The Washington Commanders entered the 2026 NFL Draft in a precarious situation. General manager Adam Peters only had two picks in the first four rounds and six in total. The margin for error was gone, but the haul was impressive.
Peters used his selections wisely. He focused on value, athleticism, and versatility. He also went through with his intent to take the best prospects available, which is always the best way to build a competitive roster.
Experts have been complimentary of the Commanders' picks. Some have higher expectations than others, but Peters improved the roster. Now, the onus is on those chosen to make their presences felt as Washington looks to bounce back after a down year in 2025.
The Commanders still have a couple of holes to fill. There is plenty of salary-cap space to acquire another capable veteran or two from the free-agent pool, depending on what opportunities present themselves. But considering the limited resources at Peters' disposal, he came out of the draft in good shape.
There will be obvious ripple effects. With this in mind, here are four winners and three losers from the Commanders' impressive exploits during the draft.
Winners and losers from the Commanders' superb 2026 NFL Draft haul
Winner No. 1
Daronte Jones - Commanders DC
The Washington Commanders were blown away by Daronte Jones' plans for the defense. They have worked tirelessly to give the defensive coordinator everything he needs to put his grand plan into action. There are still a couple of concerns, but two notable additions during the 2026 NFL Draft should bring this unit much closer.
Linebacker Sonny Styles was the choice at No. 7, which became a no-brainer after how the board fell. He's got three-level capabilities, elite football intelligence, and supreme versatility. This is the perfect linchpin for the middle of Jones' defense, which will be aggressive and interchangeable.
Jones also has a new edge rusher to go along with the improvements already made in free agency.
Joshua Josephs might not have the size and length typically associated with productive pass-rushers in the pros, but he could be a major rotational force if utilized correctly. And given how creative the blitz packages are expected to be in Jones' 3-4 base front, this could be the best possible landing spot for the Tennessee product.
The Commanders' defense has been porous for years. Now, there is more dynamism, hunger, and speed. That's precisely what Jones was looking for, so molding this group into a cohesive unit should be straightforward.
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