Excitement is building as the Washington Commanders finalize their plans before the 2026 NFL Draft. But for general manager Adam Peters and his staff, it'll be a nervous waiting game before they go on the clock at No. 7 overall.
And their stance will be defined by the six picks they cannot control.
Peters is doing his due diligence on prospects, ensuring he is ready for anything. The Commanders don't have much margin for error with only six selections, two of which are in the first four rounds. That makes their first-round choice even more integral, but everything until then is out of their hands.
Commanders face an anxious wait in a draft full of unknowns
This is a draft full of unknowns. The No. 1 overall pick seems like a foregone conclusion, but all bets are off aside from that. There are some likely candidates in contention for the top six, but according to most whispers from experts and insiders, there aren't many legitimate blue-chip prospects.
Based on mock draft projections, here are those who could be in contention in the five draft spots after Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza hears his name called first by the Las Vegas Raiders.
- Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza
- New York Jets: David Bailey, Arvell Reese
- Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese, David Bailey
- Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, Sonny Styles, Rueben Bain Jr., David Bailey
- New York Giants: Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs, Carnell Tate, Jeremiyah Love, Francis Mauigoa
- Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, Carnell Tate, Kadyn Proctor, Jordyn Tyson, Rueben Bain Jr.
You see the problem here.
The Commanders will have plans in place for every eventuality. However, even Peters admitted he has no clue how things will play out.
Speculation is also rising that teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs are making aggressive moves into the top six to secure their preferred prospects. Considering that two NFC East rivals are ahead of Jerry Jones in the pecking order, he may consider being aggressive to potentially gain the upper hand.
Unless there is a significant surprise, the Commanders will have prospects like Jeremiyah Love, Caleb Downs, and Mansoor Delane available for the taking. Jordyn Tyson's status will be determined by his medical results and individual workout later this week. There is a chance Sonny Styles and Carnell Tate are still around, but that is looking increasingly unlikely.
Peters could also look to move back, but not too much. Having extra picks is nice. Finding an elite prospect who can become an immediate impact player is even more important.
It'll be fascinating to watch, that's for sure. But for Peters, staying calm in the chaos is critical.
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