The Washington Commanders required a little bit of luck to get their guy. General manager Adam Peters got precisely that, leaving him free to take linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 7 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Styles was head coach Dan Quinn's guy from a long way out. Peters spoke glowingly about the second-level presence at the annual league meeting. Not many thought he would slip out of the top five, but when he did, the Commanders were wise not to turn away this gift from the football gods.
This is the main piece of the puzzle; there's no getting away from that. But the hard work is just beginning as the Commanders look to bolster their chances of bouncing back when competitive action resumes.
Commanders must find another weapon for Jayden Daniels on Day 2 of the draft
Peters' next move couldn't be clearer. It'll be a long wait until No. 71 overall in the third round, but finding another weapon for quarterback Jayden Daniels is absolutely crucial.
The Commanders rightfully prioritized the defense in free agency. Nothing else would have sufficed from Peters' perspective, but the supporting cast around Daniels looks subpar. There is a chance one of the receivers behind Terry McLaurin breaks out in more creative schematic concepts under David Blough, but that is no guarantee whatsoever.
Speculation remains that Brandon Aiyuk will eventually join once his saga with the San Francisco 49ers concludes, but expecting him to be a 1,000-yard receiver after so long out due to injury is not smart. More is required, and even though Washington has enough salary-cap space to add via the veteran pool, the draft provides cheaper, more explosive alternatives.
Obviously, nothing is set in stone. The Commanders have a lot going for them, but their hands are tied unless Peters wants to make a small move into the late second round if a prospect of interest falls far enough. It's a wait-and-see scenario, but they cannot stand pat around Daniels, entering a crucial Year 3 for the signal-caller.
And it's not just the receiver spot, either.
The Commanders look set at tight end after the intriguing signing of Chig Okonkwo, but they could use an extra level of explosiveness in their running back room. Jeremiyah Love was always a pipedream, but they are reportedly high on Clemson prospect Adam Randall, who will probably be available early on Day 3.
Styles was a shocking pick, purely because almost nobody thought he would be available. Now, the onus is on Peters to make things easier for his franchise player.
Anything less is organizational malpractice.
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