The importance of this offseason for general manager Adam Peters cannot be overstated. It's been a campaign to forget for the Washington Commanders, and the moves made during next spring will go a long way toward determining the franchise's long-term path.
And after Peters went with aging veterans to potentially go one better and reach the Super Bowl, which didn't pan out, building through the draft is imperative.
This is the most traditional method of sustained growth around the league. Unfortunately, the Commanders are relatively devoid of draft capital after trading for left tackle Laremy Tunsil and cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Peters has six selections at his disposal, but only two of those are in the opening four rounds. That's a problem.
It looks like the Commanders will have a top-10 selection unless there is a drastic turnaround in their final three games. This gives Peters more options, but much will depend on how things play out and whether any suitable interest in a trade-down opportunity arises.
There is a long way to go before anything is determined. But using the Pro Football Network simulator, we took a look at how the Commanders could approach things in our latest seven-round 2026 mock draft.
Commanders' 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft begins with asset-gaining trade down
Commanders draft David Bailey
- Edge Rusher | Texas Tech Red Raiders
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 17
The Washington Commanders have to get more picks. It's the NFL's oldest roster right now, and they're playing like it. This bears greater significance on the defensive side of the football, which won't go unnoticed by general manager Adam Peters before a tenure-defining third recruitment period at the helm.
In this scenario, the Commanders find a willing trade partner in the Buffalo Bills, who went up for USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. This gained some valuable assets in 2026 and beyond. That's only going to help Peters' efforts to build a sustainable contender.
The topic then goes to what the Commanders could do in the first round. There are several needs to fill. However, none are more critical than finding younger, dynamic players who can pressure opposing quarterbacks.
That's where David Bailey comes in. Although most draft experts project the Texas Tech prospect to be taken much higher than this right now, he'd be well worth considering even if the Commanders hold firm in the top 10.
His dynamism, ferocity, and elite-level burst make him a difficult proposition to overcome. Bailey is a little undersized, but head coach Dan Quinn has had tons of success with players who boast these physical attributes, so this looks like a tremendous fit.