The Washington Commanders now have more information on prospects of interest after the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
It was another fascinating few days in which potential stars either rose or diminished their stock. There is a long way to go, but general manager Adam Peters and his staff will now have a better idea of what options could be legitimately in the frame during the all-important selection process.
Peters has no real margin for error during the draft. The Commanders only have six picks, and only two of those are in the first four rounds after last offseason's blockbuster trade for left tackle Laremy Tunsil. While the front-office leader would do that deal again, it doesn't change the fact that Washington is short of high-end capital to utilize.
Obviously, the Commanders need to attack free agency with the vast financial assets at their disposal. Finding starting-caliber upgrades and cheaper options for depth purposes will be crucial to give Peters a little extra flexibility during the draft. Washington also has the No. 7 pick, which is the perfect opportunity to find a blue-chip prospect to potentially be a franchise cornerstone for years to come.
Using the Pro Football and Sports Network simulator, we took a look at how the Commanders may approach their picks in our post-Combine mock draft.
Commanders' 7-round 2026 mock draft after the NFL Scouting Combine
Commanders draft Sonny Styles
- Linebacker | Ohio State Buckeyes
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 7
Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles was already being touted as a potential option for the Washington Commanders before the NFL Scouting Combine. Now, he should be firmly on the team's radar.
Styles turned in a historic performance at Lucas Oil Stadium. His numbers were jaw-dropping and borderline record-breaking. More importantly, this stands up to what the second-level presence put on tape during his glittering spell with the Buckeyes.
The Commanders need more from the linebacking corps. This need becomes even greater if Bobby Wagner takes his chances elsewhere, which would be a bad thing given Washington's desperate need to get younger and more explosive on defense. Frankie Luvu will have a role to play, and Jordan Magee remains an intriguing option. But adding Styles into the mix would change everything.
He is a genuine sideline-to-sideline force with the dynamism and explosiveness to set the tone. Styles' previous experience at safety makes him a good coverage player, and his length could even be switched to the edge if the situation dictates.
Washington cannot miss on its first-round pick. Styles is a safer bet than most.
Commanders draft Ted Hurst
- Wide Receiver | Georgia State Panthers
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 71
Even though the Washington Commanders need to prioritize defensive reinforcements this offseason, general manager Adam Peters must also do whatever it takes to surround quarterback Jayden Daniels with the weapons needed to excel. After all, this will be Year 3 of his rookie deal, so it won't be much longer before it gets much more expensive to keep him around.
There is obvious urgency to maximize this window. The Commanders could be aggressive in free agency, especially if wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. doesn't get another deal. Either way, adding to the wideout room with a dynamic option in the third round is something that will no doubt enter the team's thought process.
Ted Hurst offers something the Commanders don't have right now. He's a big-bodied option with a wide catch radius. The Georgia State prospect is a smooth mover with long strides that can stretch the field effortlessly. And looking at the pass-catcher's trajectory, he could be just scratching the surface of what he's truly capable of.
If Hurst can improve his play strength once he gets to the pros, in addition to enhancing his route tree under the guidance of Washington's staff, there is a lot to like about his ability to make an immediate impact within David Blough's projected offensive system.
Commanders draft Michael Taaffe
- Safety | Texas Longhorns
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 145
New Commanders defensive coordinator Daronte Jones singled out almost every safety on the roster during his introductory press conference, praising their versatility and potential fit within his schematic concepts. However, fans are not entirely convinced Washington will run it back.
Nor should they. Nobody on the safety unit shone with any meaningful consistency last season. Quan Martin's breakout fell way short. Will Harris didn't perform well even when healthy. Jeremy Reaves has obvious limitations. Tyler Owens and Percy Butler were nothing more than special-teams assets.
A major rethink is needed. Speculation around Ohio State prospect Caleb Downs remains rife with the No. 7 overall pick. But if the Commanders acquire an upgrade in free agency, waiting a little lower down the order is something to consider.
That's where Michael Taaffe comes in. The Texas prospect earned All-American honors in 2024 and performed well for the Longhorns in 2025. While his size is only average, he's got the instinctiveness and short-area quickness needed to carve out an immediate role for himself.
Taaffe is also technically sound. He rarely missed tackles in college, which was an obvious problem across Washington's secondary last season. He goes about his business quietly, but the defensive back is a well-rounded option at this stage of the draft.
Commanders draft Trey Zuhn III
- Center | Texas A&M Aggies
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 186
The Washington Commanders took the surprising decision to release starting center Tyler Biadasz, which remains bemusing to most fans. He's been a solid option over the last two seasons, providing dependability and leadership. He's also got plenty of good years left, so this was a head-scratching move.
It also creates another gaping hole that must be filled. The Commanders' offensive line was expected to be the one stable area of the roster this offseason, but with Biadasz sent packing and Chris Paul set to test free agency, the interior now needs significant work.
There will be plenty of intriguing centers available in free agency. If the Commanders want to find a potential starter for much cheaper, taking a chance on Trey Zuhn III could be an avenue worth exploring.
While his arm length isn't ideal, Zuhn has a stout anchor, heavy hands, and the athleticism to go with it. He's also versatile enough to play anywhere along the protection, which is always a coveted commodity.
Commanders draft Vincent Anthony Jr.
- Edge Rusher | Duke Blue Devils
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 197
It would be surprising if Adam Peters waited until this stage of the draft to find an edge rusher, but the Commanders have cash to spend in free agency. And judging by the general manager's comments after the campaign concluded, this could be the area he prioritizes above all else.
Nobody would be complaining about that. The Commanders are desperately short of capable pass-rushers. Dorannce Armstrong Jr. and Javontae Jean-Baptiste are the only players guaranteed to be back, so a complete reset isn't entirely out of the question. In this scenario, the Commanders may also want to find a Day 3 gem capable of impacting the rotation immediately.
While Vincent Anthony Jr. may not have lit up the stat sheet at Duke, he's got the size, length, and athletic profile that looks tailor-made for Daronte Jones' schematic concepts. With a little extra refinement, this could be a steal here.
Commanders draft T.J. Hall
- Cornerback | Iowa Hawkeyes
- Round No. 7 | Pick No. 224
Like the edge-rushing room, one would expect the Commanders to be aggressive in their pursuit of proven experience at cornerback. Adam Peters spent high-end draft capital on Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil over the last two years. Now, the time to make a big splash in free agency has arrived.
Marshon Lattimore will likely be released, with considerable cap savings. Jonathan Jones, Antonio Hamilton Sr., and Noah Igbinoghene are free agents and may not return. That leaves only Amos and Sainristil, who are young but still growing as players.
Even if the Commanders find some capable bodies on the veteran market, Peters needs to fortify depth with a development project that could potentially become something more over time. T.J. Hall has some technical flaws to figure out, but he's well worth a gamble with Washington's final selection.