The Washington Commanders are set to undergo another roster revamp. General manager Adam Peters has cash to spend, and several respected insiders around the league are expecting fireworks during his third recruitment period at the helm.
Washington has $74.55 million in projected cap space. That could surge to more than $100 million once extensions, releases, and restructures are confirmed. Being anything but aggressive is not an option, which could set the table for a little extra freedom during the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Commanders only have six selections — two of which are in the first four rounds. Peters cannot proceed with a critical need. That's only going to cloud his judgment, so putting the correct pieces in place during free agency is imperative.
If Peters can achieve this objective, which couldn't be entirely dismissed given the available resources, that changes the draft landscape considerably. It would allow the Commanders to select the best available prospects regardless of need. That is even more significant with their No. 7 pick, which the club has to get right.
Using the Pro Football and Sports Network simulator, we took a look at how the Commanders may approach their picks after a strong free agency in our latest seven-round mock draft.
And it starts with a big surprise.
Commanders' 7-round 2026 mock draft kicks off with a stunning curveball
Commanders draft Jeremiyah Love
- Running Back | Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 7
John Harbaugh said something very interesting recently. The New York Giants' head coach said their No. 5 selection is not a need pick; it's a best-player pick. You take the guy at the top of your board and worry about the rest later. That is a mindset general manager Adam Peters should have for the Washington Commanders.
In this scenario, Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain Jr., David Bailey, and Caleb Downs are all off the board. That might be a worst-case scenario for the Commanders, but it's entirely feasible. Peters will be ready for anything, and if Washington can maximize its resources in free agency, someone like Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love enters the equation.
The Commanders don't have the luxury to draft a running back with their first-round pick right now. A lot can and will change by the time Washington goes on the clock, and if the right pieces are secured from the veteran pool, Love would be an absolute game-changer alongside quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Love is arguably the most gifted prospect in this year's class. He's consistent, explosive, and capable of impacting proceedings in every phase. He's one of the very few players in this class who could flip any game on its head. Placing him next to Daniels in Washington's backfield is a mouth-watering proposition.