The Washington Commanders are keeping all their options open as they head into a crucial recruitment phase for the franchise. There is added pressure on those in power to make the necessary improvements, and the team's chances of bouncing back are high if the right reinforcements join the ranks.
Washington's primary decision-makers are currently in Indianapolis for the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. They have spoken to dozens of prospects leading into the draft, and they will run the rule over their athletic capabilities during on-field drills in the coming days. The Commanders' direction in free agency will provide more clues, but head coach Dan Quinn didn't rule out an intriguing curveball with the No. 7 pick.
Most projections have the Commanders taking a defensive prospect. Whether it's Rueben Bain Jr., Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs, David Bailey, or even Sonny Styles, consensus projections are focused on the defense. Even so, Washington may go against the grain when the time comes.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn is a big fan of Jeremiyah Love
During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Quinn was asked specifically about Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. The coach was candid, outlining his exceptional traits, the high hit rate on running backs taken in the top 10 over recent years, and the changing trend league-wide as reasons this might make more sense than fans think.
"Who are the best guys who can impact your team? I think the league has changed a little bit. When you see guys who can make impactful plays, that's really what you're looking for. How does somebody impact a team in a great way? And sometimes that’s through running back. And we’ve seen the players over the last four or five years who have done that, and they deliver."Dan Quinn
Obviously, nothing is set in stone. The Commanders would need to rectify some glaring defensive issues in free agency for this scenario to become more plausible. But the prospect of putting someone like Love alongside star quarterback Jayden Daniels is a mouthwatering one.
Love can do it all. He's arguably the best running back prospect since Bijan Robinson, boasting electrifying traits that should make a seamless transition to the pros. The dual-threat weapon is a threat to score every time he touches the football with a flair for the extravagant. This might be a luxury the Commanders can't afford right now, but Peters is always looking to take the best prospects available regardless of need.
If Downs, Bailey, Reese, and Bain are all gone by the time Washington goes on the clock, this becomes a lot more feasible. Styles would make sense from a need standpoint, and Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate is another possibility. Neither would move the needle like Love.
And if Quinn likes him, as he clearly does, this will also be an opinion shared by others in Washington's draft war room.