With the NFL Combine officially set to kick off this week, we take a look at what the latest mock drafts are saying about what the Washington Commanders will do in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft
The week of the NFL Combine has officially arrived with both general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn expected to meet with the media this week, giving the coaching staff and front office to get their eyes on the next wave of talent to head to the NFL.
2026 may be as critical as 2024, though a much different situation considering the new staff back then had to evaluate several possible quarterbacks that were slated to go in the first round before settling on Jayden Daniels as the next face of the franchise. Fast forward two years, and Washington now enters combine week with a need to identify a playmaker, whether offense or defense.
The problem is the long list of positional needs, coupled with prospects possibly going higher than anticipated, has turned into seemingly a different player projected by various outlets. Days away from the first set of workouts, that remains the case with six different outlets pointing to six different players once again.
Blake Brockermeyers, CBS Sports: Texas Tech edge David Bailey
Maybe the most popular pick, Bailey’s biggest question will be whether he remains available with the seventh overall pick. After general manager Adam Peters made clear getting younger and adding another pass rusher is a focus this offseason, Bailey steps in as the candidate to fill both those question marks with a chance to add a difference maker to the front seven.
Mike Renner, CBS Sports: Ohio State WR Carnell Tate
What’s become a growing question among the fanbase, Renner projects Washington to turn to the offense where Tate fills Deebo Samuel’s vacancy in the wide receiver room. It would also give Washington a second Buckeye receiver ironically enough, but the big bodied receiver would be able to add a much-needed elite weapon for Jayden Daniels. How Washington attacks free agency could make a Tate selection a reality.
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Clemson edge TJ Parker
Parker has drawn a long list of projections with some pointing to him as a possible second round pick, but after an underwhelming 2025 season, Parker raised his draft stock after dazzling at the Senior Bowl. Parker posted 16 sacks, 29 TFLs and six forced fumbles over his last two seasons at Clemson.
USA Today: Miami (FL) edge Rueben Bain Jr.
Maybe the most puzzling prospect among the top-ten candidates is Bain, who has been viewed as an interior defensive line prospect by many. That could complicate his fit and need in Washington, though he’d add much needed ability to wreck havoc in the trenches, a sore spot of inconsistency in 2025.
NFL Media: Ohio State LB/ege Arvell Reese
Rated the best prospect in the class regardless by position in an ESPN poll among league execs, Reese has drawn buzz as the perfect non-Caleb Downs prospect for Washington where he adds elite twitch and instincts to the front seven. Reese has been projected as an edge prospect in the NFL and could be a versatile piece in a Daronte Jones defense.
PFF: Ohio State LB Sonny Styles
The third Buckeye projected to Washington, the Commanders will also have a chance to upgrade the linebacker room with Bobby Wagner likely done with the team and unproven depth behind him. Styles could fill that hole as an every down linebacker with great size and instincts inside the box, giving the front seven the playmaker it needs.