Adam Peters only has six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. That decreases his margin for error, but there is some extra freedom to be flexible after no fewer than 12 new faces were acquired over an extremely busy initial period of free agency.
Everyone has an opinion, and the Commanders are dropping subtle clues. ESPN insider Adam Schefter's claim about Notre Dame running back Jeramiyah Love didn't go unnoticed, but hitting on Washington's picks lower down the draft order is crucial before a high-stakes campaign.
Visits are being arranged. This indicates the Commanders want to know more about specific prospects, but whether they draft them or not is another matter.
Commanders eager to find out more about fast-rising prospect Daylen Everette
Five visits have become public knowledge so far. One of them is Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Daylen Everette, whose stock has soared during the evaluation process thanks in no small part to his exceptional athleticism.
Everette has the size and length that defensive coordinator Daronte Jones could want in his boundary cornerbacks. His 9.88 Relative Athletic Score ranked 35th out of 2,822 cornerbacks since 1987. There are some things to work on, but these physical traits represent a solid foundation from which to build.
The prospect needs to improve his instincts. Everette needs to make some technical refinements, especially when working with his back to the football. Being more aware of space is something else the defensive back must improve to fully maximize his outstanding athletic attributes.
Most analysts project Everette to go at some stage on Day 2. The second round might be a little too high, but teams are always willing to bet in this sort of athleticism when it comes to the crunch. If the Commanders go with Love or anyone not named Mansoor Delane with their first-rounder, adding a corner at No. 71 overall seems entirely feasible.
Prospects with blazing speed and elite-level athletic credentials are nice, but if they cannot put it together in the NFL, they don't last long. What the Commanders need to determine is whether Everette's flaws can be corrected quickly enough to make an immediate impact. Because that's precisely what they need from their third-round pick in 2026.
There would be nowhere better for Everette to get himself up to speed. Jones has excellent prior credentials with defensive back development. If the coordinator sees something in the prospect that could be molded, that might be enough for the Commanders to pull the trigger if the opportunity presents itself.
They may have another option or two in mind, but Everette's visit indicates that the Commanders want to learn more.
And if the prospect impresses enough, who knows what will happen.