The Washington Commanders are looking to find out a little more about some leading contenders to be the No. 7 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. There is an enormous pressure on general manager Adam Peters to get this move right with only six picks at his disposal, and only two of those are in the first rounds after their bombshell trade for left tackle Laremy Tunsil last year.
Peters wanted to get a true feel for prospects. And he returned to the method that eventually led the team to select quarterback Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Commanders hosted 20 prospects for visits simultaneously. Instead of your stereotypical testing, workouts, and interviews, Peters and his staff opted for another trip to Top Golf.
Commanders' return to Top Golf makes perfect sense before turbulent draft begins
Among those in attendance were Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Carnell Tate, Caleb Downs, David Bailey, Jeremiyah Love, Makai Lemson, Jordyn Tyson, Mansoor Delane, and Rueben Bain Jr., all of whom have been closely linked to Washington throughout the pre-draft process.
It's an unusual method, but it makes more sense than you think.
The assessment phase can be a laborious process for both draft prospects and NFL teams. Being part of something like the Commanders had planned represented a nice change of pace. It allows for a more informal environment where staff can see how competitive each individual is and how they respond to peers. You don't get that from a standard visit.
Washington has watched countless hours of tape. Peters and scouts have spent time interviewing them at the Senior Bowl, NFL Scouting Combine, and pro days. They likely have all the required information, and prospects are pretty well trained in what to say these days.
Getting them relaxed and out of their comfort zone allowed the Commanders to see their true personalities. It's a break from the norm and a lot more fun.
And if it comes with similar success as last time, when the Commanders zeroed in on Daniels, that'll be just fine with fans.
There are a lot of unknowns at the top end of this draft. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will go No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, but nothing is guaranteed after that. Getting a closer look at prospects in unfamiliar surroundings could help Washington make the correct decision. But in all honesty, it may just confirm their initial perceptions.
Several of the visitors for Top Golf won't be around when Washington goes on the clock at No. 7. Some will be, and others could be available a little further down the pecking order. But make no mistake: Peters will have a strategy in place for every situation that may arise.
And the Commanders' pick at No. 7 will probably come from this Top Golf contingent if history is any indication.
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