The Washington Commanders have an upcoming decision with grave ramifications attached if it goes wrong. General manager Adam Peters cannot miss on his first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, especially considering the lack of assets and it's the No. 7 overall selection.
Peters will bide his time, examining the board before striking on his preferred target. The shortlist is seemingly around 5 to 6 prospects, according to analysts. Nothing should be completely dismissed, but there is growing momentum around one option surging into top-10 consideration at the right time.
It's hard to ignore the hype building around LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. The Commanders are eager to find out more, bringing him in on a pre-draft visit. He's the consensus best at his position in this class, and Matt Miller of ESPN thought Washington represented the perfect fit.
Matt Miller fuels Commanders' hype around LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane
With David Bailey, Rueben Bain Jr., and Sonny Styles still on the board, Miller still had the Commanders taking Delane in his latest mock draft. He's convinced this could be the shutdown presence Washington needs to take its defense to greater heights, and he is well worth the No. 7 pick after a standout college career.
"After a disappointing 5-12 season, the Commanders need to restock at core positions. With Marshon Lattimore and Jonathan Jones departing this offseason, cornerback is high on that list. Washington brought in Amik Robertson to help on the inside, but it needs an elite shutdown corner.
"[Mansoor] Delane did that better than anyone in the nation last season, allowing only 10 completions for 119 yards while showing a penchant for timely tackles and big plays. Despite being targeted only 36 times, Delane picked off two passes to show off his playmaking skills."
The Commanders won't be drafting for depth. At No. 7, they won't be drafting for need either. Much will depend on what goes on in front of them, but Delane is a worthy contender for the pick.
Delane is the definition of a lockdown corner. The Commanders still have high hopes for Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil, but the incoming prospect has the scope to clear anything Washington currently has by a considerable margin.
Daronte Jones' opinion and projected scheme will go a long way to determining whether Delane is the guy. The Commanders also need to focus on quarterback Jayden Daniels, putting wide receiver Carnell Tate and running back Jeremiyah Love under the spotlight. Peters has the luxury of being creative and flexible. If he sets his sights on a corner, there is only one candidate in the mix.
Washington's selection is among the most fascinating. Peters has no clue how things will go ahead of him. But he will have a plan in place for every eventuality.
And if Delane is the guy, nobody should be complaining too much.