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.
Commanders draft Akheem Mesidor
- Edge Rusher | Miami Hurricanes
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 46
It's no secret that the Washington Commanders are crying out for better edge-rushing options this offseason. Dorance Armstrong Jr. was the only one who offered any legitimate hope for the future, and he finished the season on injured reserve. The rest are either rotational pieces or aging veterans who won't be back in 2026. Adam Peters must give this pivotal area of the field the attention it deserves this time around.
Several new options would be wise. The Commanders have the money to find one in free agency. Adding via the draft is also something to consider, and Akheem Mesidor could be a high-value choice at this stage of the process.
Rueben Bain Jr. gets all the hype on the Miami Hurricanes' defensive front, but Mesidor's stock is soaring. He's played a leading role in their surge to the college football national championship game, displaying a relentless motor and outstanding burst to bend around the edge flawlessly.
The only knock is that Mesidor will be 25 in April. That might put some teams off, but the Commanders should strongly consider the possibility.
Commanders draft Amare Ferrell
- Safety | Indiana Hoosiers
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 71
The Commanders need a complete rethink of the safety position after another underwhelming campaign from the group. In hindsight, letting Jeremy Chinn leave for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency was a grave error in judgment, so what comes next in the defensive backfield cannot be overstated.
Quan Martin's breakout campaign went disastrously. Will Harris was solid enough, but injuries and inconsistencies mean the jury is still out. Jeremy Reaves, Tyler Owens, and Percy Butler look like rotational pieces rather than starters right now.
If the Commanders decide more is needed, which seems almost guaranteed, someone like Amare Ferrell could enter the equation in the third round. He's been a driving force in the Indiana Hoosiers becoming the dominant force in college football this year, displaying the traits that make him a total package capable of influencing proceedings in every phase.
With eight interceptions in two seasons, Ferrell knows what he's doing in coverage. He's also got the size and scope that head coach Dan Quinn looks for in his defensive backs, and the experience he's accumulated this year and last should help him make a smooth transition to the professional ranks.
Commanders draft Treydan Stukes
- Cornerback | Arizona Wildcats
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 147
The Washington Commanders' cornerback room was expected to be a significant strength in 2025. Unfortunately, it became a weak link, with injuries and poor performance levels causing their demise almost from the outset.
Trading for Marshon Lattimore was a risk worth taking at the time, but it hasn't panned out. The four-time Pro Bowler was a prime candidate for release even before his arrest. It seems like a done deal now with $18.5 million in savings and no dead cap money attached.
Second-round rookie Trey Amos showed promise. Mike Sainristil remains a feast-or-famine cornerback whose strongest position is unclear. One couldn't say with any confidence that the others will be back, so addressing this position group in free agency and the draft is crucial.
If someone like Treydan Stukes is still around at this stage of the draft, it's something to ponder. He's a long cornerback who thrives in press coverage. The Arizona product is a fluid mover, able to mirror receivers effectively downfield and make contested catches difficult. Once he adds a little extra muscle mass to his frame, he could be a potential rough diamond for whoever drafts him.
Commanders draft Deion Burks
- Wide Receiver | Oklahoma Sooners
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 155
With David Blough replacing offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who shockingly left the franchise after a disagreement with head coach Dan Quinn over how best to take the offense forward, changes to the playing personnel seem almost guaranteed. This all starts with providing quarterback Jayden Daniels with the weapons needed to thrive moving forward.
Obviously, it's a fluid situation. Nobody knows the scheme Blough plans to run. Nobody knows which players are going to be acquired in free agency. But it would be surprising if the Commanders didn't add another explosive receiver at some stage during the draft.
Someone like Deion Burks comes with more upside than most at this stage of the process. He's not the biggest or most physically imposing, but he gets open quickly and can be a supreme threat after the catch if schemed around correctly.
The Oklahoma prospect has outstanding on-field vision with the explosiveness needed to exploit gaps. Burks is also a solid scheme navigator, exploiting soft zones frequently to make things easier for his quarterback.
If veteran All-Pro receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. leaves in free agency, which seems possible, the Commanders will need someone like Burks to possibly fill the void.
Commanders draft Riley Mahlman
- Offensive Tackle | Wisconsin Badgers
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 184
The Washington Commanders have a bookend tackle tandem in five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil and No. 29 pick Josh Conerly Jr. This is something that should benefit the offense considerably moving forward, but there are questions behind the starting duo.
Andrew Wylie is a dependable backup, but he might be looking for a chance to start elsewhere in free agency. George Fant and Trent Scott are also out of contract and unlikely to return. That makes finding another developmental project in the draft worth considering once other holes have been filled.
Riley Mahlman ticks those boxes. He's a physical force at 6-foot-7 and 308 pounds with extensive college experience at Wisconsin. His mobility is impressive for a man his size, but improving his run blocking is crucial if he wants to become a starter one day.
Even so, Mahlman has the athletic tools to provide intrigue.
Commanders draft Jack Endries
- Tight End | Texas Longhorns
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 203
The Commanders could use another tight end to help them along the way. Zach Ertz has manned the No. 1 spot over the last two years, but his torn ACL late in the season means his prolific spell in Washington is likely over.
John Bates is an elite blocker, but his limitations in the passing game are obvious. Ben Sinnott remains an unknown quantity, and Colson Yankoff will be fighting for his roster spot once again in 2026. More is needed, especially with Jayden Daniels losing his primary release valve in Ertz.
There is a lot to like about Jack Endries' chances of being an under-the-radar prospect with upside. He's a smooth route runner with dependable hands who became more influential as the season went on. He's opted to enter the draft rather than go back to college, and he's someone the Commanders should investigate further.
Commanders draft Rayshaun Benny
- Defensive Line | Michigan Wolverines
- Round No. 7 | Pick No. 221
There are plenty of unknowns on the Commanders' defensive line interior entering the 2026 offseason. And the decisions Adam Peters makes will have big-time ramifications attached.
Daron Payne's future is in doubt, and Javon Kinlaw's big-money move to Washington hasn't brought any legitimate optimism as yet. Johnny Newon looks like a pass-rush specialist rather than a three-down force, which isn't what those in power had in mind when they spent a second-round pick on the player in 2024.
Eddie Goldman did enough for another short-term deal, but that shouldn't stop the Commanders from finding another developmental option with rotational upside later in the draft. Rayshaun Benny is a five-year player at Michigan who won a national championship under Jim Harbaugh. He's got limitations from a pass-rushing standpoint, but the size, core strength, and violent hands should ensure he hears his name called at some stage.