The time is almost upon us. All the rumors, speculation, and smoke will officially come to an end for the Washington Commanders when the 2026 NFL Draft commences. And it promises to be a wild few days for general manager Adam Peters to navigate.
It's an interesting spot Washington finds itself in. Peters has the No. 7 overall selection after a season that fell by the wayside. Nothing much went right, but the Commanders have worked throughout the offseason to provide confidence that this slump won't be the start of something more concerning.
Peters was extremely active in free agency, signing 15 new players and re-signing several to fortify depth. The Commanders are in a better spot, but hitting on their six draft picks is critical.
Only two of Washington's selections are in the first four rounds. That reduces the margin for error, so Peters must set the tone by making the most out of his first-rounder.
It's an unpredictable draft with very few guarantees after Fernando Mendoza becomes the first prospect taken. This means the Commanders must think on their feet about what's going on around them. And they have to get it right.
Using the Pro Football and Sports Network simulator, we projected how things might shake out in our final Commanders' seven-round mock draft of the 2026 cycle.
Commanders' final mock draft brings surprises and gambles to help bounce-back hopes
Commanders draft Sonny Styles
- Linebacker | Ohio State Buckeyes
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 7
First, let's see how things shook out ahead of the Washington Commanders before the No. 7 pick.
Team & Draft Spot | Player Chosen |
|---|---|
Las Vegas Raiders (No. 1) | Fernando Mendoza (QB) |
New York Jets (No. 2) | Arvell Reese (LB/EDGE) |
Arizona Cardinals (No. 3) | David Bailey (EDGE) |
Tennessee Titans (No. 4) | Jeremiyah Love (RB) |
New York Giants (No. 5) | Caleb Downs (S) |
Cleveland Browns (No. 6) | Francis Mauigoa (OT) |
That left the Commanders with a few intriguing options. Washington could take Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate to give quarterback Jayden Daniels more firepower in the passing game. But if his former Buckeyes teammate Sonny Styles was also available, this could be the gift head coach Dan Quinn is looking for.
The Commanders have clearly become enamored with Styles throughout their pre-draft assessments. Quinn and Peters have raved about the player on both production and leadership fronts. With veteran Bobby Wagner unlikely to return, this could be Washington's next defensive linchpin for new coordinator Daronte Jones to build around.
Styles's physique, athleticism, and playmaking ability in all phases make him a can't-miss prospect. His historic testing numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine saw his stock soar to unprecedented heights. There is a chance he won't be available, but some respected draft insiders believe this will be Washington's preference if Peters gets the chance.
Passing on Tate would be a big call, especially if he takes the league by storm. But in a draft where there are very few sure things, Styles is well worth the gamble.
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