Commanders draft R Mason Thomas
- Edge Rusher | Oklahoma Sooners
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 71
Even if the Washington Commanders spend money on the edge-rushing room, as most anticipate in free agency, general manager Adam Peters also needs to find someone from the college ranks who can hit the ground running. That might come in the first round, but with Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain Jr., and David Bailey unavailable at No. 7 in this scenario, settling for a third-round pick means they won't be reaching.
Even though he might be a little undersized for a hand-in-the-dirt edge force, R Mason Thomas has the position versatility and dynamism that head coach Dan Quinn has had success with previously. With 25.5 tackles for loss and 17 sacks throughout his four years at Oklahoma, he comes into the pros with production and experience. And he may only be scratching the surface of what he's capable of.
If utilized correctly, Thomas could be a disruptive force on Washington's pass-rushing rotation.
Commanders draft Andre Fuller
- Cornerback | Toledo Rockets
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 157
Toledo has produced several NFL-caliber cornerbacks in recent years. While Andre Fuller might not have the hype of someone like former Rockets defensive back Quinyon Mitchell, he's got the athletic profile that could slot into Daronte Jones' schematic concepts effortlessly.
The Commanders have some serious questions to answer in their cornerback room. Marshon Lattimore will be released with $18.5 million in savings attached. Jonathan Jones, Antonio Hamilton Sr., and Noah Igbinoghene are free agents and may not come back. That leaves Washington with just Mike Sainristil and Trey Amos as the only guarantees to be back in 2026.
Adding to the unit in free agency is almost guaranteed. That shouldn't prevent the Commanders from finding a draft prospect with high upside, which Fuller could be if he refines his ability to track the football downfield.
Fuller is a capable boundary presence who can also move inside. He's a solid tackler and anticipates things well, as evidenced by his 11 pass breakups in 2025.
Commanders draft Lewis Bond
- Wide Receiver | Boston College Eagles
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 186
Anyone who's read my mock drafts during this cycle has seen Lewis Bond's name appear frequently. The Commanders need to revamp their wide receiver room with a couple of savvy veterans with proven production, and a young, exciting draft prospect with the potential to be impactful immediately.
If Adam Peters focuses on other needs earlier in the draft, someone like Bond makes a great deal of sense a little further down the pecking order. He has the physical profile to take short completions and gain hard yards after the catch. If Deebo Samuel Sr. departs for a new challenge in free agency, this could be a decent-enough replacement with a smooth transition to the pros.
Bond isn't the most athletic, but he's thickly built and looks tailor-made for slot responsibilities at the next level. If he's still available at this juncture, the Commanders could do a lot worse.