The Washington Commanders only have six selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, two of which are in the first four rounds. General manager Adam Peters isn't expecting much trade activity in the top 10 this year, but there are growing murmurings around the media that might not be the case.
Obviously, this is all speculation until further notice. Conversations have likely taken place and will continue until the big night. But unless Peters gets an offer he cannot refuse, he should stand pat and take the best prospect available at No. 7 overall.
Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network had something else in mind. During his latest mock draft projection, the respected analyst had the Commanders trading down to No. 16 overall with the New York Jets. This gives them an extra second-round pick and a fourth-rounder for Peters to utilize, which wouldn't be a bad thing.
Daniel Jeremiah's projection represents a gamble Commanders cannot make
However, given who was still on the board, it became an instantly contentious proposition among the fan base.
"This is about an opportunity here for the New York Jets. To move up, to be aggressive in this draft. They are loaded with picks this year and next year. When you look at the cost for them to go from 16 to seven, you're talking about their second second-round pick, a fourth-round pick, and their 16th overall pick.
"It's not that big of an ask, and a Washington team that needs some more picks. They're a little light, and they don't have a second-round pick, so they slide back."
The Jets moved up for Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate. Notre Dame standout running back Jeremiyah Love and Buckeyes' safety Caleb Downs were also there for the taking. Having extra picks is nice, but passing up on these three prospects represents a gamble of epic proportions.
Downs and Love are projected as the two best overall prospects in this class. Tate is arguably the best wide receiver. None would be available at No. 16 in this scenario. That also probably goes for the likes of Mansoor Delane, Makai Lemon, and Jordyn Tyson.
What's more important than picks, especially for a team with the bounce-back potential of Washington?
Elite players.
That's what's going to help the Commanders more than anything else. The impact Love or Downs could make far exceeds the volume of prospects Peters could acquire. It's a hypothetical scenario, of course, but it would need to be an astronomical offer to move back if the board fell this way.
Peters will keep his phone open for offers. But if Love, Tate, and Downs were all available, he'd be wise to resist the temptation.
Add us as a preferred source on Google