.C. We discuss the likelihood of such a move, the realities of Kingsbury's offenses and what's next for former OC Eric Bieniemy. We also touch on the top storylines of Super Bowl LVIII ahead of the big game! Huddle up with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork, and fellow sports anchor Dave Preston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Washington Commanders are reportedly hiring Dan Quinn to fill the NFL's last head coaching vacancy of the 2024 offseason. With interviewees Raheem Morris (Atlanta) and Mike Macdonald (Seattle) elsewhere — and Bobby Slowik and perceived frontrunner Ben Johnson staying where they are — did the Burgundy and Gold settle? Or was Quinn really a top candidate? The WTOP Sports team explains why Quinn is very different from his predecessor Ron Rivera. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle: Our team gives their way-too-early predictions for Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas and declares once and for all whether DC should embrace Baltimore as local. Huddle up with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork, and fellow sports anchor Dave Preston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Washington Commanders fired Ron Rivera after a four-year tenure in which he had no winning seasons. The WTOP Sports team ranks the best and worst of the Rivera era and offers what's next for the Burgundy and Gold, including dream scenarios for a new general manager and head coach. Huddle up with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork, and fellow sports anchor Dave Preston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the change in Commanders ownership to the potential move for the Wizards and Capitals (and everything in between), the WTOP Sports team recalls the top sports stories of the year, including DC sports’ Comeback Athlete of the Year, Breakthrough Athlete of the Year, Moment of the Year, Person/People of the Year and what most to look forward to in 2024. Huddle up with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork, and fellow sports anchor Dave Preston (with cameos from sports staffers Jose Umana and J. Brooks). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the Washington Commanders' latest loss in L.A., the Burgundy and Gold make one more road trip to face the New York Jets in a meeting of teams eliminated from playoff contention (again). The WTOP Sports team discusses how this could be a repeat of one of the franchise's all-time worst defeats. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle podcast: Would Ron Rivera the coach been better off without Ron Rivera the de facto general manager? Our team debates whether the Rivera era in Washington would have been better had the coach not also been given control over player personnel. Huddle up with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork, and fellow sports anchor Dave Preston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Washington Commanders emerge from their bye week with little left to play for, the WTOP Sports team poses the question: Could Mike Tomlin be the next head coach of the Burgundy and Gold? We break down the cost and what the Commanders would need to do to lure the Super Bowl-winning coach and Virginia native to Washington. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle: Can the Commanders pull off an upset in Los Angeles against Sean McVay's Rams? Plus, our resident AP Top 25 voter Dave Preston breaks down the college basketball landscape heading into the holidays. Huddle up with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork, and fellow sports anchor Dave Preston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ron Rivera needed a strong season to remain head coach in Washington but the Commanders are reeling from two blowout losses to division opponents in the same calendar week and have fallen into the NFC East basement at 4-8. Is there a benefit to moving on from the Rivera era entering Washington's Week 14 bye? The WTOP Sports team weighs the pros and cons of an in-season change. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle: our resident AP Top 25 voter Dave Preston breaks down the College Football Playoff picture -- will Florida State be bounced from the Top 4, and if so, who will replace them? -- and the biggest storyline entering an intriguing weekend of local college hoops. Huddle up on the podcast with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork, and fellow sports anchor Dave Preston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you frustrated with the Washington Commanders' 4-6 start to the season? Sick and tired of what Rob Woodfork calls "the treadmill of mediocrity?" Well, the WTOP Sports team discusses what Burgundy and Gold fans should watch for the remainder of this season, which pieces provide hope for 2024 and beyond, in addition to predictions for the game against the reeling New York Giants. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle: We debate whether Maryland can upset Michigan on Saturday and our resident AP Top 25 voter Dave Preston discusses what else to watch for in the college football weekend, plus shares his frustrations with some of the early-season college basketball. Huddle up on the podcast with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork, and fellow sports anchor Dave Preston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the season's midway point, the Washington Commanders are 4-5 entering Sunday's crucial game in Seattle. The WTOP Sports team breaks down the must-win matchup with the Seahawks, whether the Sam Howell hype is warranted and offer the Burgundy and Gold's biggest surprises and disappointments at halftime of the 2023 campaign, including a first-half MVP. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle podcast: As college basketball season begins, our resident AP Top 25 voter Dave Preston delves further into his college hoops previews on WTOP.com. Huddle up on the podcast with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork, and morning drive sports anchor Dave Preston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Washington Commanders were at the center of the NFL trade deadline, dealing away former first-round edge rushers Chase Young and Montez Sweat to jump start an obvious rebuild coming in 2024. The WTOP Sports team breaks down both the long-term prospects for the new-look franchise and how the Commanders will fare in what's historically been a miserable trip to New England. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle podcast: Longtime Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom is stepping away from the only NHL franchise he's known to focus on his health. Is this the last we'll see of Backstrom in a Caps uniform? How will the lineup look without him? Capitals Radio Network host (and fellow WTOPer) Ben Raby gives us the lowdown. Huddle up with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork, and fellow sports anchors Dave Preston and Ben Raby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Washington Commanders continue to watch their quarterback take sacks at a record rate. Is there a move to be made at the Oct. 31 trade deadline to fix this turnstile offensive line? Rob offers a couple of names to watch and the WTOP Sports team debates whether Washington should deal Chase Young and/or Montez Sweat. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle: The Wizards open their season in Indiana Wednesday but what should we expect from a team in transition? Our team gives predictions for the 2023-24 campaign in Washington. Huddle up with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork, and morning drive sports anchor Dave Preston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Washington Commanders have allowed the most sacks in the NFL. The New York Giants pass rush has generated a league-worst five sacks in six games. Something's got to give Sunday at the Meadowlands and the WTOP Sports team delves into which team's weakness continues. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle podcast: Rob Woodfork pointed out last year that the Washington Commanders under Ron Rivera have a tendency to rip off a four-game win streak to keep a season from going off the rails. Is Sunday's win in Atlanta the start of such a streak? And, what in the world happened to Maryland on homecoming weekend? Our resident AP Top 25 voter Dave Preston predicts what's next for the Terps following a disappointing loss entering their bye. Huddle up with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork and fellow sports anchor Dave Preston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Washington Commanders took a beating from the Bears and the defense is regressing. The WTOP Sports team breaks down what it means for coach Ron Rivera's chances to remain in Washington and the Burgundy and Gold's crucial game in Atlanta. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle: What do we make of the Washington Capitals going into the 2023-24 NHL season? Capitals Radio Network host and WTOP's own Ben Raby shares his players to watch this season, whether the Caps can return to the postseason and makes a prediction for Alex Ovechkin's goals tally in the Great 8's pursuit for Wayne Gretzky's all-time record. Huddle up with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork and fellow sports anchors Dave Preston and Ben Raby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Washington Commanders were beaten soundly by Buffalo, largely because of Sam Howell's historically inept outing. Was this just a bad matchup for the Burgundy and Gold or a warning sign that Howell isn't ready to be an NFL starter? The WTOP Sports team debates what comes of Howell if there's another Sunday slump in Philadelphia. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle: The guys riff on the lucrative Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce pairing and ... let's just call it a segment Taylor-made for what Dave Preston does best. Huddle up on the podcast with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork and fellow sports anchor Dave Preston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Washington Commanders won a rollercoaster game in Denver after eeking out a victory over the Cardinals but can the Burgundy and Gold get the better of the Buffalo Bills? The WTOP Sports team breaks down the matchup and lays the blueprint for Washington to start 3-0 for the first time since 2005. Speaking of a 3-0 start ... also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle: What would it mean for Washington to start 3-0? The stats say a special run comes to those who win their first three games. Huddle up with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork and fellow sports anchor Dave Preston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices