With a handful of picks in the 2026 NFL Draft and a long list of needs, we take a look at three prospects through the week of Shrine Bowl practices into Saturday's game who fit some of the needs for the Washington Commanders.
With a week of practices leading into the Senior Bowl on Saturday, several prospects emerged as realistic candidates to address needs for the Washington Commanders.
TCU safety Bud Clark
Despite questions about size at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Clark cemented himself in coverage where he's drawn consistent buzz as one of the best safeties through the week. Clark finished with three tackles including two solo during the Senior Bowl, but his highlight of the week came in one-on-ones after coming down with a one-handed interception in coverage against NC State tight end Justin Joly.
At TCU, the sixth-year senior posted 35 pass deflections and 15 interceptions in 47 games over his final four seasons. For a Commanders secondary that struggled to create takeaways, Clark fits the mold of new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones.
Like Fields, Clark was named one of ten practice standouts through the week while ESPN's Mel Kiper listed Clark among two safeties just outside of his top ten positional draft rankings.
How realistic Clark materializes into is one to watch, though. With the buzz that pass rush is a primary focus for the defense this offseason, whether the Commanders pull the trigger at seven is realistic. Whether someone like David Bailey is available by the seven pick is also a question while others like Keldric Faulk fit the profile and Rueben Bain Jr. have been projected. But Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is also a top-ten prospect and someone in play who could add a much-needed playmaker to the secondary. But if the Commanders opt for a pass rusher early, Clark could materialize into a candidate who would upgrade the safety room.
Notre Dame WR Malachi Fields
Fields showcased his versatility as a 6-foot-4 receiver and materialized into arguably the biggest stock riser on offense through the week, capping it off with a strong showing on Saturday. His two receptions was tied for a team high with four others in the game also notching a pair of catches on Saturday, while Fields added 20 receiving yards including a two-point conversion. He showcased an impressive route tree through the week of practices with buzz growing that he could materialize into a day two prospect.
Starting his career at Virginia, Fields became a rotational receiver in his first year before missing all but one game in 2022 due to a foot injury. But he bounced back to cement himself among the best wide receivers in the ACC, posting consecutive seasons with at least 55 catches and 800 receiving yards along with five receiving touchdowns in each season. Fields materialized into a coveted transfer portal target before signing with Notre Dame, finishing with a team-leading five receiving touchdowns once again along with 630 receiving yards on 36 catches.
ESPN's Mel Kiper listed Fields among three wide receivers just outside of his top ten positional draft rankings while he was named one of ten standouts during the week of practice.
Washington CB Ephesians Prysock
The Huskies had a couple of defensive backs on the NFL radar with Tacario Davis also drawing buzz as one to watch early in his career, but Prysock, a 6-foot-4 cornerback, has drawn growing buzz as a stock riser. Prysock has been the one to draw buzz through the week of practices into Saturday's Shrine Bowl, finishing the game with a pair of pass deflections and two total tackles including one solo. He's been a standout in coverage whether on Saturday or in one-on-ones, ending the week named to the All Senior Bowl Defense after contributing in the American team's win.
Prysock began his college career at Arizona, like Davis, before transferring to Washington to follow head coach Jedd Fisch in 2024. At Arizona, he played in 23 games over two seasons with 16 starts before earning honorable mention All-Pac 12 in 2023. He went on to start all 26 games for the Huskies his final two seasons, finishing with 14 pass deflections and an interception before ending his college career as an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection.
Washington will need to revamp its cornerback room with Marshon Lattimore an obvious roster cut candidate following his arrest and poor play since his midseason acquisition in 2024 and with Prysock a possible early day three candidate, the Commanders have the draft capital to stay in position of Prysock.