Messages coming from the Washington Commanders' locker room still speak to the unity and brotherhood amid turbulent times. But in a few short months, this roster will look entirely different.
This all starts with the draft. Adam Peters doesn't have many selections at his disposal. Still, the Commanders could have a high-end choice in the first round to either trade back or find a long-term difference-maker capable of being a franchise cornerstone.
And in this scenario, the Commanders send an unmistakable warning to a fading breakout candidate whose future as a starter beyond 2025 is hanging by a thread.
Commanders turn up the heat on Quan Martin with 2026 mock draft choice
Vinnie Iyer from The Sporting News had the Commanders selecting Ohio State safety Caleb Downs in his latest mock draft. He's projected as one of the safest bets in this year's class. He'd also fill a massive need as a genuine game-changer on the backend capable of helping at all three levels of the field.
"The Commanders need to get younger and more impactful in their defense after things fell apart in their secondary and around Bobby Wagner at linebacker. [Caleb] Downs is a terrific do-everything hybrid who would be set up to make a lot of big plays in Dan Quinn's scheme."Vinnie Iyer
Downs is an exceptional prospect. Positional importance could cause him to slide slightly, but he has all the credentials to be a top-10 pick. And if the Commanders went in this direction, it would tell fans all they need to know about how those in power perceive Quan Martin's long-term outlook.
Martin was projected to make serious strides this season. These expectations haven't been met, and even though the former Illinois star has shown signs of life in recent weeks, the overall body of work is what matters. It's also worth remembering that he is entering the final year of his deal in 2026, so now would be a good time to find a more viable long-term option.
That would all change if they drafted Downs. He's being tabbed as the next great safety prospect. There is relentlessness in everything he does. Whether it's against the run, in coverage as the nickel, supporting on the backend, or even on blitz packages, there is nothing the Buckeyes' standout cannot do.
One could make a strong argument that letting Jeremy Chinn walk to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency was Peters' biggest mistake during his second recruiting period. His dynamism and versatility have been sorely missed. There's nothing the front-office leader can do about it now, but drafting Downs would solve this issue in the blink of an eye.
What that would mean for Martin's status remains to be seen. However, the Commanders are not in a position to be sentimental after a season that promised much but delivered almost nothing.