After a busy free agency that saw 14 new players acquired by the Washington Commanders, general manager Adam Peters has a big decision to make with the No. 7 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. The front-office leader has some added flexibility, but he cannot get this decision wrong.
The Commanders have six picks in the draft, but only two in the opening four rounds. Peters doesn't select again until No. 71 after his first-rounder, which decreases the margin for error considerably. But there should be some potential difference-makers if the board works in Washington's favor.
Peters has a plan in place. Speculation is rife in the media about which direction the Commanders could take. Several names are being hotly linked to Washington, but one NFL Draft analyst had something much more controversial in mind.
NFL Draft analyst makes compelling case for the Commanders taking Makai Lemon
Ian Cummings of the Pro Football and Sports Network had the Commanders taking USC wide receiver Makai Lemon in his latest mock draft. The analyst highlighted Washington's lack of receiving quality and the prospect's ability to create leverage as reasons why this shouldn't be dismissed entirely.
"The Commanders gave themselves some modest flexibility at the seventh overall pick with their signings in free agency. Safety and EDGE are still on the table, but the barren wide receiver room looms large with quarterback Jayden Daniels needing a bounce-back season.
"While Makai Lemon doesn’t have the size or vertical speed that some of Daniels’ past WRs have boasted, Lemon does have the elite leverage play and catch-point conversion to make Daniels’ job easy, while also boasting rare short-area energy, RAC, and separation freedom."
Lemon isn't the most explosive athlete to ever join the NFL. However, he knows how to get open, and his execution in the short-to-intermediate areas of the field would make him the perfect replacement for Deebo Samuel Sr.
While his testing numbers during the pre-draft process were less than ideal, Lemon's tape does the talking. He's got an elite mindset, never backing down from a fight and displaying the sort of swagger that's hard not to love. His ability in contested catch situations is first class, and he's explosive after the catch for good measure.
Carnell Tate was gone in this scenario. Sonny Styles, Rueben Bain Jr., Caleb Downs, and Mansoor Delane were all on the board. Passing those up for Lemon is a gamble, but the rewards could be substantial if he hits the ground running.
The Commanders have already brought in Lemon for a pre-draft visit, which is the clearest indicator of strong interest. Not many around the media have the Trojans' sensation going this high, but Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. wasn't on anyone's radar before Washington took him with the No. 29 pick last year.
It would be contentious, to put it mildly. But if Peters has complete conviction in Lemon's pro chances, he won't hesitate.