There are advantages to going 4-13, as the Washington Commanders did last NFL season.

For starters, it makes for a higher draft choice, which Washington, with second overall selection, used to nab Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Then there is the benefit of a watered-down schedule.

By finishing fourth and last in the NFC East, the Commanders “earn” a fourth-place schedule, meaning games versus three other bottom feeders.

That means fourth-place games against Tennessee (last in AFC South), Chicago (fourth in NFC North), and Arizona (last in NFC West).

It’s the NFL’s way of lending a helping hand to the underlings while creating more difficult challenges for the top dogs. For example, NFC East Champ Dallas will play three other divisional winners.

Under new Coach Dan Quinn, the Commanders will open Sept. 8 at Tampa Bay. Coach

Quinn, who served as Dallas defensive coordinator the past two seasons, replaces Ron Rivera with the big whistle on Washington’s sidelines.

Washington went 26-40-1 under Rivera from 2020 to 2023.

Washington will have another advantage in that it will play nine of its 17 games in Landover, Md. Half the other teams will have eight-game home slates.

The Commanders open their preseason schedule Aug. 17 at Miami and then play New England on Aug. 25 at newly named Commanders Field.