The guessing games and speculation are almost at an end.
General manager Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn, and other influential staff members will shortly navigate the 2026 NFL Draft. And one insider believes the Washington Commanders will keep their biggest offseason priority at the forefront.
Peters doesn't really know what'll go on in front of him. One pick is guaranteed, but all bets are off besides that. There should be some intriguing options available to the Commanders, who need to hit on their No. 7 pick with no selection after that until No. 71 overall.
Longtime draft insider Todd McShay of The Ringer discussed which direction he thinks the Commanders will go. He said, after speaking with sources, that there is authority around Peters taking a defensive difference-maker over another weapon for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Todd McShay believes Commanders to retain their offseason defensive focus at No. 7
Who that'll be remains uncertain, but McShay sounded pretty convinced.
"The last conversation I had was very authoritative, and that was this pick will be defense. [Dan] Quinn has got it -- priority is too light a word. It's a mandate that we get that we get that defense fixed."
Obviously, nobody knows for certain. It'll be a waiting game for the Commanders, and they aren't loaded with picks to move up. Peters would need to get lucky, but there could be a couple of intriguing options there for the taking if defense is the play.
Linebacker Sonny Styles will likely be high on the Commanders' board, given how well Peters and Quinn have spoken about him during the pre-draft process. He also fits the elite-athlete mold this regime seeks. His former Ohio State teammate Caleb Downs might be another possibility, but that is less clear.
Late momentum is building for LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. If the Commanders get really fortunate, do-it-all linebacker Arvell Reese could fall into their lap. And one couldn't completely dismiss formidable Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., either.
Passing on an offensive prospect would be contentious, especially if Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love was somehow still on the board. But taking a defensive option perfectly aligns with Peters' intent this offseason.
There is a new coordinator. The defensive starters were gutted in favor of upgrades in free agency. Aging veterans and underperformers were cut loose or allowed to walk away without much fanfare. The Commanders got younger and more explosive, a trend that could continue in the draft.
McShay seemed convinced. Fortunately, there isn't much longer to wait.
Add us as a preferred source on Google