The Washington Commanders have a lot of problems to fix this offseason. Two of those have already been solved, with head coach Dan Quinn hiring two new coordinators after parting ways with Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr.
Quinn took a supreme leap of faith by making David Blough their offensive coordinator. He's got no play-calling experience and was only a position coach for a few weeks. However, the Commanders believe he can provide the modern-day concepts needed to help take quarterback Jayden Daniels' game to new heights.
New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones fits into a similar mold. He's also a first-time play-caller. But unlike Blough, his coaching credentials are vast and revered in equal measure.
Most fans and experts expect the Commanders' defense to be more aggressive and explosive with Jones leading the charge. But for this system to work, a significant overhaul of the roster is required through free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft.
General manager Adam Peters doesn't have much high-end capital in the draft, so maneuvering could be in his plans in pursuit of bolstering the assets at his disposal. Either way, the Commanders have to get younger and more explosive. Anything less is organizational malpractice.
Using the Pro Football and Sports Network simulator, our latest seven-round mock draft focuses on building the defense Jones will need to excel.
Commanders' 7-round mock draft builds a dream defense for Daronte Jones
Commanders draft Sonny Styles
- Linebacker | Ohio State Buckeyes
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 15
A trade down cannot be completely dismissed, and it may be welcome for the Washington Commanders to build through the draft. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were a willing partner in this scenario, giving up their second and third-round picks, together with a third-round pick next year, to move into the No. 7 spot.
That gives Adam Peters more ammunition. It's also not too far down the order. That gives the Commanders a good chance to find a Day 1 difference-maker, and if Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles was still available here, he would be a fantastic addition to the ranks.
With Bobby Wagner likely entering retirement or taking his chances elsewhere, the Commanders can replace him with Styles. He is a do-it-all, three-down presence who thrives against the run, on blitzes, and can also drop back in coverage. That will be key for Daronte Jones if he wants to get things up and running quickly.
Pairing Styles with Frankie Luvu and Jordan Magee gives the Commanders a potentially dynamic linebacker trio.
Commanders draft Lee Hunter
- Defensive Line | Texas Tech Red Raiders
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 56
Another trade swaps two picks with the Jacksonville Jaguars, with the Washington Commanders also getting a 20027 fifth-round selection. That might seem a little drastic, but general manager Adam Peters needs to consolidate this offseason after pushing all his chips into the middle this time last year.
The defensive line could use reinforcements. Much will depend on what sort of front Daron Jones plans to run, with everything from 3-4 to 2-5 bases being speculated by the media. If there is going to be an alignment shift, the Commanders may be looking for a run-stopping force to plug holes and absorb enough attention for others to do damage.
Lee Hunter fits the bill. The Texas Tech prospect enhanced his stock considerably with a strong week at the Panini Senior Bowl. His core base, violent hands, and ability to take on double teams could be precisely what the Commanders are looking for.
Commanders draft Davison Igbinosun
- Cornerback | Ohio State Buckeyes
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 71
The Commanders also need upgrades in their cornerback room. Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil figure to be part of the team's long-term plans, and both should develop considerably under Daronte Jones, whose work with defensive backs is accomplished.
All bets are off aside from that. Marshon Lattimore will likely be cut. Jonathan Jones, Antonio Hamilton Sr., and Noah Igbinoghene are free agents and may not return. The Commanders should add to the ranks in free agency, but acquiring another high-upside prospect during the draft is another option to consider.
Davison Igbinosun came into the 2025 campaign with questions to answer. He's got the size, length, and physical attributes to be impactful, but consistency needs to improve drastically. He accomplished this impressively, so he could generate significant interest during the pre-draft evaluation process.
Igbinosun thrives in press coverage. That's what Washington is looking for in Jones' new system.
Commanders draft Dani Dennis-Sutton
- Edge Rusher | Penn State Nittany Lions
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 77
The Commanders desperately need more explosiveness on their defensive edge this offseason. General manager Adam Peters hinted that this critical area of the field would finally get the attention it deserves, which was music to the ears of fans and new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones.
Washington has the cash needed to secure one or two productive free agents, depending on who becomes available. Even so, finding a dynamic pass-rusher via the draft should also be contemplated.
There is a good chance the Commanders take an edge defender much higher than this. David Bailey is being strongly linked to Washington with the No. 7 pick. If not, someone with Dani Dennis-Sutton's upside wouldn't be a bad consolation prize by any stretch.
Dennis-Sutton has the size and athletic traits typically associated with Penn State edge rushers. His relentless motor and speed-to-power quickness represent solid foundations to build, but adding to his pass-rushing repertoire is critical when he gets to the pros.
Commanders draft Zachariah Branch
- Wide Receiver | Georgia Bulldogs
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 81
It shouldn't go unnoticed that amid the need to completely revamp the defense, the Washington Commanders must also keep building around quarterback Jayden Daniels. With Terry McLaurin, Luke McCaffrey, and Jaylin Lane the only three wideouts guaranteed to be on the roster in 2026, more is undoubtedly needed.
If Deebo Samuel Sr. leaves in free agency, which could legitimately go either way, the Commanders need a player capable of taking short completions for big gains. Zachariah Branch doesn't have the same physical style, but he is a rocket with the football in his hands. And his improving elusiveness makes the Georgia playmaker an enticing option at this stage of the draft.
Commanders draft VJ Payne
- Safety | Kansas State Jayhawks
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 185
If the Commanders want Daronte Jones' projected scheme to hit the ground running, they need to bolster the safety options urgently. None of the currently available options offers much confidence, so Adam Peters must prioritize acquisitions with physicality and versatility.
VJ Payne has the physical profile Washington is looking for. His speed to the contact point is impressive, and he moves extremely well for a man his size. He's also got the mirroring techniques to cover slot receivers or tight ends in the middle of the field, which Jones will no doubt covet to support his exotic blitz packages.
Payne is projected as a development project, but he could have a greater impact than expected in the right system.
Commanders draft Dave Iuli
- Offensive Line | Oregon Ducks
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 207
If Chris Paul is extended this offseason, all five of Washington's starting offensive linemen will return. That will be the biggest boost imaginable, but Adam Peters must enhance the depth options if, or when, injuries inevitably strike.
Andrew Wylie, Trent Scott, and George Fant are free agents and probably won't be back. Nick Allegretti is an expensive, versatile backup, so he may be released with one year remaining on his deal. Either way, the Commanders must find cheap, dependable options to slot behind the starting unit.
Dave Iuli has the physical profile to develop into a productive contributor. Nobody will be expecting miracles from the interior presence right away, but there is enough upside to take him on Day 3.
Commanders draft Le'Veon Moss
- Running Back | Texas A&M Aggies
- Round No. 7 | Pick No. 223
The Commanders' seventh-round gamble on Jacory Croskey-Merritt paid off handsomely in 2025. While Le'Veon Moss is a little riskier, the ceiling could be through the roof if he gets a better run of luck on the injury front.
Moss's background as a track star makes him a home-run hitter, capable of exploiting the smallest gaps into big gains. A serious knee injury ended his 2024 campaign early, and he again struggled to stay healthy in 2025. Any team looking to find out will need to be satisfied with his medical assessments.
If everything checks out and the Commanders are satisfied with his reports, Moss becomes a high-risk, high-reward prospect with the final pick of the draft.