Grades for GM Adam Peters, Washington Commanders 2026 Draft Class

The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh is officially in the books and we now have a third season to reflect on an Adam Peters draft board with the Commanders. This go-around, it appears that Peters and Quinn had things break just right for them, allowing the "best players available" to fall into their laps without overthinking it.

The crown jewel of the class is linebacker Sonny Styles, who was projected to be a top-five pick and was a media darling after an explosive, historic NFL Combine. This surplus in value was a trend we saw throughout the weekend, as Washington received national praise for snagging players much later than their projections. In fact, Warren Sharp noted that Washington was the team with the most value earned versus consensus.

While the value is undeniable, did they hit the mark in team construction for next season? Let’s dive into the individual grades for the newest members of the Burgundy and Gold.

The Metrics: When the New York Giants selected Arvell Reese at No. 5, it felt like a foregone conclusion that Washington would sprint to the podium for Styles. Not only is he a physical specimen (evidenced by a near-perfect 9.99 RAS score), but he possesses the leadership and communication traits to "quarterback the defense." I envision Styles as the Jayden Daniels of the defense—a blue-chip athlete who is cerebral and processes the game quickly.

He finished 2025 with an 88.0 overall PFF grade and, most impressively, was the only defensive player with 50+ tackles charged with zero missed tackles all season, earning a nation-leading 92.2 tackling grade.

The Fit: In an NFC East that features mobile QBs like Jalen Hurts, Jaxson Dart, and Dak Prescott, Styles offers a spy who can effectively erase the threat of a QB scramble. He is currently a more polished coverage linebacker than a run-stopper, which is a welcome surprise in DC. His 87.4 coverage grade means he can actually stay on the field against elite flex TEs. Expect him to be a Day 1 starter at Mike who rarely leaves the field.

The Metrics: Williams was a Third-Team All-ACC selection who finished his career 4th in Clemson history for receptions. He’s a high-efficiency weapon who averaged over 10 yards per touch and finished with a career-high 164 all-purpose yards in a single game against Pitt.

The Fit: Washington has been hunting for a true running mate for Terry McLaurin since 2020. While the front office previously experimented with names like Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson, those additions often felt more like gadget pieces than the high-volume WR2 the offense requires. Williams, however, is a pure "separator" who wins quickly in the passing game, providing a reliable safety valve for David Blough or Jayden Daniels. Though he predominantly operated out of the slot at Clemson, his technical route-running suggests he has the tools to win on the outside as well. Analysts have compared his game to the savvy reliability of Sterling Shepard or Jalen Nailor, but Washington is banking on him evolving into a weapon like Amon-Ra St. Brown within an offensive scheme that heavily mirrors Ben Johnson's Detroit system.  

The Metrics:  Josephs is a "traits" pick known for an incredible "get-off." The story here is length: he boasts a massive 82-inch wingspan—a reach that rivals NBA small forwards. He finished 2025 with a 90.0 PFF pass-rush grade, ranking 3rd in the SEC.  

Fit:  Josephs was added to bolster a rotation that already includes Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson. Josephs is known for an incredible first step, though he currently lacks a refined pass-rush plan. Tennessee used him in a heavy rotation to keep him fresh, and I anticipate a similar developmental path in DC. While his playing time might be limited early, his upside as a situational pass rusher is undeniable.  

The Metrics:  He ends his career as Penn State’s all-time leading rusher (4,180 yards) and was a 2025 Third-Team All-American.

The Fit:   Outside of Styles, this is my favorite pick. Allen is a high-volume "hammer" who provides the physical "thunder" this backfield needs. He is tailor-made for between-the-tackles running and short-yardage situations, boasting a "one-cut and up" mentality. I see him playing a role similar to David Montgomery or Chicago's Kyle Monangai (who was also a productive 6th-round find last year)—a power back who can put opposing defenses to bed in the 4th quarter.  

The Metrics: Gulbin was PFF’s 2nd-ranked Center (82.6 grade) and 5th-ranked in pass-blocking (87.8). He is uniquely versatile, being the only center in the nation to make double-digit starts at three different positions (Center and both Guard spots).

The Fit:  Finding a top-2 graded center in the 6th round is a steal. After the release of Tyler Biadasz and missing out on Tyler Linderbaum in free agency, Gulbin feels like a blessing in disguise. He brings a 99.1 pass-block efficiency rating and immediate high-end depth. While Nick Allegretti likely starts due to experience, Gulbin is the long-term plan and may get some snaps before the end of the season. 

The Metrics: Earned an 88.8 PFF grade (27th in FBS). He’s a vertical hunter, posting 26 "Big-Time Throws" with an average depth of target of 11.2 yards.

The Fit: You can never get upset about adding a "Training Camp Arm" to develop. Kaliakmanis had significant pre-draft interest, taking top-30 visits with the Bengals and Raiders. He’ll compete with Sam Hartman for a developmental spot. I’m not entirely convinced he was the better pick over Garrett Nussmeier, but his arm talent (87.6 passing grade) is worth the 7th-round flyer to provide a high-character study partner for Daniels.

The Commanders did an excellent job of maximizing their limited draft capital. Although the team lacked high-value picks due to the Laremy Tunsil trade, Adam Peters still found a way to elevate the roster’s floor and bolster key positions of need. 

Sonny Styles should be an immediate star in D.C., with a trajectory that suggests he’ll be a defensive cornerstone in the NFC East for years to come. Beyond Styles, both Antonio Williams and Kaytron Allen have clear pathways to early contributions. Their development will ultimately determine if this class offers deep roster substance or if it is simply "Sonny and the Gang." While Matt Gulbin and Joshua Josephs are more long-term projections, Gulbin’s versatility gives him a significantly shorter path to the field.

Altogether, the Commanders put together a successful offseason, with a balanced free agency and a disciplined draft. The roster finally appears to have legitimate depth, and now the onus is on the coaching staff to develop these traits into production on Sundays.