The Washington Commanders need to hit on their first-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. There should be plenty of intriguing prospects available for general manager Adam Peters at No. 7 overall, but with no second or fourth round picks this spring, the margin for error has diminished significantly.
Most fans and experts expect the Commanders to spend their pick on the defensive side of the football. They are desperate for edge rushing help, putting David Bailey and Rueben Bain Jr. under the microscope. Someone like Sonny Styles could fortify the linebacking corps, while Mansoor Delane may be another option to go alongside Mike Sainristil and Trey Amos at cornerback.
If Daronte Jones wants a legitimate tone-setting safety, Caleb Downs will be the guy. However, the Ohio State sensation may not be around when Washington goeson the clock if New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh has any say in the matter.
John Harbaugh could take Caleb Downs out of Commanders' reach at No. 7
During an appearance on the Mike Francesca Podcast, Harbaugh revealed that he would take Downs in a heartbeat at No. 5 overall. He wants the Giants to take the best player available, regardless of need or positional importance. That would not be great news for the Commanders, especially considering they'd have to face the defensive back twice a season within the NFC East.
"Big fan. Big fan. We value Hall of Fame safeties, so if we have the chance to potentially draft a future Hall of Fame safety in Caleb Downs, that would be just fine with me. We'll take the best player. When you draft that high, you take the best player. It's not a need pick; it's the best player pick. That's what the goal is at that pick. That guy would be just fine with me. I'd take him in a second."John Harbaugh
Harbaugh knows the value of having an ultra-productive safety. He's worked with exceptional forces such as Brian Dawkins, Ed Reed, and Kyle Hamilton throughout his illustrious coaching career. It's clear he sees Downs as someone who could follow a similar trajectory to superstardom, and if he's got the final say over general manager Joe Schoen, this might be the choice when push comes to shove.
The Commanders will be ready for anything. Peters got some decent returns from his 2025 draft class in difficult circumstances. If he can find a blue-chip difference-maker at No. 7, the better Washington's chances of bouncing back quickly will be.
It's not seen as the strongest draft. One could make a case for three or four having legitimate Pro Bowl or better upside right now. Downs is one of them.
But if he ended up on the Giants, that would be nightmare fuel for head coach Dan Quinn.