ESPN projects the Washington Commanders to address the secondary with their first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
With the NFL owners meeting underway this week and the 2026 NFL Draft inching closer, ESPN released its updated seven-round mock draft on Monday morning with a handful of intriguing projections for the Washington Commanders.
Round 1: LSU CB Mansoor Delane
While the ongoing debate is what route the Commanders should go with the seventh overall pick, ESPN's mock draft painted a more obvious picture for the direction Washington should go. With Arvell Reese projected to the New York Jets, Jeremiyah Love projected to land in Tennessee and Carnell Tate to the Cleveland Browns, ESPN pointed to Delane as the pick for Washington where he'd address the void as CB1. The DMV native who starred at Archbishop Spalding before becoming one of the best cornerbacks in the country at Virginia Tech then LSU, Delane has traits that adds long-term confidence to the room after adding veteran experience through free agency. The Commanders have already reportedly met with Delane during the draft process.
Round 3: Notre Dame WR Malachi Fields
The question is if Washington doesn't address the wide receiver room with its first pick, can they find serviceable options on day two? Fields fits that mold as a 6-foot-4 outside threat after watching his stock soar as a senior transfer at Notre Dame then the Shrine Bowl. Fields emerged as a draft prospect who fits the Commanders' needs after finishing with 630 yards and five touchdowns on 36 catches in 2025.
Round 5: Arkansas QB Taylen Green
After three seasons at Boise State and two as a starter, Green recorded his first 3,000 yard passing season in year one at Arkansas after completing just over 60% of his passes, adding 15 touchdowns against nine interceptions. He followed it up by completing nearly the exact same percentage of passes while throwing for 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, but the big-bodied quarterback also adds a dual threat option where he's notched at least eight rushing touchdowns in each of his last four seasons. Washington addressed the short-term depth after re-signing veteran Marcus Mariota this offseason, but the day three selection of Green would add to the long-term outlook. Whether quarterback is the right move at a position of need is the question mark.
Round 6: Michigan TE Marlin Klein
After three seasons at Michigan, Klein ranks as the 17th-best draft eligible tight end this year where he's showcased himself as a capable receiving and blocking tight end. 24 of his 38 catches as a Wolverine came in 2025 with his first and only college touchdown coming in the season opener. He'd add depth at the position with Chig Okonkwo now leading the unit and Ben Sinnott and John Bates in 2026, though another like Matthew Hibner out of SMU or Lake McRee out of USC could also be as good of a pick for Washington.
Round 6: Maryland safety Jalen Huskey
Another local talent, Washington has already signed one former Maryland safety in Nick Cross as Huskey offers a similar skillset. Huskey arrived at Maryland after becoming an All-MAC selection as a cornerback, but he made the switch to safety midway through the 2024 season where he adjusted. Then he thrived in 2025, quickly developing buzz as a top NFL Draft prospect on the roster where he materialized into an All-Big Ten selection. Good ball skills and a plus defender in run support, Huskey would be the third former Terp to join the organization this offseason alongside Cross and tight end Chig Okonkwo.
Round 7: Ohio State RB CJ Donaldson
In a peculiar projection, the Commanders were slotted to take the former Buckeye running back, who rushed for just over 360 rushing yards on 96 attempts as a senior. Donaldson, a Miami native, also added ten rushing touchdowns, a benchmark he's eclipsed in each of the last three seasons.