The 2026 NFL Draft is still two months away, but we're already firmly in peak mock season. And for the Washington Commanders, there is no shortage of possibilities.
After going 5-12 in 2025, Washington possesses the No. 7 overall pick. The team owns six selections in total, and only two in the first four rounds after giving up its second- and fourth-rounders in the trade for left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
That makes the Commanders' third-rounder — No. 71 overall — absolutely crucial for Adam Peters to hit on.
At that point, it's anyone's guess who'll be available. You simply take the best prospect at the position you need the most. One such option projected to Washington in a recent mock could end up being a major steal.
Commanders projected to land Caleb Downs and Keyron Crawford in new FanSided mock draft
Cody Williams of FanSided published a full three-round mock draft, with projections for all of Day 1 and Day 2. That includes two Commanders' picks, and the first one is predicted to be Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
Downs would be a no-brainer if he's available, given his tantalizing upside and Washington's dire need at safety. He has been compared to prolific NFL stars such as Derwin James and Kyle Hamilton, and his presence could transform the Commanders' defense.
However, that would still leave Washington with a serious hole at edge rusher, depending on what happens in free agency. That's where Williams' next projected pick comes in: Auburn defensive end Keyron Crawford.
Crawford racked up five sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss in 2025. The edge defender has been praised in scouting reports for his strong athletic measurables. He can also line up at outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, which new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones is expected to use.
There are concerns. Crawford's weakness is that he is somewhat of a project as a pass-rusher, lacking counters when he loses his first move. But there is nothing unfixable about his game; all of his issues can be coached out of him in the right situation.
Crawford has been on the rise in recent mocks compared to where he was expected to be taken months ago, which is always promising. He is likely to go anywhere between Rounds 3 and 5, potentially higher if he can have a strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The third-team All-SEC selection would fill a major need for Washington and seems to be a strong fit in Jones' system. The Commanders will have all options on the table in the third round, but Crawford has to be someone on their radar.