Adam Schefter is very clued into what's going on or being discussed around the league. And even with the 2026 NFL Draft offering so many unknowns at the top end, his opinions don't just come out of thin air.
Schefter had been a big supporter of the Washington Commanders being the perfect landing spot for Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. The ESPN insider seems less certain on that notion now, hinting that No. 4 to the Tennessee Titans might be his floor.
The Commanders will be watching developments closely. Nothing is set in stone after Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza goes No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders. General manager Adam Peters will be ready for anything, but Schefter highlighted three prospects who may be the final shortlist for Washington if the board falls as he expects.
Adam Schefter names three prospects could could be on the Commanders' shortlist at No. 7
The Ohio State pair of wide receiver Carnell Tate and safety Caleb Downs were two. LSU's shutdown cornerback, Mansoor Delane, was the other.
Obviously, there is just no telling for sure. Downs and Tate could be gone by the time Washington goes on the clock. Delane is the only one almost guaranteed to be around. There is growing momentum around this being the choice, even though the Commanders have spent high-end draft capital on corners for three straight years.
Schefter added that the Commanders may find it tough to pass on Downs if he's available. There are murmurings around the do-it-all defensive back going to the New York Giants, which could open a lane to draft linebacker Sonny Styles. The moving parts are plentiful, so this is all about staying calm in the chaos.
The Commanders will have a list. One or two will be their preferred targets, but five or six will be prospects Peters is comfortable with. Trading down is another option, though it would need to be a decent offer to tempt Washington.
Very few prospects in this class have Pro Bowl-caliber ceilings. Moving off one just for another pick or two doesn't seem smart with the stakes so high.
This is all about balance, too.
Peters focused heavily on defense in free agency, but the supporting cast around quarterback Jayden Daniels is subpar. That must be addressed at some stage. Even so, the front-office leader always wants to take the best prospects available and worry about the rest later on.
Expect that trend to continue. But if Schefter is right about Tate, Downs, and Delane being the likeliest candidates, all would help the Commanders enormously.
And in truth, there is no real wrong answer.
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