The Washington Commanders are reportedly among the teams exploring a trade down in the 2026 NFL Draft as we look at five teams who either have been reportedly looking to move up, or fit as trade partners.
With now less than two weeks until the 2026 NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders were reportedly among the teams exploring a trade to move down in the first round. The rationale is clear given the front office has a pair of top-100 picks to work with, including a seventh overall pick that could have a lot of intrigue given. With that, we take a look at five teams who have either been reported as interested in moving up or are a logical trade partner for the Commanders.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The 15th overall pick could be the sweet spot for Washington to move back to while adding another top-100 pick. The Bucs have three top-100 picks - 15, 46, 77 - with needs at edge, linebacker and tight end. If someone like Sonny Styles is available, that might be an appealing option for the Bucs in light of Lavonte David retiring this offseason. Edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. could also be a candidate for the Bucs if they opt to trade up. It would mark an attractive chance for Washington not only add another top-100 pick, but stay within a range to snag an impact player at a position of need.
Cleveland Browns
Tom Pelissero of NFL Media noted the Browns could be a team who could explore a move with selections at sixth, 24th, 39th and 70th overall among the nine picks. Yet with a list of roster needs, how realistic Washington would be as a trade partner with little need or reason for either team to swap sixth and seventh picks, while the 24th overall pick may be too steep of a slide for the Commanders to be willing to say yes to. While a package including the 24th and 39th picks adds immediate value, it would also likely have to include future compensation, and for a Commanders team that needs to win now.
Kansas City Chiefs
With an extra first round pick thanks to the Trent McDuffie trade to Los Angeles, the Chiefs have capital to make a move with three top-50 picks, and with prospects who address needs sitting in Washington's range, they could make a move. What complicates a possible suitor with Washington is that Kansas City's first selection is the ninth overall pick. Yet if the Chiefs opt to go for a wide receiver with some outlets pointing to it as a top need in the draft, making a move to jump the New Orleans Saints, who have done their due diligence on wide receivers, could make sense.
Dallas Cowboys
The most unrealistic of the five mentioned teams, yet reported to be one of, if not the most, teams most likely to move up in the first round. Dallas enters the draft with three top-100 picks, including two inside the first 20 picks in the first round. Dallas has needs across its defense and there are expected to be several defenders available when it comes time for Washington to make the pick. Yet for Washington, the biggest question would be whether Adam Peters actually pulls the trigger on a trade with not just a divisional rival, but the franchise's biggest rival among them. If it did happen, even Dallas knows they'd have to overpay in draft capital for a divisional trade into the top ten to materialize.
New York Jets
Needs at wide receiver and edge, coupled with four picks inside the top-50, the Jets could opt for a second top ten selection to add to the wide receiver room opposite of Garrett Wilson. Daniel Jeremiah projected a trade with Washington, sending the seventh overall pick to the Jets in exchange for the 16th and 44th overall pick, along with a 2026 fourth round pick. It's hard to argue against the value of that, and similar to Tampa Bay, it would be within reach for the Commanders to still add an impact piece with the first pick. Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who Washington will host on a top-30 visit, could be in that range if a trade involving the 16th pick materializes.