Experts are split on what position and who to draft with the Washington Commanders in line for the seventh pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
Mock draft season has only started to pick up with the NFL Combine set for Indianapolis next month and the 2026 NFL Draft in April as general Manager Adam Peters looks to spearhead the roster turnaround for the Washington Commanders.
While cap space allows the front office a chance to be aggressive in free agency, the other question is what the Commanders do during April's draft. Part of the equation is the two selections across the first two days of the draft, questioning whether a trade back in the first round is on the table. Early reports from experts around the league have cautioned early on that finding a trade partner willing to move up could be the bigger question in that scenario, but with Washington preparing for its second top-ten selection in three years, it's another chance to add a desperately needed playmaker to the roster. Question is, what side of the ball will Washington go? NFL.com released three mock drafts this week with one expert still leaning toward offense in Washington.
Finding a complementary receiver opposite of Terry McLaurin remains a continued focus if Deebo Samuel departs this offseason, which appears more likely than not in the early stages of the offseason. Using the top pick on a wideout was a talking point during the 2025 season with Carnell Tate out of Ohio State a frequent target, but Bucky Brooks went a different direction with wide receiver Jordyn Tyson out of Arizona State the Commanders' projected selection.
"This silky-smooth pass catcher would be a sensible selection for the Commanders," Brooks said after noting hit fit as Deebo's replacement. "Tyson is a route-running specialist who gives off Jaxon Smith-Njigba vibes on the perimeter."
That also marked the lone selection for the Commanders with the other two mock drafts sticking on defense.
Daniel Jeremiah projected Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, arguably the most intriguing top-ten draft pick candidate, as the player to take over for veteran Bobby Wagner, who is among the 30 players headed to free agency this offseason.
"Styles reminds me of Fred Warner, who was drafted by the 49ers when current Commanders GM Adam Peters was an executive in San Francisco’s front office. Keep in mind that Bobby Wagner is 35 and headed for free agency."
Eric Edholm projected the Commanders to snag the more popular draft target among fans: David Bailey, the star edge rusher out of Texas Tech. "Washington didn’t do enough to address its defensive needs last year, especially its dormant pass rush," Edholm wrote. "Bailey isn’t a complete edge just yet, but his explosive get-off and pass-rush juice would help upgrade the Commanders' front quickly."
Part of the equation for Washington is whether Bailey remains available by the time the seventh pick arrives, posing a question as to whether other edge rushers like Keldric Faulk out of Auburn are targets for the front office. Adam Peters made clear in his end of season press conference that in addition to getting younger, addressing the pass rush is a focus this offseason while the expectation is that Washington also hires a coach to specifically address the front seven.
"I think certainly another pass rusher would be something we'd definitely be looking for," Peters said. "Whether that's the draft agency, I think we have a lot of good options in both of those areas.”