The Washington Commanders have four games left to navigate this season. However, with the team on an eight-game losing run at 3-10, fans have already turned their focus on what comes next.
Nobody expected the Commanders to be struggling so much. Head coach Dan Quinn's squad was among the primary Super Bowl favorites this season. Injuries haven't helped, but it's clear this exciting project isn't as far along as fans thought after their memorable run to the NFC Championship game.
General manager Adam Peters has a significant amount of hard work ahead when the 2026 offseason arrives. The Commanders could have over $100 million in available salary-cap space, but they also have the most pending free agents of any club. There is also the small matter of six draft picks — two of which are in the first four rounds.
The Commanders have a top-five pick as things stand. That could improve or worsen, depending on how they fare over the next month. Either way, it'll give Peters several options, including the prospect of trading down for additional assets if one of the top quarterbacks in a weak-looking class is still there for the taking.
Using the Pro Football Network simulator, we looked at this scenario and what it might yield in our new Commanders' seven-round mock draft.
Commanders' 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft triggers dream opening twist
Commanders draft Sonny Styles
- Linebacker | Ohio State Buckeyes
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 20
The Commanders landed a dream trade-down scenario with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza still on the board. Whether he'll make it that far down the pecking order remains to be seen, but this would provide general manager Adam Peters with enough leverage to get a king's ransom back in return.
The Pittsburgh Steelers duly obliged, and the Commanders have more to work with this year and next. Given the problems Washington faces, more assets will only help its cause.
This is an exceptional linebacker class. Sonny Styles might be the most underrated of them all. He's flying under the radar due to Arvell Reese's exceptional surge, but he's a first-round lock with the potential to have a sensational NFL career barring injury.
Styles is a typical off-ball linebacker with outstanding playmaking traits in all three phases. The Commanders need help at the defensive second level if Bobby Wagner retires after the campaign, and this would be the perfect plug-and-play option.
With more picks to utilize in the later rounds and next year, the Commanders could take the best player available. And Styles represents precisely that at this stage of the first round.
Commanders draft Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
- Edge Rusher | Ohio State Buckeyes
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 51
Fans were highly concerned about the Washington Commanders' lack of legitimate edge rushing options before the campaign. Adam Peters rode the wave with what he had, adding a few aging veterans into the mix. It's been a disaster.
That has to change this offseason. The Commanders have money to spend in free agency, but going down the draft route is another option. One player isn't going to fix all these problems, so fans are expecting several new explosive pass-rushers to give this defense a massive lift.
The more picks Peters accumulates, the better. With the second-round pick acquired via trade in this scenario, a bet on the exceptional upside of Kenyatta Jackson Jr. is well worth considering.
Jackson's production finally started to match his athleticism this season, notching 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss with the Ohio State Buckeyes. He's a well-rounded edge rusher capable of getting into the backfield frequently. His improvements in edge-setting against the run are only going to help his draft stock.
Commanders draft Will Lee III
- Cornerback | Texas A&M Aggies
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 68
Adam Peters has invested heavily in the cornerback position since becoming general manager. Looking at things as they stand right now, the Commanders will need more to secure long-term stability.
Marshon Lattimore is likely done in Washington after tearing his ACL. Mike Sainristil hasn't developed enough. Noah Igbinoghene probably won't be back, and it could go either way with Jonathan Jones. Only second-round rookie Trey Amos demonstrated any consistency this season, which is a massive problem.
Dan Quinn likes his corners to be fast and athletic. Will Lee III is a domineering physical presence. He's a fluid mover for a 6-foot-2 corner, boasting fluid movements and the strength to get receivers off their routes in press coverage. There is also a lot to like about his processing and instincts, which make him a perfect fit for the Commanders' defensive scheme.
Once Lee refines his technique, someone is going to have a magnificent prospect on their hands.
Commanders draft Amare Ferrell
- Safety | Indiana Hoosiers
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 79
The Commanders need a rethink at the safety position this offseason. Will Harris is a dependable veteran who should be around in 2026, the final year of his deal. Aside from that, all bets are off.
Quan Martin's breakout campaign has fallen flat, and one couldn't say with any confidence what the future holds beyond 2025. Jeremy Reaves is all effort but lacks the genuine quality of a playmaker on the backend. Tyler Owens and Percy Butler look like special-teams aces and nothing more.
If the Commanders are looking for a legitimate difference-maker who thrives in all phases, Amare Ferrell could be the answer.
He's been a key cog for two seasons with the Indiana Hoosiers during their outstanding run to a No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. The prospect can impact proceedings in the box and has excellent anticipation skills in coverage, as evidenced by his eight interceptions in 26 games.
Commanders draft C.J. Daniels
- Wide Receiver | Miami Hurricanes
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 147
It wouldn't be shocking to see the Washington Commanders address the wide receiver room much sooner than this. But the dire need to provide youthful energy to the defense must take priority. It's not ideal, but one only has to look at how this season has gone to see why Adam Peters could go down this route.
C.J. Daniels has gone through a turbulent college career. He looked like a star at Liberty but struggled to find his feet at LSU in 2024. A transfer to Miami came with decent but unspectacular production. However, he's got the size and scope to potentially be a factor as a big-bodied target on the boundary.
If Noah Brown leaves in free agency, this could be a solid Day 3 option.
Commanders draft Nick Barrett
- Defensive Tackle | South Carolina Gamecocks
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 184
The Commanders' defensive line interior faces some questions this offseason. Daron Payne's future is clouded, with one year remaining on his deal. Eddie Goldman is out of contract, and second-year pro Johnny Newton hasn't made the required progress to inspire confidence. This could lead Washington to another draft pick a little lower down the order.
Nick Barrett comes with outstanding physical traits. He's got the size to hold his own against the run. The South Carolina prospect is starting to put everything together from a production standpoint, gaining two sacks, six tackles for loss, and 47 tackles for the Gamecocks in 2025.
If Goldman and Payne depart, this could be the rotational run-stuffer they're looking for.
Commanders draft Jack Endries
- Tight End | Texas Longhorns
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 205
Zach Ertz's devastating torn ACL against the Minnesota Vikings all but guarantees he won't be back in 2026. If Ben Sinnott cannot show some signs of life during his upcoming four-game audition before the offseason, general manager Adam Peters won't hesitate to find players who can produce.
Adding a veteran in free agency couldn't be ruled out entirely. He could also take a draft prospect much higher than this, but if he decides to wait a little longer, Jack Endries might have the traits the Commanders are looking for.
Endries might end up going back to Texas with Arch Manning in a more focal role. But his flashes as a pass-catcher represent an intriguing prospect to develop.
Commanders draft Jake Slaughter
- Offensive Line | Florida Gators
- Round No. 7 | Pick No. 219
If the Commanders extend Chris Paul this offseason, their five starting offensive lineman will all be back in 2026. During a campaign where little has gone right for Washington, that continuity cannot be seen as anything other than positive.
That said, no team should ever settle. The Commanders must find sufficient depth to compensate for any potential injuries. And with Tyler Biadasz entering the final year of his deal in 2026, adding a young prospect at the center spot to learn behind the proven veteran wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.
Jake Slaughter isn't a world-beater yet. But he's dependable, consistent, and has athletic traits that can be further developed.