We're almost there. It's finally NFL Draft week, which will bring an end to the constant rumors and speculation about the Washington Commanders and what their plans are at No. 7 overall.
Obviously, the Commanders need a little bit of luck. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be the first prospect taken, but it's extremely unpredictable after that. Washington has several intriguing candidates in mind, and general manager Adam Peters must stay composed in a powder-keg situation that could go off at any moment.
Peters has admitted on more than one occasion that he is unsure about how things will unfold. He's not expecting many offers for the No. 7 pick, though Washington may be open for business. Sticking and picking is fine too, especially if someone high on their draft board falls into their laps.
Just who that'll be is the big question. The landscape shifted again when the New York Giants traded Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 10 pick, giving them two inside the top 10 now. For the Commanders, it's a waiting game, but hitting on the first pick could set Peters up nicely.
Using the Pro Football and Sports Network simulator, we looked at how Washington could approach its selections in our penultimate seven-round mock draft of the 2026 cycle.
Commanders get a gift from the football gods to begin seven-round mock draft
Commanders draft Jeremiyah Love
- Running Back | Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 7
One doesn't have to look far around the media to see Jeremiyah Love and the Washington Commanders closely linked. The running back is a phenomenal prospect. Several respected insiders and analysts believe forming a backfield tandem with quarterback Jayden Daniels is the best fit — a proposition that will no doubt terrify every opposing defensive coordinator in the entire league.
In a draft where there are very few elite-level prospects at the top end, Love is arguably the best of the bunch. Positional value is the biggest talking point, but marking the prospect as just another running back is foolish. He's a match-up nightmare in the passing game, too.
Whether the Commanders can justify taking a running back this high is anyone's guess. Adam Peters signed Rachaad White and Jerome Ford in free agency. Jeremy McNichols got another one-year deal, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt should improve further. All are solid players, but none come with the elite-level upside of Love.
He may be gone by the time Washington goes on the clock. But if Love somehow makes it to No. 7, don't be surprised if Peters pulls the trigger.
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