Adam Peters made the aggressive moves needed to potentially keep the Washington Commanders in the Super Bowl hunt during the offseason. Unfortunately, things have not gone as anyone associated with the franchise expected.
It's been one disaster after another for the Commanders at the midseason point. Injuries have decimated the roster. Young players expected to progress haven't lived up to their billing. The NFL's oldest roster looks exactly that — a massive problem holding the team back right now.
Peters opted to stand pat at the 2025 trade deadline. Fans were anticipating a couple of outgoings, given the Commanders' slow start this season. But either no suitable interest arrived, or the offers weren't enough for the front-office leader to remove certain players from the equation.
The Commanders will move forward with what they have over the second half of 2025. Even so, it's clear that Peters has an awful lot of hard work ahead when the next offseason arrives to get this ambitious project back on track.
Using the Pro Football Network simulator, we took an early look at how Peters might approach his draft picks in a special seven-round midseason mock.
Commanders 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft at the midseason point
Commanders draft Arvell Reese
- Linebacker | Ohio State Buckeyes
- Round No. 1 | No. 8 overall
The Washington Commanders only have six selections at their disposal next spring. They have two picks in the first four rounds, so trading down or finding another way to acquire selections is something Adam Peters needs to consider at some stage.
Washington's lackluster form has them sitting at No. 8 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft as things stand. Not exactly where Petters envisaged this squad would be, but it gives him more options if the same trend continues.
Finding defensive help should be at the top of his priorities. The Commanders are desperate for an injection of explosiveness, physicality, and dynamism. That's where Arvell Reese comes in.
Reese has taken college football by storm this season. His first real involvement with the Ohio State Buckeyes resulted in a national championship last season. He's raised his influence exponentially in 2025, and his draft stock is soaring along the way.
The prospect is a sideline-to-sideline presence against the run, getting to the ball carrier quickly and violently. He's got the size to impact proceedings as a pass-rusher, and his movements are fluid enough to become an asset in coverage. If Bobby Wagner leaves the Commanders this offseason as expected, Reese represents a ready-made replacement.
Commanders draft Jermaine Mathews Jr.
- Cornerback | Ohio State Buckeyes
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 72
The Washington Commanders have invested a lot in their cornerback room since Adam Peters took charge. However, more is needed if this defense wants to make the required improvements next season and beyond.
Trey Amos, this year's second-round pick, looks the part. Mike Sainristil has regressed, but he's not a lost cause just yet. That's not the case with Marshon Lattimore, who struggled this season before tearing his ACL against the Seattle Seahawks, ruling him out for the rest of 2025.
If Lattimore is released as expected, the Commanders need to address their cornerback unit urgently. Jonathan Jones and Noah Igbinoghene are both out of contract, so finding a capable veteran in free agency and another hot commodity in the draft seems almost guaranteed.
Although Jermaine Mathews Jr. might not have the size and physical scope that Dan Quinn typically looks for in his defensive backs, the Ohio State prospect is smooth in coverage and versatile enough to play across the line of scrimmage.
He's a willing tackler who mirrors receivers superbly. Adding some more strength once he gets to the pros would be wise, but there is a lot to like about Mathews' ability to make a smooth transition to the NFL.
Commanders draft Gabe Jacas
- Edge Rusher | Illinois Fighting Illi
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 148
Fans were concerned that Adam Peters didn't do enough to strengthen the team's edge rushing options this season. The Commanders were relying on aging veterans to produce the goods and to avoid injuries. Unfortunately, health problems have exposed the unit's lack of legitimate quality.
Dorance Armstrong Jr. and Deatrich Wise Jr., the starting defensive end tandem, are both done for the campaign. Drake Jackson was signed and immediately stashed on injured reserve. That's left the Commanders with Jacob Martin, Von Miller, and Preston Smith. Not exactly a prolific group, which is why Frankie Luvu has been spending more time on the edge in recent weeks.
Peters must give this critical area of the field the attention it deserves when the 2026 offseason commences. Adding in free agency seems realistic. This is also a decent-looking draft class to pick up a capable prospect or two, even though picks are at a premium.
Gabe Jacas has the production and physical profile that Dan Quinn has done well with in the past. He's not the biggest, but his relentless motor and explosiveness more than make up for it. And the Commanders could scheme him across the line of scrimmage to create mismatches in this scenario.
Commanders draft Eric McAlister
- Wide Receiver | TCU Horned Frogs
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 187
Adding to the wide receiver group should also be considered at some stage during the draft. The Washington Commanders have several questions to answer, with some prominent veterans out of contract and others representing unknown quantities until further notice.
Terry McLaurin, Luke McCaffrey, and Jaylin Lane are the only three on Washington's active roster under contract for next season. Deebo Samuel Sr. could be extended if the money works, and Treylon Burks is another who could get another year if he shows enough over the second half of 2025.
Either way, the Commanders need another young weapon. Eric McAlister has the size and scope to be molded into something more. He's a matchup nightmare once early momentum is generated, and the wideout is also emerging as a red-zone threat to enhance his influence further.
This represents a ton of value here, but McAlister could go much higher.
Commanders draft Wydett Williams Jr.
- Safety | Ole Miss Rebels
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 200
The Commanders' safety room remains an enigma. There is no telling what Washington's long-term future holds on the backend, with young players not getting the required time on the field and veterans underperforming.
Quan Martin's breakout campaign hasn't come close to being achieved. Jeremy Reaves is solid enough, but Will Harris' injury has impacted the stability. Tyler Owens and Percy Butler have been utilized more on special teams, despite their athletic attributes warranting additional involvement in the rotation.
Wydett Williams Jr. is an intriguing prospect. The physical, hard-hitting defensive back transferred to Ole Miss this offseason, and he's coped exceptionally well with the rigors of SEC competition. He remains a work in progress, but the trajectory is only pointing up.
Williams could stay in school to bolster his chances of going higher. But if he declares, the Commanders could do a lot worse at this stage of the draft process.
Commanders draft Fernando Carmona Jr.
- Offensive line | Arkansas Razorbacks
- Round No. 7 | Pick No. 222
The Commanders' offensive line could use a slight makeover during the 2026 offseason. This has greater significance on the interior, which has put a strain on the team's consistency and depth in front of either Jayden Daniels or Marcus Mariota.
Sam Cosmi and Tyler Biadasz remain rooted in their respective spots. Things are less clear at the left guard spot, although Chris Paul is doing enough for another extension. Regardless, the Commanders need to fortify their depth to ensure they can navigate injury problems when they inevitably arise.
Finding a development piece later in the draft is an option to consider. Fernando Carmona Jr. ticks those boxes, with his size, power, and brute force representing a solid foundation from which to build.
Carmona needs to work on the technical aspect of his game. His footwork can be his undoing at times, so expecting miracles right away would be unrealistic. However, if the Commanders can bring him along gradually in this scenario, they might have another steal on their hands.