Take a deep dive into 3 mid-round draft prospects that could fill some of the Commanders' needs
The Washington Commanders enter the 2026 NFL Draft with a pair of top-100 selections and four day three selections to give general manager Adam Peters and his staff a chance to add youth to key positions. While all the debate has centered on who Washington should target with their first pick, we dive into three targets for the Commanders on day two of the NFL Draft.
CB Daylen Everette | Georgia
6'1" | 190 lbs | 4.34 40 (projected) | Draft Projection: Rounds 2–4
Profile: Everette is a five-star pedigree player who finally delivered on that promise. A multi-year starter at Georgia, his 2024 SEC Championship Game MVP performance — two interceptions against Texas in one game, the first time a Bulldog has ever done that in a conference title game — was the moment his stock crystallized. He returned for a fifth season and posted 10 pass breakups and another interception in 2025. At 6'1" with elite straight-line speed and length to disrupt at the catch point, he's got the tools. The questions are about consistency and zone processing.
Strengths: Elite athletic profile — sub 4.4 speed that provides legitimate recovery ability on mistakes. Excels in press-man, disrupts receivers at the line, and has real ball skills (four career INTs). Rises in big moments and loves competing against WR1s.
Weaknesses: Zone coverage instincts remain raw. His eyes linger too long off the QB in off-coverage, and he struggles to read route combinations. Allowed nearly 60% career completion rate and gave up three TDs in each starting season. Consistency has been a core issue throughout his tenure at Georgia.
Comp & Fit: Tariq Woolen. A scheme-specific athlete who projects best in Cover 3 or quarters-heavy systems where his press ability and speed are assets rather than liabilities. Ideal for teams like those in Washington, Seattle, or San Francisco that run two-high shells.
S Bud Clark | TCU
6'2" | 190 lbs | 11 career INTs | 3x Team Captain | Draft Projection: Rounds 3–5
Profile: Six years, 61 games, 11 career interceptions, three-time team captain. Clark is one of the most decorated and experienced defensive backs in this class, and one of the most underappreciated. He played nickel, box safety, and deep safety for TCU — executing post-snap coverage rotations with the ease of someone who's already lived through every offensive concept college football can throw at him. His 2025 was his best: four interceptions, four pass breakups, and a Senior Bowl that reinforced what the tape already said.
Strengths: Elite ball-hawking instincts — he baits QBs into throws and drives on routes with decisive timing. Long arms allow him to be disruptive at the catch point without drawing penalties. Versatile alignment experience across the secondary translates directly to NFL sub-package value.
Weaknesses: Thin frame (190 lbs) limits his ability to defeat blocks in the run game. Aggressive style can leave him out of position when QBs manipulate his eyes with play-action. Not suited for island-man coverage against tight ends.
Comp & Fit: Budda Baker in terms of role and IQ — someone who impacts games through anticipation rather than athleticism. Thrives in two-high, zone-coverage defenses where he can roam and react. Ideal for teams like Washington, Tampa Bay, or Kansas City.
DE Derrick Moore | Michigan
6'3" | 254 lbs | 10 sacks (2025) | Draft Projection: Rounds 2–4
Profile: A 10-sack, 10.5-TFL senior season at Michigan, and Moore still isn't getting the national attention he deserves — a byproduct of this class's edge depth. The Baltimore native is the latest in Michigan's pipeline of NFL-caliber edge talent and brings a polished, physically mature profile. He was consistent in a program known for producing pro-ready defenders.
Strengths: Power-first rusher who wins with leverage, hand placement, and the ability to convert speed to power at the point of attack. His bull-rush is NFL-ready — he walks tackles back into pockets and combines it with a long arm to create clean pressure lanes. Sets the edge reliably in the run game and can play from both a 2 and 3-point stance on either side.
Weaknesses: Limited first-step explosion and stiff hips reduce his ability to bend around the edge cleanly. Somewhat predictable, heavy reliance on bull-rush/long-arm makes him easier to scheme against at the next level. Michigan subbed him out frequently in run situations, which may turn into a legitimate NFL concern.
Comp & Fit: Derick Hall. A high-floor, power-based rotational edge who won't wow anyone but will be exactly what a defensive coordinator draws up. Best in an odd-front defense — 3-4 or 4-3 under — as a 5-technique or rush linebacker. Washington, Baltimore, and Green Bay are natural fits.
Bottom Line
Everette is the boom-or-bust bet. Clark is the underrated, safer veteran player. Moore is the dependable edge anchor who needs to develop in the run game. None of them will headline a draft board — but the teams that find the right fits here could be getting starters at discount prices.