Breaking down the four expected picks for the Washington Commanders on day three of the 2026 NFL Draft
After selecting former Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles on day one and former Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams on day two, the Washington Commanders enter day three with a handful of remaining roster needs and four picks in order to address them.
The Commanders enter Saturday with four draft picks, including two in the sixth round, while the absence of both a second and fourth round pick were due to the Laremy Tunsil trade last offseason.
Round 5: No. 147: Tennessee edge Joshua Josephs
With the first pick on day three, the Commanders drafted former Tennessee edge rusher Joshua Josephs.
The 6-foot-3, 242-pound edge rusher measured in at the scouting combine with 34.25 inch arms and ten inch hands while NFL.com compared him to Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jalyx Hunt.
Josephs is credited for his impressive NBA-caliber wingspan with room to grow in his long frame. He registered 22 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks across 48 games during his time with the Vols. In 2024, Joseph graded as one of the ten highest graded edge rushers in the country, per Pro Football Focus, while starting at LEO during his final two seasons.
He becomes the latest addition to the defense after general manager Adam Peters turned to Sonny Styles with the lone pick on day one of the NFL Draft, while the front office also signed Odafe Oweh, K'Lavon Chaisson, Leo Chenal and Charles Omenihu among others to upgrade a defense in dire need of reinforcements under new coordinator Daronte Jones.
Josephs was projected as a fourth round pick as the former Vol now arrives with a chance to become another weapon in the front seven with an 82 inch wingspan.
Whether Washington would turn to the offensive line was a question mark at this spot after both Sam Hecht and Parker Brailsford came off the board within three picks of Washington's selection.
Round 6: No. 187: Penn State RB Kaytron Allen
The Commanders have added to the running back room with Virginia native and former Penn State star running back Kaytron Allen headed to Washington.
Allen, a 5-foot-11, 217-pound running back, committed to Penn State where he played under position coach Mike Sellers, former Washington fullback, at IMG Academy. At State College, Allen was part of a 1-2 combo alongside Nick Singleton, yet it was Allen who dazzled as an upperclassman.
After amassing 1,769 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns during his first two seasons, Allen eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark in both 2024 and 2025 - including 1,303 yards and 6.2 yards per carry along with 15 touchdowns as a senior.
Allen may prove to be gem pick on day three.
Round 6: No. 209: Michigan State IOL Matt Gulbin
Washington has added depth at center after drafting former Wake Forest and Michigan State interior offensive lineman Matt Gulbin.
A 6-foot-3.5, 305 pound lineman, Gulpin spent the first four seasons of his career with Wake Forest where he played in 41 games and started 23 games in 2022 and 2023 at both left and right guard, along with center. He then transferred to Michigan State where he started 11 games at center and was named team captain before ending his college career as an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection.
Round 7: No. 223: Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis
The Commanders added depth to the quarterback room after drafting former Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. The Illinois native notched over 3,000 passing yards as s senior while tossing 38 touchdowns to 14 interceptions over his final two seasons.
He heads to Washington stockpiling a quarterback room led by Jayden Daniels in year three while Marcus Mariota re-signed this offseason.