A pair of Notre Dame teammates were projected to be drafted by the Washington Commanders in another seven round mock draft released earlier this week
Which non-Love pick do you have the strongest opinion about?
With the 2026 NFL Draft inching closer, the Washington Commanders have a chance to address several positions ahead of the 2026 season. Days after ESPN released their seven round mock draft, CBS Sports did the same after projecting a pair of teammates in DC to address positions of needs.
Round 1, pick 7: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Maybe the most debated prospect of anyone in the upcoming NFL Draft, CBS Sports pulled the trigger on the Commanders adding a feature back to the backfield in 2026. The reason is clear - despite a current group that could grow from a committee approach, Love would enter as a home-run hitter in an offense expected to be built around the run game. While center is a question mark, Washington has reason to be confident in the offensive line with the expectation that quarterback Jayden Daniels needs to be insulated with upgraded weapons on offense. Love fits that where the former Heisman candidate and Doak Walker Award winner was among the most explosive backs in the country in 2025. ESPN ranks Love as the top running back prospect and fourth best overall.
Round 3, pick 71: Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
The question is if Washington doesn't take a wide receiver in the first round, is there a serviceable option on day two? Fields fits exactly that, first drawing buzz as a standout during the Senior Bowl as the 6-foot-4 Virginia transfer became a top option in the Irish passing attack. Fields has posted five receiving touchdowns in each of the last three seasons along with over 800 receiving yards in each of his last two seasons with Virginia. As a big-bodied receiver, he's add a new element to the room with a chance to start opposite of Terry McLaurin. ESPN, who also projected the Commanders to draft him, ranks Fields as the 11th best wide receiver prospect in the NFL Draft.
Round 5, pick 147: Aiden Fisher, LB, Indiana
Maybe the questionable pick given the Commanders could turn to a center here, but they'd add a dependable and instinctive linebacker in Fisher. The Virginia native finished just shy of his third consecutive season with 100 tackles, though he did set a career-high 4.5 sacks during Indiana's championship season as a key piece of the defense. Fisher transferred from James Madison to Indiana with Curt Cignetti where he quickly emerged as one of the best linebackers in the Big Ten. ESPN ranks Fisher as the 18th best linebacker prospect in the NFL Draft.
Round 6, pick 187: Andre Fuller, CB, Toledo
A need to address the cornerback room, the Commanders were projected to snag a former first team All-MAC selection on day three. Fuller finished fourth in the conference with 11 pass deflections in 2025 while finishing fourth on the team with 49 tackles in 2025, an encouraging performance after missing the 2024 season due to injury. With head coach Dan Quinn noting that Amik Robertson and Mike Sainristil could be the outside cornerbacks in 2026, Fuller could provide depth at one of the few remaining positions of need.
Round 6, pick 209: Dae'Quan Wright, TE, Ole Miss
After steadily improving his production each season, the Virginia Tech transfer tallied over 1,000 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 66 catches during his two seasons with Ole Miss. Wright would add depth to the receiving depth in the room behind Chig Okonkwo while at 6-foot-4, 246-pounds, is a capable blocker to maximize his potential role. Some has speculated that he could climb into day two territory while ESPN ranks Wright as the 18th best tight end prospect.
Round 7, pick 223: Jalen Huskey, S, Maryland
The local product, Quince Orchard graduate who closed out his college career at Maryland, Huskey was previously mocked to land in Washington in the sixth round where he'd add depth to the safety room behind Nick Cross. A plus defender against the run, Huskey showed off his ball skills in 2025 with four interceptions including three in as many games, proving himself as an NFL caliber defensive back before ending his career as an All Big Ten selection. Huskey began his college career at cornerback where he became an All-MAC selection in 2023 before switching to safety midway through the 2024 season, while Maryland head coach Mike Locksley pointed to his experience as a nickel corner as reason why he's a versatile NFL defensive back prospect.