The NFL draft is less than a week away, kicking off in Pittsburgh on Thursday, April 23rd. The Commanders have held their annual Top 30 group visit at TopGolf and hosted 37 local prospects recently as they finalize their big board. Free agency was a big boost for the Washington Commanders, and now we have some new favorites in this week’s roundup.
This roundup has 85 mock drafts and 43 of them feature the Washington Commanders selecting an Ohio State player in the 1st round(only one via trade down). Safety Caleb Downs, linebacker Sonny Styles and wide receiver Carnell Tate have all seen their popularity for Washington rise this week. Downs and Styles have been popular, but Styles saw his name shoot up to #1 for Washington this week. Carnell Tate also saw his name called at No. 7 overall more this week, with ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. leading the way to give Jayden Daniels a new weapon.
Paired with another Ohio State product in Terry McLaurin, Tate would bring clean route running, reliability and some big-play ability. He averaged 17.2 yards per catch last season en route to 875 yards and nine trips to the end zone. Considering the Commanders would be relying on Luke McCaffrey, Treylon Burks and Dyami Brown behind McLaurin, this makes sense.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love had been the popular pick up until this week. His consensus mock position is No. 4 overall to the Tennessee Titans. There were still 11 mock drafters that wanted to pair Love with Jayden Daniels, and he continues to be a popular pick. The good thing about this week’s roundup is there are no more trade ups for the former Fighting Irish running back!
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LSU CB Mansoor Delane and a pair of pass rushers round out the options on defense for Washington. Rueben Bain Jr has been in the news lately after a story about an accident from a few years ago that resulted in the death of a passenger. His consensus has dropped from 7 to 9 over the last week, and his name has been linked a lot more to Washington. David Bailey gets a four mocks linking him to the Commanders, but his consensus has been No. 3 overall for weeks.
Colin Cowherd and another mocker don’t have much faith in Josh Conerly Jr, and have the Commanders taking the top offensive tackle in the draft. Francis Mauigoa is described as a right tackle who could play guard which screams #7 overall pick. USC wide receiver Makai Lemon gets a pair of mocks that give him to Jayden Daniels and David Blough.
There are no trade ups this week, but we’ve got seven different trade downs to talk about. The Commanders trade down with the Chiefs(#9), Dolphins(#11), Ravens(#14), Buccaneers(#15), Jets(#16), and Steelers(#21). Wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.(Indiana) gets picked three times after trading down. Ben Standig gets generous and gives the Commanders Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at #9. USC WR Makai Lemon goes to Washington at #11. Athlon Sports gives Jayden Daniels a new weapon we haven’t seen linked to them before, Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq. The last name on the list is Miami EDGE Akheem Mesidor.
Position breakdown:
RB – 11
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WR – 17
OT – 2
S – 11
CB – 4
LB – 17
EDGE/OLB – 16
Trade down – 7
Where will Washington pick, and who/what position should they take next year?
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Mock Draft Sim powered by FanSpeak
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The Athletic (Brugler)
A backfield that includes Jayden Daniels and Love would be bad news for defenses. Though the price tag is high for the position, Love has the talent to become a top-five running back before the end of his rookie contract.
Round 3: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
Round 5: Albert Regis, DT, Texas A&M
Round 6: Tyreak Sapp, EDGE, Florida
Round 6: TJ Hall, CB, Iowa
Round 7: Alan Herron, OL, Maryland
CBS Sports (Dajani)
The Commanders land a player some believe is the best in this entire class with running back Jeremiyah Love. The Heisman Trophy finalist is a home run-hitting, versatile playmaker out of the backfield. He should be a fun pairing with Jayden Daniels.
CBS Sports (Dubin)
The idea of taking a running back this high in the draft makes *me* queasy, but it seemingly doesn’t do the same for NFL general managers and the idea of pairing Love with Jayden Daniels in the backfield might be too enticing for Washington to pass up.
CBS Sports (Edwards)
Washington addresses the running back room with a no doubt feature back. A run game featuring Jayden Daniels and Jeremiyah Love will test the discipline of opposing defenses if used correctly. The Commanders also need pass catchers, but that does not necessarily mean it has to be a running back. Love can be an asset on pass downs.
NBC Sports (Dvorchak)
This is the backstop for Love. The Commanders have one of the league’s weakest backfields and Jayden Daniels is the perfect quarterback to open up running lanes for a home run specialist like Love.
Establish the Run (Daigle)
The Commanders hold this pick, then don’t have another selection until No. 71, potentially moving down if both Sonny Styles and Love are selected before they’re on the clock.
Essentially Sports (Hubbard)
The Washington Commanders could go a lot of different directions here, but if Jeremiyah Love falls into their laps, I think they have to take him. They need to help Jayden Daniels out, so while receiver would probably be smarter, Love is miles ahead of any of the receivers in this class. He would take a lot of the load of Daniels’ shoulders.
Fantasy Pros (Sosic)
Jeremiyah Love is the perfect “home run” threat to pair with Jayden Daniels, giving the Commanders a versatile chess piece who can dominate as both a runner and a receiver. His elite 4.36 speed and record-breaking production at Notre Dame make him a nightmare for defenses already stressed by Daniels’ mobility.
Adding Love would effectively complete Washington’s offensive transformation in offensive coordinator David Blough’s dynamic new system. Their aggressive free-agent spending on the front seven afforded Washington the flexibility to select the best player available and secure a do-it-all playmaker who changes how defenses have to play them.
FF Today (Bales)
The Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints signing running backs to big contracts in free agency suggests that Love isn’t going to make it to them. A few teams are in the mix, but he lands with Washington. They signed two mediocre options at running back (Rachaad White, Jerome Ford), and it’s a position they can still upgrade. He’ll immediately create a dynamic duo with Jayden Daniels. This would create significant mismatches for their opponents, and Love has the talent to be a running back drafted in the top 10.
Panthers Wire (Rizzuti)
While Love sits atop many a board as the No. 1 prospect in this entire draft, the value of the running back position could ding his stock. That shouldn’t be an issue for the Commanders, who find themselves an exciting complement to quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Penn Live (McGonigal)
In one of my recent mocks, I had the Commanders trading up for Love. Here, he fell right in their lap. Love and Jayden Daniels would be one of the more fun backfield duos in the league.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
ESPN (Kiper)
Paired with another Ohio State product in Terry McLaurin, Tate would bring clean route running, reliability and some big-play ability. He averaged 17.2 yards per catch last season en route to 875 yards and nine trips to the end zone. Considering the Commanders would be relying on Luke McCaffrey, Treylon Burks and Dyami Brown behind McLaurin, this makes sense.
The McShay Report (Muench)
Still-unsigned free agent Deebo Samuel led Washington in targets, catches, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns in 2025, and Terry McLaurin missed seven games due to injuries. Seven years after taking McLaurin in the third round, the Commanders take another Ohio State receiver and the top pass catcher on our board in Tate.
New York Post (Bonsignore)
Nobody is happier with how the draft played out for the Commanders than Jayden Daniels, who now gets to throw to a dynamic wide receiver.
Round 3: Romello Height, Edge, Texas Tech
NFL Mocks (Harper)
The Commanders are entering the 2026 season with new uniforms, so why not add a big-time playmaker to wear them? Looking further down the line, Terry McLaurin could find his way out of Washington in the near future, and drafting Tate now could position him nicely to be a viable succession plan.
Sportsbook Review (Paul)
After bringing in pass rush help in free agency, Washington Commanders GM Adam Peters will likely want to add a pass catcher early in the draft, and who better than the top wide receiver prospect? Carnell Tate has phenomenal ball skills/tracking ability, and his body control makes him a dangerous threat in 50/50 situations (85.7% contested catch rate). He can win downfield and is an ascending route runner that will complement fellow Buckeye Terry McLaurin well on the outside.
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Touchdown Wire
Jeremiyah Love and Sonny Styles would’ve been tempting if they still available. Fortunately, the Browns traded down, therefore passing on Tate, who gives Jayden Daniels and the Commanders a new, young weapon in the passing game. We’ve heard how none of these receivers are a Ja’Marr Chase, considering you are picking them in the top 10. That may be true, but Justin Jefferson was picked 22nd overall in 2020. Tate has some elite skills, and in Washington he doesn’t immediately need to step into a starring role.
Bleacher Report
The Washington Commanders experienced two massive swings in opposite directions over the last two seasons.
First, they found a franchise quarterback in Jayden Daniels, and the rookie led them to the NFC Championship Game. The next, the sophomore signal-caller struggled through injuries and the team fell to 5-12.
The key is keeping Daniels healthy and placing the best possible supporting cast around him. Since Washington’s offensive line is set, the Commanders turn to the skill positions and provide Daniels with the class’ WR1.
“Carnell Tate would create a strong one-two punch along Terry McLaurin,” Parson said. “Tate is a route technician with veteran-like savviness. He is a three-level receiver with a strong catch radius to high-point down the field.”
Round 3: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
The Score (Wilkins)
It seems like it’s only a matter of time before Brandon Aiyuk reunites with Jayden Daniels in Washington. But with the 49ers slow-playing that process, and Aiyuk still yet to see the field since his 2024 knee injury, that can’t be the only move Washington makes to bolster the receiver room alongside Terry McLaurin. Tate’s combination of route-running skills and contested-catch prowess could make him a star at the next level.
DAZN (Abbey)
Fantasy Points (Gremminger)
Washington adds another big threat on the outside opposite veteran WR Terry McLaurin in Tate. He has an alpha profile and immediately makes this offense more dynamic. He can become Jayden Daniels’ long-time #1 target.
Buccaneers.com (Smith)
The run on defensive front seven players didn’t work out great for Washington here, but they pivot to Tate for a receiving corps that lacks punch after Terry McLaurin.
4 for 4 (Noonan)
Washington gets their outside wide receiver. The depth chart looks pretty bleak outside of Terry McLaurin, and Tate fits in nicely for a team that used a lot of its cap space on the defensive side of the ball when free agency opened.
Chicago Bears on SI (Martuneac)
Quarterback Jayden Daniels was showing signs of regression in 2025, even before the injuries started piling up. The Commanders have to be sure that he’s their franchise quarterback after this season, so I have them bringing in a dynamic receiver to take pressure off of Daniels and Terry McLaurin.
AL.com (Hammond)
Washington gets their target for QB Jayden Daniels.
Mock Draft Database
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
NFL.com (Rank)
Look, Commanders: I’ve seen a lot of mock drafts where you don’t take a receiver in Round 1, and that’s just wrong. The TOP priority should be making sure Jayden Daniels has as much offensive firepower around him as possible. You can’t roll into next season with Luke McCaffrey and Treylon Burks as Terry McLaurin’s top companions at receiver. I personally love Makai, who has drawn comparisons to Amon-Ra St. Brown — perhaps it’s because they both played at USC — but you need to come out of this first round with a new wide receiver of some sort. In my mind, Lemon is going to be an NFL stud.
Pro Football Network (Elijah)
Just two seasons removed from an NFC Championship appearance, the Washington Commanders suddenly find themselves searching for answers after a disappointing 5-12 campaign. For a team looking to rebound quickly, USC’s Makai Lemon is the kind of multi-facet player who can help accelerate the turnaround and bring much-needed energy back to the Commanders’ offense.
One of the most versatile weapons in the draft class, Lemon brings the kind of skill set that can immediately inject life into an offense that struggled to consistently generate explosive plays. Lemon’s impact wouldn’t stop on offense, either. His ability as a return specialist adds another layer of value, giving Washington a boost on special teams.
Round 3: Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama
Round 5: Roman Hemby, RB, Indiana
Round 6: Jalen Huskey, S, Maryland
Round 6: Nadame Tucker, EDGE, Western Michigan
Round 7: Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Carrol
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
FOX Sports (Cowherd)
Well, Jayden Daniels needs protection. Laremy Tunsil, meet Francis Mauigoa. Many people think he could interior and play guard. He’s not a left tackle. he’s more of a right tackle. I don’t think he has elite foot quickness, so maybe you move him inside. But I’ve got Jayden Daniels. Daniels is getting banged up in this league.
Odds to be No. 7 pick: +2200
FTN Fantasy (Ratcliffe)
Washington was the second-favorite team destination for Jeremiah Love at +210, but with Love off the board, the Commanders pivot to the next-best available player. Mauigoa is the first offensive lineman off the board at -230 on FanDuel. His top-10 pick odds sits at -425 on FanDuel.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
NFL.com (Band)
Dan Quinn is always looking to build waves of pressure up front, so I wouldn’t rule out Washington taking a premium edge rusher here. Downs feels like the cleaner fit if the board falls this way. GM Adam Peters and Quinn have emphasized adding young, fast, high-character difference-makers, and Downs gives them a versatile defensive tone-setter who can align deep, drop into the box or handle matchup duties.
NFL.com (Filice)
If players were drafted on game tape alone — putting aside things like positional value, physical prowess and athletic testing — Downs would be a top-five pick all day long. In this world, the Commanders happily pounce on the cerebral safety at No. 7, continuing a much-needed makeover of Dan Quinn’s defense.
USA Today (Middlehurst-Schwartz)
After spending big to overhaul its pass rush, Washington still looks due for an additional difference-maker on its defense. While cornerback Mansoor Delane deserves to be squarely in the conversation here, Downs can handle almost any assignment thrown at him and be a force multiplier for a unit that’s still not on solid ground.
Sporting News (Iyer)
The Commanders keep the Buckeyes run going and overcome their disappointment in not landing Love with Downs sliding down to them to fill a need for a busy playmaking linebacker/safety hybrid. Dan Quinn will love having this impactful chess piece.
Round 3: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
The Commanders need to get more dynamic in the slot to help Terry McLaurin and Branch offer more as a big playmaker with some outside upside.
Pro Football Focus (Locker)
The Commanders could be tempted to trade down given that they only possess one other pick in the top 146, but Downs is simply too tantalizing to pass up. Having secured a 91.0-plus PFF run-defense and coverage grade throughout his decorated three-year career, Downs accelerates Washington’s defensive rebuild and fits wonderfully next to free-agent signing Nick Cross.
NFL Draft on SI (Melo)
Our first big surprise! Washington has been linked to Carnell Tate throughout the pre-draft process, but with Tate off the board, the conversation shifts. The Commanders would love to trade back here, but their most realistic dance partner is Dallas, and I’m skeptical they would hand a division rival a top-10 pick.
That takes us to three intriguing defensive prospects: Caleb Downs, Rueben Bain Jr. and Mansoor Delane. Adam Peters’ two explicit offseason priorities were improving the pass rush and getting younger and faster. Bain would improve the pass rush, Delane would make them younger and faster, but Caleb Downs is the most talented player left on the board. The buzz has been building lately for Downs to sneak into the top five, and although he doesn’t go quite that high here, he could make sense for the Commanders even if they did manage to trade down. He doesn’t play a premium position, but he is a premium player. Peter Schrager says NFL GMs are ready to throw out positional value this year, and we can see that so far with a running back, linebacker and now safety in the top seven picks.
A to Z Sports (Forness)
The Commanders get my top player in the class with Downs, as they are the ones to capitalize on him being the latest safety to fall down the board. Downs is a versatile player with elite instincts who can be a dynamic player for Daronte Jones.
Saturday Blitz (Rome)
Dan Quinn will be tasked with rebounding this season, the Commanders may look to find an offense-minded head coach to pair with Jayden Daniels. The Commanders improved the defense a ton in free agency, but the unit could use some help on the back end. Caleb Downs can be the ultimate chess piece for Dan Quinn, as he’ll likely step right into the NFL and be one of the best safeties in the league.
The Sports Bank
“The 20-year-old Hoschton, GA native transferred in from Alabama last offseason, and his run stopping capabilities are top-notch. A true “run stuffer,” he can fill gaps to shut down rush lanes effectively.
He’s probably the best overall prospect in this class, regardless of position.
Sports Information Solutions (Edwards)
Round 3: Skyler Bell, WR, UConn
Round 5: Nicolas Singleton, RB, Penn State
Round 6: Febechi Nwaiwu, G, Oklahoma
Round 6: Trey Moore, EDGE, Texas
Round 7: Thaddeus Dixon, CB, North Carolina
SB Nation (Dator)
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
NFL.com (Reuter)
Delane’s speed and ball skills allow Dan Quinn to utilize man coverage on at least one side of the field on a regular basis.
Round 3: Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
Round 5: Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati
Round 6: Jager Burton, C, Kentucky
Round 6: Red Murdock, LB, Buffalo
Round 7: Jam Miller, RB, Alabama
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A to Z Sports (Roberts)
Delane isn’t always flashy, but he is such an efficient cover man. His combination of instincts, quickness, and competitiveness allows him to combat very different styles of wide receivers.
NFL Trade Rumors (Ulrich)
With just two picks in the top 100 right now, add Washington to the list of teams that would love to trade down if the opportunity presents itself. If they stick and pick, which is the more likely outcome, they should be in a great spot to get a really good player at a position of need. Tate or Styles might be the preference, and Downs can’t be ruled out, but Delane is a super-clean prospect and arguably the best player available at this junction. While the Commanders have invested a lot in the cornerback room the last few years, adding Delane would help complete the transformation from weakness to strength.
Round 3: Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
Washington sorely needs a viable alternative to prevent defenses from zeroing in on just WR Terry McLaurin in 2026. Fields would be a stab at finding that. He’s a possession type with sneaky agility who brings an element at 6-4 and over 300 pounds that the Commanders don’t
Sharp Football Analysis (Donahue)
Another team that may be looking to trade down with no second-round pick, especially if the draft falls this way. If they can’t find a trade partner, Delane fits everything GM Adam Peters typically looks for in a first-round pick. The Commanders have made several additions to their defense, which ranked 31st in EPA per play allowed last year, but not at the cornerback position. They also released Marshon Lattimore.
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
ESPN (Miller)
Another pick, another scout preferring to trade out. That was the desire of the second AFC East area scout we enlisted for this exercise when given the Commanders.
“The Commanders don’t have one glaring need, and in a draft light on blue-chip talent, it’s tempting to trade back and get more capital instead of debating between a non-premium position or maybe drafting a third cornerback. But I have an idea,” he sent back after some pushback on the no-trade rules.
“Dan Quinn knows the value of a linebacker with range and playmaking ability — it’s why he signed Bobby Wagner. Styles has that athletic ability, but he’s 6-foot-5, eliminates passing windows, and he’s a capable blitzer, too.”
Styles was everywhere in his three seasons as a starter, notching 235 tackles with nine sacks, nine passes defensed and an interception. He was the Buckeyes’ team captain last season and earned first-team All-America honors while leading OSU in tackles with 82. Styles’ upside is remarkable, with comparisons to Fred Warner often made when discussing him with NFL teams.
Last Man Standig
The bigger question is whether the elite athlete is still on the board, not whether Washington would be interested in adding the 6-foot-5, 244-pound converted safety who paced all linebackers at the Combine in the 40 (4.46) and vertical leap (43.5 inches).
Tennessee looms as the pivot point with what’s shaping up as a Love or Styles debate. The Commanders would become a likely landing spot for the Notre Dame RB should he reach No. 7.
Round 3: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
Washington could skip receiver, especially if Brandon Aiyuk is eventually headed to town. Otherwise, the 6-foot-3 Hurst works as a target with 4.42 speed and an ability to run routes while maintaining pace within the breaks. Ole Miss WR De’Zhaun Stribling, Penn State DE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Ohio State CB Davison Igbinosun, Penn State S Zakee Wheatley and Florida C Jake Slaughter are other names in the third-round mix.
CBS Sports (Renner)
The Commanders have already added multiple players to get more athletic in their front seven, and this would be the cherry on top. Styles is the freakiest linebacker to come out in some time — maybe ever. His ability to do anything Dan Quinn asks would be a far cry from the limited athletes Washington had at the position last year.
Round 3: Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
FOX Sports (Schwartz)
Washington needs to improve its defense, which was third-worst in yards per play last season. Styles is an off-the-ball linebacker who Dan Quinn can mold into a franchise player for his defensive unit.
Walter Football (Campbell)
Washington needs some young talent in the middle of their defense. Here’s a long-term replacement for Bobby Wagner.
In 2025, Styles had 83 tackles, five passes defended, one interception, .5 sacks, and a forced fumble. Styles (6-4, 243) has a lot of talent and started to play up to his potential during the 2024 season. He finished with 100 tackles, six sacks, one forced fumble, and five passes broken up. In 2023, he recorded 53 tackles, two sacks, and one pass batted, plus he has been very good in pass coverage. Styles started out as a safety, but was eventually moved to linebacker. Given his size, he fits best as a linebacker in the NFL. Styles is fast, athletic, and versatile. He could be a valuable zone coverage linebacker who is also a sideline-to-sideline run defender. He put his great skill set on display with an amazing NFL Scouting Combine performance.
Round 3: Romello Height, DE, Texas Tech
Washington could use more long-term edge rush talents.
In 2025, Height was a dangerous edge rusher and combined with David Bailey and Lee Hunter to help produce a lethal defensive line for the Red Raiders. Height totaled 10 sacks with 38 tackles, two forced fumbles, and a pass batted. Height (6-4, 250) showed some speed off the edge with functional strength to get off blocks. He was impressive against Oregon in the college football playoff game as well.
Round 5: Michael Taaffe, S, Texas
Washington adds some safety depth and competition.
Round 6: Chris Hilton, WR, LSU
Washington could use wide receiver depth and competition.
Round 6: Athan Kaliakmanis, QB, Rutgers
Washington takes some quarterback depth with a player they’ve shown interest in.
Walter Football
The Redskins had severe issues defending the middle of the field last year. Bobby Wagner is a million years old, so Washington needs a new linebacker.
Sonny Styles is a versatile linebacker who plays well in coverage. This is the highest he’s ever been in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, but he had an amazing combine in which he broke records, and he’s now in the conversation to be the fifth-overall pick.
Round 3: Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
Washington’s secondary has been a disaster for far too long. The front office must take care of this problem.
Jalon Kilgore is tall and thickly built. He picked off five passes this past season.
Round 5: Patrick Payton, DE, LSU
The Redskins added some edge rushers in free agency, but two of them were signed to just 1-year deals.
Patrick Payton is raw and needs to add bulk, but he has immense upside.
Round 6: Cyrus Allen, WR, Cincinnati
Terry McLaurin is old, while the rest of the receiver group is underwhelming.
Cyrus Allen is a terrific route runner with quality hands who can make plays after the catch. There are some durability concerns, however.
Round 6: Noah Thomas, WR, Georgia
The Redskins could easily double up on receivers, given the lack of talent they have at the position.
Noah Thomas is a 6-foot-5 receiver with mismatch ability.
Pro Football Network (Decker)
The third Ohio State Buckeye comes off the board as the Commanders select the superstar of the NFL Scouting Combine.
The physical specimen ran a 4.46 40-yard dash, jumped a 43.5” vertical, and measured in at 6’5”, 244 pounds.
Sonny Styles is a freak athlete who offers positional flexibility. He’s a former slot cornerback turned linebacker. He is highly instinctive and technically sound; he’s a great block destroyer, has exceptional ball skills for a linebacker, and consistently rallies to the football.
Round 3: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
Boston Sports Journal (Giardi)
You know how I feel about the player. Dan Quinn will know how to deploy him as a movable chess piece.
Chicago Tribune (Biggs)
The secondary has been a problem area the last two seasons for the Commanders, but Styles is viewed as a can’t-miss prospect and has the range and length to be a chess piece in the middle of Dan Quinn’s defense.
Establish the Run (Silva)
HC Dan Quinn’s 2025 defense coughed up the league’s third-most yards per play (6.0) and sixth-most points per game (26.5). Commanders GM Adam Peters, a former 49ers exec, helped draft Fred Warner in San Francisco. Styles’ game is similar.
Roto Baller (Gregory)
If Jeremiyah Love is off the board, then the Commanders will switch their priority with this pick toward a trade or a defender. With no one looking to move up here, the choice is between Styles and Mansoor Delane, with Styles the better prospect and the bigger need.
Round 3: A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
Washington needs a free safety, and Haulcy’s range makes him a good fit for that hole. You’d like to see the Commanders get more help for Jayden Daniels with this pick, but odds still favor them adding Brandon Aiyuk at some point this offseason, which makes a defensive-minded draft more logical.
Clutch Points (Crean)
The Commanders need to get younger, more talented, and more athletic on defense. Sonny Styles checks all those boxes and has a super-high ceiling. Dan Quinn will love this pick.
Round 3: Skyler Bell, WR, UConn
Cleveland.com (Bielik)
If Styles fell past the top five, the Commanders might have a hard time passing on him. He’s a true three-down linebacker who can play in all situations, and for a Washington defense that was 28th against the pass and 30th against the run, they need players who can excel in both situations.
The Huddle (Orth)
The absence of a second-round pick (traded to Houston) almost guarantees this selection will be need-based. While Jeremiyah Love would be the dream pick here (and it will most likely be if he falls this far), the Commanders would be foolish to let the freakish Styles slip past them as they prepare for life with Bobby Wagner. It might not be the best move for 2026 because of the logjam it would create with Frankie Luvu and Leo Chanel, but Washington’s future would be set on the second level of the defense for the next few years with Styles and Chenal.
Takeaways
Though Styles might not make it to this pick, I’m giddy about the fit here. Bobby Wagner is a free agent, and even if he returns, a successor is needed. Styles fits his mold so well as a 3-down LB who can cover, blitz, and tackle with great skill. Off-ball LBs normally don’t go this high in the draft, but Styles is a special case. He’s barely scratching the surface of his potential, yet he’s already really good. Washington’s veteran defense completely flopped last year, so they need young talent to infuse life into the unit. Styles most certainly qualifies, and the Commanders would be thrilled to land him outside the top 5.
Bleacher Report (Sobleski)
Draft Countdown (Paul)
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
USA Today (Ostly)
Washington spent to bring in pass rushers in free agency but could always use more, especially for what was one of the oldest defenses in the league in 2025. Bain’s arm length questions will linger but his tape shows evidence that he relies on power within that shorter frame to win. He may never be a 20-sack player but he’d be enough to lift the floor of this Commanders defense.
Round 3: Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
Washington’s back on the board and snatches up the do-everything Hoosier wide receiver. Sarratt isn’t a breakaway threat in the passing game but is an adept route-runner with reliable hands and alignment versatility.
Washington sends No. 147 overall to Detroit for No. 157 and No. 222 overall.
Round 5: Malik Benson, WR, Oregon
We had the Commanders moving down and recouping an extra draft pick and they still get a vertical threat at wide receiver in Benson.
Round 6: Marlin Klein, TE, Michigan
Round 7: Nick Barrett, DT, South Carolina
Round 7: Pat Coogan, C, Indiana
CBS Sports (Hunt)
I know the Commanders added Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson in free agency, but it’ll be hard to pass on another talented pass rusher in Rueben Bain Jr. Short arms be damned — this guy is a game-wrecker and fits Dan Quinn’s mentality.
CBS Sports (Pereles)
On one hand, the Commanders are, in my eyes, a trade-back candidate. On the other hand, should Rueben Bain (and/or David Bailey) be available, I have a hard time envisioning they’d pass up a chance at one of them. Bain plays with heavy hands, extreme power and tireless effort. Coach Dan Quinn preaches playing violently, and Bain embodies that idea.
The Ringer (Heifertz)
As a player, Bain would be a good fit for Washington here, as the Commanders still need front-seven pass rush help even after free agency. But a recent report found that Bain was the driver in a 2024 car accident that resulted in the death of a passenger in his vehicle. It is unclear how NFL teams will react to this information.
The Draft Network (Eisner)
Rueben Bain Jr. is one of the top three-down edge rushers in the 2026 NFL Draft class and would be an immediate upgrade for the Washington Commanders’ defense, which allowed the fifth-most yards per game (242.5) last season. Oddsmakers currently have Bain listed at +500 to be Washington’s No. 7 overall pick, trailing only a couple of other blue-chip prospects who have already come off the board in this mock.
NBC Sports Philadelphia (Mulhern)
The Commanders need major help off the edge and Bain is one of the most productive players in this class. He dominated during Miami’s run to the National Championship Game. There are questions about his arm length, and some off-field issues have come on the radar this week, but Bain is still a rock-solid pick at seven.
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NFL Spin Zone (Scataglia)
Rueben Bain Jr, as I have said before, is a player that evaluators are probably overthinking. He’s got incredible bend and a profile to get to the quarterback consistently. The size could be a concern, but it should not be a big enough concern to push him down the draft board.
Bain is a top-10 pick in our recent mock and heads to Washington to join a revamped defensive line.
Round 3: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
Fantasy Life (Freedman)
Rueben Bain started all three years in college, and last season he won the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top DE and earned consensus first-team All-American recognition.
His lack of height (6-foot-2) and arm length (30.88-inch arms) are issues, but his power as a rusher speaks for itself.
The Commanders need a DL upgrade.
Fantasy Pros (Fitzmaurice)
The Commanders added EDGE defenders Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson in free agency, but the powerful Bain can be a three-down defensive end who moves inside on passing downs.
Lineups (Janvrin)
There’s a lot of talk about Bain Jr.’s arm length, and understandably so, as it’s in the 1st-percentile. No, I don’t mean that they’re long. Rather, they’re among the shortest at the position ever.
Bain Jr. wins with power, and he would bring something to most pass-rushing units that they may not have. The Chiefs are a popular landing spot for him at No. 9 overall (assuming no trade-ups), but there is a world where the Saints or Commanders also take him depending on whether Reese and Bailey go early.
I’ll take the value with the Under.
The Big Lead (De Lima)
Rueben Bain Jr. led the nation with 83 total QB pressures and recorded 9.5 sacks in 2025. The Commanders ignore the reach for a quarterback to take a block-destructor. Washington allowed a league-high 384.3 yards per game last year; Bain’s violent hands and ability to slide inside on passing downs offer the versatility Dan Quinn needs to rebuild a defensive front that struggled to close games in the fourth quarter.
Bears Wire (Zbroszczyk)
The slide for Rueben Bain ends, if there ever was one. Bain packs a punch and has good bend. He can shove tackles off, has good hand and feet alignment. The short arm conversation will continue until Bain debunks it with his play. Commanders did sign Odafe Oweh, but a defense that was poorest last season, this is a need.
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
USA Today (Tice/McDonald)
There might not be a more Dan Quinn-coded pass rusher in this class than Bailey, who thrives with his speed to hawk down quarterbacks off the edge in a way that should translate cleanly to the NFL. However, there’s plenty of room for him to improve as a run defender and to get stronger in those areas, which may be a liability early in his pro career. Still, Bailey is not completely hopeless in that area and should be a high impact player who racks up pressures and sacks.
Bleacher Nation (Rooney)
If an EDGE with as high a ceiling as David Bailey is sitting there, I think Washington has to take him. I’m not sure how teams will view the recent news on Rueben Bain Jr.’s reckless driving incident from a few years ago that came out over the weekend, but I think that might be enough to ensure Bailey goes off the board first. Bailey is a great player who produced at a very high level last season.
Stadium Rant (Willey)
The Commanders are heavily lacking in their pass rush, and David Bailey is an immediate and long-term fix for that.
Bailey recorded 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss (TFL) in 2025 and showed off an impressive 35” vertical at the NFL Combine. He’s arguably the best edge rusher in this Draft. He may not fall past the top five, but if he does, Washington needs to take him.
Tankathon
Trade down
Last Man Standig
Commanders receive pick #9(Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State), #74, #177, 2027 5th
Chiefs receive pick #7(Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami), #147
Washington remains in range for a blue-chip talent while adding an early third-round pick. Downs edges Mansoor Delane here based on positional value within the projected defensive structure. Too many people whose draft insights are respected continually bring up Downs’ instinctive and playmaking excellence. I’ll listen for now.
Round 3: Dani Dennis-Sutton, DE, Penn State
Though more “high floor” than “high ceiling,” Dennis-Sutton ranked first among defensive ends in Relative Athletic Score, or RAS. The 6-foot-6, 256-pound edge (4.6 40) can rotate early while developing into a potential starter by 2027.
Round 3: De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss
Another Day 2 receiver with size (6-foot-2) and speed (4.36) who could quickly emerge. The sculpted Stribling would be more of a physical receiver than a pure burner, but that toughness led to averaging at least 14 yards per catch in each of his final three college seasons.
In addition to the prospects mentioned in the prior mock, Indiana WR Elijah Sarratt, Missouri LB Josiah Trotter and LSU S A.J. Haulcy are projected in this range.
McShay Report
Commanders receive #16(Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana), #44, and #140
Jets select Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State at #7
By moving back from no. 7 to no. 16, Washington is able to recoup its second-round pick while adding an extra fourth-rounder, bringing its total draft capital to eight selections.
The bigger picture is this: The Commanders have a young star at quarterback in Jayden Daniels but not nearly enough playmaking talent around him. New OC David Blough is looking for size and run-after-the-catch physicality on the outside, and Cooper checks those boxes. He would step in as an immediate starter, and his inside-out versatility would give Blough flexibility in three-receiver sets, where Cooper could work alongside Terry McLaurin and either Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, or Deebo Samuel.
CBS Sports (Fornelli)
Commanders trade down to #15 and select Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Buccaneers select Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami at #7
After moving down, the Commanders still end up getting a Miami Hurricane to help their pass rush.
Athlon Sports (Easterling)
Commanders receive #14(Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon), #45
Ravens select Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State at #7
After moving back and getting a much-needed second-rounder to replace the one they traded to Houston in the Laremy Tunsil deal, the Commanders land the top tight end in this year’s class. They did enough in free agency to plug some of their biggest holes on defense, which should allow them to invest their early picks on the other side of the ball. Jayden Daniels needs more weapons to work with across the board, and Sadiq would give him a mismatch player who can attack defenses downfield and after the catch.
Round 3: Mike Washington Jr, RB, Arkansas
NFL Mocks (Basile-vaughan)
Commanders receive #11(Makai Lemon, WR, USC), #75, 2027 4th-round pick
Dolphins select Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami at #7
The Commanders can trade back here and land one of the top wide receiver prospects in USC’s Makai Lemon. As a top need, Washington gets their No. 2 receiver to pair with Terry McLaurin. In Lemon, they get an elite route runner with a tenacity to make the big play. With McLaurin approaching the end of his contract, it is most ideal to get a player who can take over as the top option once the veteran is no longer wearing the Commanders’ uniform.
Fantasy Points (Whitefield)
Commanders receive #16(Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana), #44, 2027 2nd-round pick
Jets select Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State at #7
Washington doesn’t currently have a 2nd-round pick in this draft, so adding one via a slide back like this makes a ton of sense. They have been linked to Cooper Jr. (and other WRs), but adding him at #16 is way more palatable than at #7. Cooper is a RAC savant and adds some verticality from the slot. He would be a nice compliment to Terry McLaurin.
Pro Football Network (Swaim)
Commanders receive #21(Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana), #53, #99, #135, #216
Steelers receiver #7(Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State), #223
Needing a wide receiver, Washington could easily stick and pick Carnell Tate at No. 7. However, it’s pretty hard to argue with this result when they still get Omar Cooper Jr. in addition to No. 56 and No. 99 to come.
Cooper Jr. might be a better fit alongside Terry McLaurin, too. He had an 83.3% slot rate at Indiana and profiles to play that role with physicality, contact balance, and tremendous footwork in the pros. In addition to producing the catch of the year in college football, he’s a willing and tenacious blocker, as well.
Round 3: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
The reason Washington might look to move back is to add pieces across the roster, and running back is a definite need. Their nightmare committee brought instability to a rushing attack that also lost Jayden Daniels’ legs. Jadarian Price flashed elite ability to hit home runs as a rusher in college, and he’ll contribute immediately in the return game, too.
Round 3: Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee
Joshua Josephs is a unique EDGE rusher. There just aren’t many who play as upright and lack bend as him with any sort of effectiveness, but he plays so long that it’s almost like he’s able to create a downward trajectory to drive, and his short-area change of direction is fast.
He’s got great backside pursuit skills with that length, too. He’s best in a four-man front like Dan Quinn’s.
Round 3: Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
You can see the monumental impact a trade would mean for the Commanders as they netted two extra picks in the top 100. Washington had two of its three safeties outside the top 65 in PFSN’s Safety Impact (SAFi) scores, so Jalon Kilgore adds some thump and talent in a box role at No. 99. I actually think Kilgore’s recovery and ball skills are incredibly underrated because most of his work came near the line of scrimmage.
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