After an eventful early period of free agency, attention is now turning to the 2026 NFL Draft. General manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn have made their presence felt at various pro days across the country in recent weeks, as the selection process approaches. And make no mistake; a strong class is needed this year after the team regressed considerably in 2025.
The Commanders won just five games. They only have two picks in the first four rounds after trading for Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil last year. The margin for error has reduced considerably, but the needs are fewer after several impressive signings from the veteran pool.
Peters has set the table well. The Commanders have their franchise quarterback. They have a premier left tackle, a stud wide receiver, and some intriguing defensive pieces that can hopefully be molded into a cohesive unit. With a bit more quality, Washington's bounce-back potential next season will be extremely high.
The pressure is on to stay composed in the chaos. Using the Pro Football and Sports Network simulator, we projected how things could play out for the Commanders in our latest seven-round 2026 mock draft.
Commanders' 7-round mock draft builds on Adam Peters' aggressive free agency
Commanders draft Caleb Downs
- Safety | Ohio State Buckeyes
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 7
The Washington Commanders have a plethora of possibilities with the No. 7 overall selection. Adam Peters earned some extra flexibility with the pick by acquiring 14 new players in free agency so far. This should allow him to take the best prospect available, regardless of need.
Trading down is an option, though with no quarterback rated high enough to warrant a top-10 pick after Indiana signal-caller Fernando Mendoza goes No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders, finding a potential suitor will be difficult. It'll be a waiting game without the ammunition to move up, but it would be surprising if Caleb Downs wasn't high on the shortlist.
Downs may slide a little due to positional value, but his ceiling is through the roof. The Ohio State prospect is a do-it-all tone-setter on the defensive back end. He's got an exceptional tackling technique, reads the game extremely well, and possesses a unique blend of instincts and supreme athleticism.
Reports about a concerning medical evaluation were seemingly false. Downs might be the best overall prospect in this class, and the Commanders' defense would improve instantly if they pull the trigger on him.
Commanders draft Zachariah Branch
- Wide Receiver | Georgia Bulldogs
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 96
The Washington Commanders need more firepower around quarterback Jayden Daniels in the wide receiver room. Rumors remain rife around Brandon Aiyuk coming on board when he is eventually released by the San Francisco 49ers, but reports also suggest Adam Peters is not going to stop there.
Washington is eager to find out more about Carnell Tate, who'll be under the microscope at No. 7 overall if he is still available. If the Commanders go in a different direction, this class is deep enough to find an immediate contributor with their third-round pick.
After striking a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, giving them an extra pick this year and a third-rounder in 2027, the Commanders get lucky with Zachariah Branch still on the board. He's a compact, fluid slot receiver who can make things happen with the football in his hands, so he would be a difficult proposition to turn down here.
Commanders draft Ephesians Prysock
- Cornerback | Washington Huskies
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 146
Signing Amik Robertson and Ahkello Witherspoon in free agency shouldn't preclude the Commanders from drafting another cornerback. Washington is showing a keen interest in LSU sensation Mansoor Delane, who could be in the mix at No. 7 overall depending on how the board shakes out beforehand.
The Commanders are expecting more from Mike Sainristil. Trey Amos' flashes as a rookie before getting hurt should be built upon. Robertson and Witherspoon could also help, but that won't be enough. Fortunately, there could also be some high-value picks further down the draft if Peters can identify the right prospects.
Ephesians Prysock has impressive size and athleticism. The Washington Huskies standout is 6-foot-4 with 4.45-second speed in the 40-yard dash. He's also fluid for his size, so if he can improve his ability in contested catches, the defensive back has the potential to be a rotational asset immediately before gradually becoming a starting-caliber option.
Commanders draft Trey Zuhn III
- Center | Texas A&M Aggies
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 187
Adam Peters has a new problem to figure out after taking the surprising decision to release starting center Tyler Biadasz. This came out of nowhere, and the general manager has done almost nothing to fill what could be a gaping void if left unaddressed.
The Commanders extended Nick Allegretti early. Most thought he would be a salary-cap cut candidate this offseason, but Peters had other ideas. The former Illinois star will probably get the chance to compete for the starting center gig. Still, giving him a free run at the role would be extremely foolish.
It's considered a deep draft class for centers, which the Commanders should take advantage of. Trey Zuhn III represents a ton of value at this stage, boasting the flexibility to play almost anywhere along the offensive line.
The All-SEC prospect could fit better at the center spot than anywhere else. Zuhn is an imposing physical force, but his arm length is less than ideal.
Commanders draft Nick Barrett
- Defensive Line | South Carolina Gamecocks
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 188
The Washington Commanders are projected to move into a 3-4 base front under new coordinator Daronte Jones. Signing Tim Settle Jr. in free agency gives the franchise a decent-looking trio alongside Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw, but the team's depth could use an upgrade.
Adding a physical force for the nose tackle position might be something Adam Peters contemplates during the draft. They need a presence capable of absorbing combination blocks and freeing up space for others. Nick Barrett ticked those boxes, and he represents a potential steal on Day 3.
Barrett's motor is first class. He's a brute force against the run, boasting violent hands and the exposiveness needed to generate leverage quickly. The South Carolina product is a measured prospect who does almost everything well. If he can improve his consistency and develop a better balance for recovering after losing ground, he's got immediate rotational upside.
Commanders draft Owen Heinecke
- Linebacker | Oklahoma Sooners
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 206
The Commanders bolstered their linebacking corps with Leo Chenal in free agency. He's been a standout rotational force and special-teams ace with the Kansas City Chiefs, so he looks more than ready for increased responsibilities in Washington.
This is a good draft for linebackers. The Commanders still have Frankie Luvu, Jordan Magee, and Chenal. Even so, Peters will probably add to the defensive second-level at some stage.
There is a chance Sonny Styles enters the equation at No. 7 overall if he's not taken beforehand. If Peters opts to bid his time for more value, there could be some hidden gems a little further down the order.
Owen Heinecke might be a little undersized by NFL standards, but he's instinctive, technically sound, and knows how to get around the football. His last season at Oklahoma was a massive step forward, so he's well worth a gamble here.
Commanders draft J'Mari Taylor
- Running Back | Virginia Cavaliers
- Round No. 7 | Pick No. 223
Speculation continues to mount around the Commanders potentially selecting Notre Dame standout Jeremiyah Love with the No. 7 pick, though he might be gone by the time Washington goes on the clock. However, Adam Peters could wait until a little later, as he did last year with Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
The Commanders have Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, Jerome Ford, and Jeremy McNichols in their running back room right now. Love would be a tempting proposition, but Peters may decide that Washington is not in a position to be taking the backfield weapon so high in the draft.
J'Mari Taylor is the choice with Washington's final selection. He's a little undersized, but the progress he made at Virginia last season is encouraging. Gaining 1,315 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns is no mean feat. Even though he may not be an every-down back, he could carve out a role on the rotation as a development project.