With the Washington Commanders sitting at 1-4-1, some fans might already be turning their attention to the early mock boards for the 2027 NFL Draft, which will be held in D.C. But there's one player they can probably forget about.
After the season-ending — and possibly Commanders tenure-ending — torn patellar tendon injury to Terry McLaurin, Washington will need to think long-term with its wide receiver plans. Stefon Diggs is on a one-year deal, and the team doesn't have any building blocks at the position other than third-round rookie Antonio Williams.
They'll need help. But unless this season really goes off the rails, they're not getting Jeremiah Smith.
Jeremiah Smith has played his way into first-overall talks, and the Commanders aren't that bad
The Commanders aren't good, but they're not as bad as their record. They've played a brutal schedule, and their lone win was against the defending Super Bowl champions. They just suffered a coin-flip loss on the road against an undefeated San Francisco 49ers team, and they were dominating the Indianapolis Colts until they had to plug in their third-string quarterback.
Washington should finish this season with at least six or seven wins. In their next eight games, the Commanders have one of the league's easiest schedules. Quarterback Jayden Daniels now has a bye week to let his dislocated elbow heal, and he's already looked no worse for wear while playing through it with a brace.
In all likelihood, the Commanders will be drafting toward the middle of the pack. Unless injuries spiral out of control again and the team completely quits on head coach Dan Quinn, they won't be in the top few picks.
And that's where the Ohio State phenom will be going.
Disappointing QB class and Jeremiah Smith's ascent has taken him out of the Commanders' range
This year's draft class was supposed to be quarterback-heavy at the top, but that's less certain now. Texas's Arch Manning continues to underwhelm, and Oregon's Dante Moore is hurt. Recent mocks have Smith as high as the first-overall pick, as the star wideout has emerged as a Heisman Trophy favorite while carrying the Buckeyes' offense.
Washington should have other options at receiver, such as Texas's Cam Coleman and Indiana's Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh. Additional names are sure to emerge throughout the remainder of the season and the pre-draft process as well.
Smith is a special prospect who could transform the offense of any team that drafts him, but then again, the same was said about Marvin Harrison Jr. You never know for sure until they're playing at the NFL level, and that's why you can't ever hinge your hopes on drafting one specific player.
It's all about development. And the Commanders will need to make due with whoever is on the board.
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