The Washington Commanders may not be looking for an elite shutdown cornerback, given what Daronte Jones prioritizes within his defensive scheme. However, the team is still light on dependable options heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
Washington could draft LSU prospect Mansoor Delane at No. 7 overall or with a trade back, and they have shown interest. Even so, it would be surprising, but there are other possibilities a little further down the pecking order for general manager Adam Peters to consider.
And another clue emerged in the form of an intriguing pre-draft visit.
Commanders add intrigue by hosting Keionte Scott on a pre-draft visit
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Commanders are among the teams set to welcome Miami cornerback Keionte Scott for a meeting. The prospect played a significant role in the Hurricanes' sensational run to the college football national championship game, and his testing throughout the assessment process has only further boosted his stock.
Unsurprisingly, the Commanders are not alone in wanting to find out more about the defensive back. Schultz also revealed that the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans have visits scheduled, so if Washington wants him, Peters needs to think long and hard about his moves.
Most draft analysts expect Scott to be a top 50 selection. Picking him at No. 7 is way too high, and even if Peters managed to navigate a trade down, anywhere in the first round seems risky. The Commanders also don't have a pick after that until No. 71, so they would likely need to acquire a second-round pick to make this a likely scenario.
Scott won't drop into the third round. He may not last long in the second if someone else doesn't take him in the late first. But considering his competitiveness, willingness against the run, and blazing athletic attributes, it's not hard to see why the Commanders are intrigued.
This is all about doing due diligence. Peters wants a full lay of the land, ensuring he will be ready for anything when the draft rolls around. Scott may not be in reach when push comes to shove, but the Commanders won't leave anything to chance.
Marshon Lattimore, Noah Igbinoghene, and Jonathan Jones have all left Washington this offseason. The Commanders acquired Amik Robertson and Ahkello Witherspoon to go alongside Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil, but neither new signing is expected to move the needle all that much.
More is required. Whether it's Scott or someone else, the Commanders need another capable performer, preferably with explosive tendencies and long-term upside.
Anything less, and it's easy to see where the complications could arise.