Adam Peters faces some important upcoming decisions during the 2026 NFL Draft. The Washington Commanders need to hit on their first-rounder, but who'll be available when they get to choose remains a mystery.
And the general manager expects that to be the case right up until the big night.
This is one of the more unpredictable drafts in recent memory. There is only one sure thing — Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is going to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1 overall. After that, all bets are off, and Peters doesn't believe anything he hears with the smoke-and-mirrors season in full swing.
Commanders are playing a waiting game before NFL Draft chaos begins
During his pre-draft media availability, Peters reiterated that it's difficult to get a good feel for what might unfold ahead of Washington. It's an ever-changing landscape, where new information is coming to light by the day. And for the front-office leader, he's not exactly buying into the rumors and hearsay.
"It's hard to understand or figure out where everything's gonna go. You hear something new every day, and nobody's telling the truth."
This echoed Peters' sentiment at the annual league meeting. He didn't have much of an idea then, and that remains the case. That doesn't mean he won't have plans in place for every scenario that may unfold.
The Commanders have interviewed hundreds of prospects. They brought in their pre-draft visits, and Peters has all the required knowledge to strategize effectively. Playing the board quickly is key, and his phone will never be closed for business when it comes to potential trades.
Only one quarterback is projected to be taken in the first round, unless someone becomes enamored enough with Alabama prospect Ty Simpson. That's thrown everything off, but there should be a decent selection of prospects for Peters to take. And when that time comes, he'll have all the information needed.
This may become clearer in the coming days; they may not. The landscape shifted again when the New York Giants traded Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence II to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 10 selection. More moves may be coming, so Peters will keep a close eye on developments to see how they may affect Washington's process.
It's a fascinating time. The Commanders need to find a legitimate difference-maker at No. 7. They are a strong candidate to bounce back next season, but there is a lot of hard work left. Peters and others around the league are firmly in the dark about what will unfold, but that's what makes it so exciting.
And fortunately, there isn't much longer to wait.
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