The Washington Commanders are in the midst of significant changes. And make no mistake; fans are expecting a whole lot more before on-field preparations for the 2026 campaign begin.
Head coach Dan Quinn has already parted ways with both coordinators. Kliff Kingsbury was replaced with David Blough, an in-house promotion to prevent him from joining another franchise. The Commanders are expected to look outside for an upgrade on Joe Whitt Jr., but general manager Adam Peters must also shoulder some responsibility here.
The general manager pushed his chips into the middle, making bold trades and relying on aging veterans who would not be part of the long-term future. That blew up in his face, and Peters has to focus on getting younger during his third recruitment period at the helm.
That might be difficult. The Commanders only have six selections in the 2026 NFL Draft right now. Peters hasn't ruled out trading down for more assets if the right opportunity arises.
It's not a quarterback-rich draft, which makes it more complex to extract maximum value for the No. 7 pick. However, if a team becomes particularly enamored with a prospect still available when Washington goes on the clock, Peters might be a willing listener to offers.
Using the Pro Football and Sports Network simulator, we took a swing at how the Commanders might approach their draft selections in our seven-round end-of-season mock.
Commanders' 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft begins with a trade down
Commanders draft Sonny Styles
- Linebacker | Ohio State Buckeyes
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 15
In this scenario, the Washington Commanders strike a trade-down deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, giving them two more picks this year and a second-rounder in 2027. That gives Adam Peters more flexibility and picks for a team in desperate need of youthful exuberance.
Most fans believe the Commanders' most pressing objective should be adding explosiveness to the defense in the draft. With veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner set to either retire or leave the franchise this offseason, finding an adequate replacement is crucial.
Much will depend on what the new defensive coordinator wants for his scheme, but the Commanders should take a long look at Sonny Styles if they navigate a trade down.
The Ohio State prospect is a genuine sideline-to-sideline force capable of wreaking havoc in all phases. Putting him next to Frankie Luvu, who must go back to an off-ball linebacker role next season, would help solidify the second level in 2026 and beyond.
Peters may decide to stand pat if someone like Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain Jr., or Caleb Downs is available, but Styles has the tools needed to flourish immediately.