The Super Bowl participants have now been confirmed. But for teams like the Washington Commanders, attention has been elsewhere for some time.
This is all about planning for the future. The Commanders fell way short of expectations last time around, and the same cannot happen again in 2026. Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters built up enough confidence from their first year together to avoid any pressure about their job statuses. Even so, fans and analysts are watching their moves closer than ever this offseason.
Washington has plenty of cash to spend in free agency with countless roster holes to fill. Peters also boasts six selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, but only two of those are in the first four rounds.
Evaluation season is in full swing. Scouts and other front-office personnel were closely watching events unfold at the East-West Shrine Bowl. This week, it's the Panini Senior Bowl, one of the most prominent dates on the assessment calendar.
Some star-studded prospects will attend the festivities in Mobile, Alabama, and the Commanders will send a strong team to further examine what they could bring to the franchise. It'll be interesting to see which direction Peters takes, but the heat is on to make the correct choices.
Using the Pro Football and Sports Network simulator, we took a look at how the Commanders may approach things in our pre-Senior Bowl mock draft.
Commanders' 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft before Senior Bowl week
Commanders draft Caleb Downs
- Safety | Ohio State Buckeyes
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 7
Respected experts have already begun to narrow down the Washington Commanders' first-round pick to three or four prospects.
Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. enhanced his stock considerably throughout the college football playoffs. Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey took last season by storm and could be the best pure pass-rusher in this class. Both would be outstanding additions to the club, but both might also be gone by the time Adam Peters goes on the clock.
That would leave the Commanders with a tough choice. Peters may look to trade down. He could go against the grain with Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. He could also ignore positional value and select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, which is the preference here.
Downs is not your average safety. He's a genuine game-wrecker in all phases. He may be the best overall prospect in this class, and the Commanders are in desperate need of help on the back end after some rash gambles from Peters in recent years haven't paid off.
Much will depend on how Peters approaches free agency. But if he's intent on taking the best prospect available, Downs is precisely that if he's still around at No. 7.
Commanders draft Omar Cooper Jr.
- Wide Receiver | Indiana Hoosiers
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 69
The Washington Commanders have some questions to answer in their wide receiver room. Injuries decimated the unit in 2025. Only Terry McLaurin, Luke McCaffrey, and Jaylin Lane are under contract next season. Not everyone will get a reprieve, so general manager Adam Peters must keep strengthening the supporting cast around quarterback Jayden Daniels as the signal-caller enters a crucial Year 3 of his professional career.
Deebo Samuel Sr. and Treylon Burks are the likeliest candidates to get extensions, but that's not guaranteed. This bears more significance in the South Carolina product's case, especially considering the money he's probably going to want on his next deal.
If Samuel departs, the Commanders need to find another explosive wideout with the skills needed to create yards after the catch. If Omar Cooper Jr. is still on the board when Washington goes on the clock in Round No. 3, Peters must seriously consider the possibility ot bringing him on board.
Cooper was an absolute revelation during Indiana's memorable run to the college football national championship this season. His performance in the final against Miami proved his readiness for the big moment. He's got the speed needed to stretch the field when required, and if he can rid himself of some concentration lapses on occasion, this could be a steal here.
Commanders draft Gabe Jacas
- Edge Rusher | Illinois Fighting Illini
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 141
Adam Peters has stated the need to get more explosive edge rushers into the building. Fans were critical of the front-office leader for not doing enough to address this critical area of the field last time around, and their fears were realized. This is the time to put things right.
There are many unknowns on the defensive side right now. The Commanders are still looking for a new coordinator to replace Joe Whitt Jr., so their personnel decisions will align with the scheme he wants to run when hired. Taking a pass-rusher much earlier than this will be considered, but Washington also has the spare financial resources to make a couple of splashes in free agency if the right opportunities present themselves.
Either way, adding a prospect to join the rotation and develop into a starter would be desirable if the Commanders strengthen via the free-agent route. Peters and his staff would be wise to keep a close eye on Gabe Jacas' progress at the Senior Bowl, and he has the physical profile that head coach Dan Quinn has had plenty of success with.
Jacas is explosive, boasting the quick-twitch traits to blow past offensive linemen to cause havoc in the backfield. He's not the biggest, but his relentless energy and versatility are elements that Quinn can put to good use.
Commanders draft Marcus Allen
- Cornerback | North Carolina Tar Heels
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 181
The Washington Commanders need to spend money on another veteran cornerback after their trade for Marshon Lattimore backfired horribly. The four-time Pro Bowler couldn't meet lofty expectations, with injuries and poor consistency playing leading roles in his downfall. He'll likely be released this offseason, saving the team $18.5 million in salary cap space.
Only Mike Sainristil and Trey Amos are guaranteed to return in 2026. Again, much will depend on the scheme the new defensive coordinator plans to run, but even with a high-profile free-agent addition, acquiring another corner from the college ranks with decent upside should be considered.
Marcus Allen has the size and scope to be a key rotational piece who could gradually emerge into a starting-caliber option. He creates leverage in press coverage situations and can mirror receivers well at all three levels of the field. Adding some extra muscle mass to his frame would help. Still, he represents significant value at this stage of the process.
Commanders draft Kaleb Elarms-Orr
- Linebacker | TCU Horned Frogs
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 205
The Commanders are probably going to go their separate ways with Bobby Wagner this offseason. While the future Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker played a significant role over the last two seasons, the cracks are now beginning to show. If he decides to play for one more season, that will likely be on a team with legitimate chances to contend in 2026.
Frankie Luvu needs to move into an off-ball linebacker role again after getting lost in the shuffle as an edge rusher when injuries struck. The Commanders have high hopes for Jordan Magee, and the flashes he displayed when given defensive responsibilities this season offer reasons for optimism.
Still, there is no harm in fortifying depth. Kaleb Elarms-Orr saw his stock soar during his final campaign at TCU, gaining 130 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and four sacks. His relentless work ethic, physicality, and football IQ could intrigue the Commanders.
Commanders draft Anez Cooper
- Offensive Line | Miami Hurricanes
- Round No. 7 | Pick No. 217
The Commanders' offensive line was among the team's brightest spots in 2025. However, no team should ever settle, and general manager Adam Peters may look to bolster depth with a late-round pick who has the physical tools to emerge as a dependable asset.
If Chris Paul is extended, all starting five offensive linemen will return for 2026. Andrew Wylie, George Fant, and Trent Scott are all free agents. Nick Allegretti is a potential salary-cap cut candidate, so more is undoubtedly required.
Anez Cooper is an interior force standing 6-foot-6 and weighing around 350 pounds. He's a dominant force against the run. He can also hold his own in pass protection, provided he isn't exposed in space.
Nobody should be expecting miracles from Cooper right away. But with a little extra technical polish, the Miami prospect has the chance to carve out a successful career for himself.