The NFL Scouting Combine is over, but we’ve still got Pro Days for players to show out for teams on their home turf. There will also be Top 30 visits, local prospect visits, and medical rechecks as teams finalize their big boards before next month’s draft in Pittsburgh. Free agency kicked off last week, and we have seen some big moves across the league as teams look to improve their team, and fill their needs before they add young talented players through the draft.
This roundup has 54 mock drafts
and 19 of them feature pass rushers. Miami’s Reuben Bain took over the top spot for Commanders mocks after David Bailey’s rise following the Combine. That continued after free agency with Bain getting the second-most selections of any player this week(9). The Commanders added pass rushers in free agency(Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson, Charles Omenihu) and they re-signed veterans Deatrich Wise and Drake Jackson for depth. Bailey and Ohio State’s Arvell Reese are still being mocked to Washington, but the consensus is they will both be off the board at No. 7.
Caleb Downs has edged out Rueben Bain, getting mocked to Washington one more time than the Miami pass rusher. The Commanders signed a cornerback(Amik Robertson) and safety(Nick Cross) in free agency, but there are still improvements to be made at both positions. Downs is the best safety in this year’s draft, and some people have him rated as the best player overall. He is the only defensive back listed this week but Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy is the pick after a trade down in one mock. LSU’s Mansoor Delane is off the list for the first time, but he could be another target in a trade down.
The last big name on defense for the Commanders is Ohio State LB Sonny Styles who had one of the best Combine performances in recent memory. He’s going to be a top 10 pick, but will he go top 5? He goes to Washington in 6 different mocks, and could be the pick next month.
The Jeremiyah Love hype train has landed in Washington, and he’s now the second-most popular pick for the Commanders. The Notre Dame running back could be off the board before No. 7, and one mocker has Washington trading all the way up to No. 3 in a move that would get a…reaction. A reaction that everyone reading this can easily predict!
General manager Adam Peters put a heavy emphasis on fixing the defense in the first waves of free agency. He also tried to add two of the top options avaliable(Pierce, Doubs), but had to settle for the WR4/5 market with a pair of veterans(Brown, Jefferson). That has heated up the WR at #7 talk, and weve got a new option this week. Carnell Tate has been the top dog, but Makai Lemon gets added to the mix, and he has a lot of supporters.
Position selections:
EDGE/OLB – 19
S – 10
LB – 6
RB – 9
WR – 8
Trade down – 1
Trade up – 1
Where will Washington pick, and who/what position should they take next year?
Mock Draft Sim powered by FanSpeak
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
CBS Sports (Edwards)
The Titans and Commanders picks are closely linked. If Sonny Styles had been available with Rueben Bain Jr. off the board, he would’ve been the choice. Given the opposite played out in this scenario, Washington adds Bain to a group that includes Dorance Armstrong, Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson. Jeremiyah Love would’ve been a consideration for this team as well.
Round 3: Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
USA Today (Middlehurst-Schwartz)
The Commanders made a significant commitment to jump-starting their pass rush by securing Odafe Oweh on a four-year, $100 million deal. But even after adding the K’Lavon Chaisson deal on top of that, Washingon might not be inclined to stop there. Dan Quinn might not have the kind of qualms with Bain’s arm length that others possess, as he’ll take a difference-maker off the edge in whatever form one might come in.
Pro Football Focus (Chadwick)
No Commanders edge rusher earned even a top-55 PFF overall grade this past season. Washington generally needs to inject serious talent into its defense after finishing in the bottom six in PFF grade in each of the past three seasons. Bain has short arms (30 7/8 inches), but he led the nation with 83 pressures this year and his 92.8 PFF overall grade ranked third.
Round 3: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
Pro Football Network (Infante)
Let’s face it: 2025 was a disaster of a season for the Washington Commanders. Injuries flooded their roster, but they also exposed their lack of developing young talent outside of injured quarterback Jayden Daniels. They have a serious chance in the 2026 NFL Draft to infuse their roster with much-needed youth.
Rueben Bain Jr. is a powerful edge rusher who accelerates quickly off the line of scrimmage.
Bain Jr. maintains a low center of gravity at the point of attack, he converts speed to power well, and he has a deep arsenal of moves he can string together to shed blocks. He’s arguably been the best pure edge rusher in college football this year and is easily one of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Round 3: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
Through two seasons at USC before his transfer to Georgia, Zachariah Branch has been one of the most dynamic receivers in football. He’s undersized but thrives in space with elite athleticism and ball-carrier vision that shines when he returns kicks and punts.
Round 5: Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame
Round 6: DJ Campbell, OG, Texas
Round 6: Albert Regis, DT, Texas A&M
Round 7: Vinny Anthony II, WR, Wisconsin
Fantasy Life (Freedman)
Rueben Bain started all three years in college, and last season he won the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top DE and earned consensus first-team All-American recognition.
His lack of height (6-foot-2) and arm length (30.88-inch arms) are issues, but his power as a rusher speaks for itself.
The Commanders need a DL upgrade.
Fantasy Life (Nystrom)
The Commanders have needed a two-way EDGE for years now, so they’re going to particularly appreciate Bain’s game. A sawed-off power end, Bain makes up for a lack of length with devastating power and enough twitch to ensure you can’t just sit back on his heat. New Commanders DC Daronte Jones is a Brian Flores disciple—the central tenant of the defensive pass-game philosophy is to force the ball out of the quarterback’s hand quickly. It is a system that fetishizes havoc-wreaking edge defenders, and Bain is certainly that.
Cleveland.com (Bielik)
Despite Bain’s short arms, I’m not ready to keep him out of the top 10. The Commanders need an impact pass rusher, and Bain has the talent and production to possibly be that type of player.
Daft on Draft (Kinnan)
The arm length is going to continue to be a topic of conversation for Miami pass rusher Rueben Bain. However, Bain can win condensed inside and on the edge, knows how to play within his frame, and the pass rush moves he opts to hit are moves that do not require long levers.
As Washington comes on the clock here, head coach Dan Quinn needs to add juice off the edge of his defense. Bain is a Quinn-style player as well. This is a strong team/scheme fit for Bain.
Draft Countdown (Menendez)
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas
CBS Sports (Podell)
The Commanders signed former Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal in order to feel like they don’t have to reach for a non-premium position in the top 10 of this draft. That signing will empower them to select college football’s 2025 sacks leader in Texas Tech’s David Bailey. Pairing him with free agent acquisition Odafe Oweh should be a lot of fun.
Walter Football (Campbell)
Washington needs some edge rush youth. Bailey would be a great fit for Dan Quinn.
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Bailey is a fast edge rusher with serious speed off the ball and the ability to bend around the corner. In 2025, he had 14.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three passes batted, and 52 tackles. In 2024, he recorded 31 tackles with seven sacks and five forced fumbles with Stanford. Bailey has natural quarterback hunting ability and could be a riser in the pre-draft workouts.
Round 3: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
Washington could use more receiving weapons for Jayden Daniels.
Williams had 55 receptions for 604 yards and four touchdowns. Williams flashed playmaking ability for the Tigers in 2024 with 75 catches for 904 yards and 11 touchdowns. Williams (5-11, 190) has enough size and some natural talent as a route-runner.Round 5: Michael Taaffe, S, Texas
Washington adds some safety depth and competition.
Draft Network (Sanchez)
The Washington Commanders have made a few moves in free agency, with their biggest splash being the signing of edge rusher Odafe Oweh. This brings into question whether the Commanders still have to draft an edge rusher. I believe they should. The Commanders need a full revamp of the edge rush position, so in this spot, the Commanders go after edge rusher David Bailey. Now the Commanders have a formidable one-two punch at the edge rusher position, which is something they haven’t had in a while.
NFL Trade Rumors (Woodie)
Washington is probably hoping for one of Love or Styles to fall to them, but I think that’s unlikely at this point. Instead, they pivot to Bailey, maybe the best pure pass rusher in this class. His speed around the edge is game-breaking and he puts a ton of pressure on the opposing tackle to keep up with him. That opens Bailey’s counters and other tricks — there are few players who can match his skill at getting quarterbacks on the ground. He’s a solid run defender, too.
Bleacher Nation (Flowers)
Bailey brings burst, flexibility, and pass-rush juice. He fits perfectly as a modern edge defender in a defense that needs more disruption up front.
Bleacher Nation (Rooney)
I think Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is the best player in the draft still at this point, but if an EDGE with as high a ceiling as David Bailey is sitting there, I think Washington has to take him. However, if their choice is between Bailey or Downs, I don’t think there is a wrong choice.
Tankathon
Arvell Reese, OLB, Ohio State
NFL.com (Brooks/Jeremiah)
Fox Sports (Brooks)
Given head coach Dan Quinn’s previous work with Micah Parsons, the Commanders are more than capable of unlocking Reese’s talents as a disruptive defender. As an explosive playmaker with hybrid potential, the Ohio State star would energize the Commanders’ lineup as a versatile weapon who can impact the game at the line of scrimmage or on the fringes of the box.
A to Z Sports (Crabbs)
Dan Quinn just asked me to pinch him. The man who had all that success with Micah Parsons gets his hands on a highly athletic tweener who can play off the ball or rush the passer in this scenario. The Commanders spent in free agency to add K’Lavon Chaisson, Charles Omenihu, and Odafe Oweh to their pass rush group but they don’t have THIS player type on the roster.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
The Score (Wilkins)
The Commanders have done a nice job of adding young talent on defense in free agency. Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson bring some much-needed pass-rush juice off the edge, Leo Chenal is a versatile piece at linebacker, and Nick Cross is a proven starter on the back end. Downs, arguably the best player in the entire class, would be the cherry on top of a potentially transformative offseason for this unit.
Buccaneers.com (Dix)
The Commanders are in need of another high football IQ defender with the potential departure of Bobby Wagner. Caleb Downs has the versatility to line up as a big nickel in the slot or as a box safety with physicality near the line of scrimmage. Downs has twitchy change-of-direction skills and is adept at sifting through misdirection. He acts fast from zone, mitigating YAC threats in the short-to-intermediate area. Downs could become a do-it-all safety in Washington’s defense, bringing additional juice.
Pro Football Network (Elijah)
Despite adding Nick Cross and Amik Robertson in free agency, the Washington Commanders still enter the 2026 season with plenty of questions in the secondary. That uncertainty could lead Washington to target one of the most highly regarded defenders in the draft, Caleb Downs.
Downs is widely viewed as the top defensive back prospect in the class and, by some evaluations, the best defensive player available. He thrives near the line of scrimmage, showing elite instincts, quick play recognition, and dependable tackling in space. If selected, he could make an immediate impact while quickly establishing himself as the Commanders’ most complete and reliable defensive back.
Round 3: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
Pro Football Network (Swaim)
I’m not a doctor, so I’m not sure what to make of Caleb Downs’ potential knee issues in relation to his draft status.
If he’s ready for Week 1, though, I’d worry about his knee in 2032. At present, Downs is one of the top five football players in the draft with an outstanding football IQ, seemingly unlimited range, and underrated ball-carrying and ball-handling skills as a former punt returner at Ohio State.
I see a list of seven names that stand out in this draft relative to all others, and Downs’ injury concerns can only push him so far down the board — especially when the Washington Commanders need safety help.
Round 3: Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
Washington’s down season might have been set in stone the moment they traded Brian Robinson. The Commanders’ running back room became an ugly, three-headed committee without a clear answer. Mike Washington Jr. has emerged as a clear answer for the second-best running back in the class, breathing extremely rarified air as a 220-plus-pound tailback that ran a 40-yard dash in the 4.3s.
New York Post (Serby)
The pass rush has been upgraded, and now this versatile, playmaking partner for newly signed S Nick Cross.
NJ.com (Steele)
Downs, a 6-0, 206-pound safety, boasts elite instincts and triggers downhill with lightning-quickness. He’s also an excellent open-field tackler and displays great range.
NFL Spin Zone (Bedinger)
Simply put, Caleb Downs has been unanimously considered one of the best and safest picks in this draft class for a full year at this point. The only reason why he might fall on draft night is because of the way the NFL views the safety position in terms of overall value, but it also only takes one team to love a prospect this much.
Downs is a top-tier talent who can play anywhere in a defense. He’s going to bring a presense immediately and will be able to pick up any defensive scheme with ease.
The Commanders need to continue adding on that side of the ball and Dan Quinn is one of those coaches who loves the safety position more than most.
Round 3: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
The Commanders could be in the market for 1st-round receivers in this year’s draft, and it wouldn’t shock me to see this position addressed yet in free agency somehow.
They brought back a couple of guys like Treylon Burks, Dyami Brown, and even added Chig Okonkwo at the tight end position. He’ll be a major factor in the passing game. But last season showed us all that the Commanders need more depth at receiver, and perhaps some options to build around going forward.
Antonio Williams has the type of ability after the catch that will really appeal to Adam Peters and his experience at Clemson will be a huge asset in his favor as well.
NFL Mocks (Basile-vaughan)
Another Ohio State star goes off the board at No. 7. The Commanders get their game-changing safety in Caleb Downs at this spot. After releasing cornerback Marshon Lattimore, the Commanders are looking to reshape their secondary and Downs is a great building block. Not only is he a playmaking defender, he also has the versatility to play at the corner position.
Fantasy Pros (Janvrin)
I’d typically lean toward Rueben Bain Jr. or David Bailey, but after signing K’Lavon Chaisson and Odafe Oweh, they can stand to wait a bit on edge rushers.
Instead, they get perhaps the best overall defensive player, just one who is at a position with “less” value.
Bears Wire (Parise)
Caleb Downs may be the best player in the draft, but safeties don’t get drafted that high usually. For the Washington Commanders, he’d be perfect as they attempt a comeback year.
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Draft Network (Eisner)
Sonny Styles is the kind of dynamic player the Commanders desperately need on the second level. He offers a rare combination of energy, versatility, and pass-rush ability. The fact that he’s already excelled as the green dot for Ohio State proves he has the leadership and high football IQ to be an instant starter and the commander of the Washington defense. Styles wowed with his measurables and athleticism at the NFL Combine and can do the same at Northwest Stadium.
Round 3: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
Getting a live look at Ted Hurst at the Panini Senior Bowl cemented his status as a day-two prospect. At nearly 6-foot-4 and 206 pounds, he pairs prototype size with unexpected short-area agility. He operates as a refined route-runner, boasting the massive catch radius and contested-catch reliability you covet in a bigger target. He’s not a burner and needs to work on playing to his size with the ball in his hands, but he can develop into the complementary option to Terry McLaurin.
Round 5: Michael Taaffe, S, Texas
Michael Taaffe is a leader at the safety position with a ton of experience and ball production in college. He’s a bit undersized and lacks the ideal speed for the position, but his football IQ is evident on tape, both defensively and on special teams. He can grow into a role as a rotational DB for Dan Quinn’s defense.
Round 6: Logan Fano, EDGE, Utah
Logan Fano is an intriguing pass rusher to take a chance on here in the sixth round. He has a very strong trio of size, motor, and technique. He flashes the ability to be a disruptive pass rusher, albeit with a limited moveset. He also has two ACL tears in his medical history. If he stays healthy, he could develop into a starting-caliber player on defense and special teams.
Round 6: Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin
Charles Demmings wowed at the NFL Combine with a 4.41 40-yard dash, a 42-inch vertical, and an 11-foot-0 broad jump. Demmings looks to be a solid man coverage corner who can create turnovers. However, he didn’t look as good in zone coverage and barely got involved in the run game at Stephen F. Austin. He’s another developmental prospect with immediate special teams upside.
Round 7: Adam Randall, RB, Clemson
Adam Randall transitioned from wide receiver to running back in 2025. He boasts a sturdy build at 6-foot-2.5 and 230 pounds with reliable contact balance. While his overall rushing repertoire is limited at this time, he brings value as an inside zone runner, a pass catcher out of the backfield, and as a kickoff return candidate under the NFL’s new-ish rules.
NFL Draft on SI (Melo)
The Washington Commanders are spending the offseason retooling a disastrous defense. Signing Odafe Oweh should help fix the pass rush. An elite linebacker would continue transforming this unit. Sonny Styles was a top-three performer at the NFL Combine, leaping a 43.5 inch vertical and 11-foot-2 broad jump. Dan Quinn would love to add Styles’ range and athleticism to his reimagined defense.
NFL Spin Zone (Scataglia)
The Washington Commanders are doing what many teams would do with a ton of cap space. They’ve spent a metric-ton of money to shore up the defense, which was a sore spot in 2025. To be fair, though, this team struggled big-time with injuries, so they likely would have flirted with a winning record had the health was better.
But adding players like Odafe Oweh and Leo Chenal, for example, are pieces of what could end up being a stellar defense in 2026. Dan Quinn and the Commanders have made a ton of changes this offseason even before free agency, which included overhauling the coaching staff a bit.
But at the end of the day, the main factor here is going to be the health of Jayden Daniels, and that was a slight concern of his coming into the NFL given his thinner frame. Washington, in this mock draft, keeps their foot on the gas defensively and takes Sonny Styles. Styles is an immediate impact player.
Roto Baller (Lorge)
It may be a surprise to see Styles still on the board here, but it’s to Washington’s benefit. Bobby Wagner is a free agent and could leave in free agency. Whether he does come back, Wagner is not the long-term solution to the inside linebacker position in Washington. Styles would do exactly that.
Styles was an elite producer on the college gridiron, and then he put up an absolutely incredible performance at the combine. Styles is a once-in-a-lifetime athlete with an excellent college career. Styles is a converted safety, a hybrid mismatch, and a potential game-changer.
Covers (Caley)
No one saw their stock rise higher at the combine than Styles. The Buckeyes linebacker didn’t just test through the roof, he’s in the upper atmosphere. Styles is the type of defender head coach Dan Quinn would love to get his hands on.
Mock Draft Database
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
ESPN (Yates)
The Commanders landed one of the best free agent pass rushers in Odafe Oweh, which checks the box for their most pressing need and enables general manager Adam Peters to take my No. 2 prospect in this class. We can debate the merits of taking a running back early in perpetuity, but Love is a dynamic, dual-threat player who would instantly supercharge what was a middle-of-road backfield last season.
Teaming up Love with Jayden Daniels could be a lot of fun. They currently have two running backs under contract: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (seventh-round pick in 2025) and Rachaad White (free agency signing).
SB Nation (Schofield)
In nearly every single mock draft until this one, I slotted Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love to the Kansas City Chiefs with the ninth pick in the first round. The reasoning was simple: Kansas City needed to bolster their running game (even if Patrick Mahomes is back for Week 1), and Love was the best player at that position, and one of the best players in the entire class.
But as the Combine unfolded, one of the rumors that made its way from Indianapolis to the rest of the NFL world was that the Chiefs were kicking the tires on veteran running backs in free agency, partly because of this need but also due to a belief that when they were finally on the clock at No. 9, Love would be off the board.
Then came Monday, as the Chiefs agreed to terms with running back and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III.
So who might draft Love ahead of the Chiefs at No. 9?
How about the Washington Commanders?
Dan Quinn and company addressed one of their pressing needs on Monday when they agreed to terms on a deal for pass rusher Odafe Oweh, and instead, they can add some help for Jayden Daniels by drafting Love at No. 7.
The Ringer (Lee)
It’s tough to figure out where Love will go. While there aren’t enough blue-chip talents to knock Love out of the top 10, most teams in this range have too many pressing needs to use their pick on a running back—except for Washington.
The Commanders looked old and slow all last season, and the offense had no juice to rely on outside of quarterback Jayden Daniels (when he was healthy). Love would open up a new dimension for Washington, take the burden of the running game off Daniels, and pick on linebackers as a route runner. I’ve compared him to Chiefs legend Jamaal Charles, one of the most efficient running backs ever, and I’m convinced that’s his ceiling.
Shades of Travis Etienne Jr.
Souped-up, big-play back with top-tier acceleration, excellent contact balance, and passing game chops.
An elusive playmaker with legit track speed, Love is an explosive play waiting to happen. The 2025 Doak Award winner, he notched 39 carries of 10-plus yards (fourth most in the country) and found pay dirt a total of 21 times (also fourth) last season. He runs with excellent contact balance to pinball through traffic and shows the quickness to gather speed and change direction on a dime or set up hurdles and spin moves. He racked up 56 missed tackles forced last year (14th) and averaged 4.5 yards after contact per attempt (11th), per PFF. He’s a patient runner with a feel for letting his blocks set up before picking his lane; he varies tempo, lulling defenders to sleep before mashing the gas pedal to destroy angles or hit a cutback. He plays with good pad level on inside runs and keeps his legs churning for extra yards. He brings a fiery demeanor and likes to get up and talk smack to the defense. He brings soft hands in the pass game—we saw that when he snagged a one-handed touchdown against Texas A&M—and had just one drop last season, per PFF. He’s as reliable as they come, with zero fumbles and just one penalty in three seasons at Notre Dame.
While Love flashes the ability to square up rushers, stay low, and hold his ground in pass protection, he is inconsistent there and will need to clean up his blocking in the NFL. He’s relatively thin-framed and lacks real power between the tackles. He may not be viewed as a foundational, three-down back.
The Draft Network (Johnstone)
The Commanders have found reliability at all major offensive positions except RB. Jeremiyah Love is an immediate All-Pro-caliber back with rare agility and feel as a rusher. You don’t find many guys with his frame and athletic profile. This is a no-brainer pick to add a weapon to an already elite offense when healthy.
FanSided (Williams)
- Draft Notes: Lived up to hype with a blistering 40 at the Combine; two years of elite production with just under 2,500 yards and 35 touchdowns rushing
Hear me out, the way the Commanders have operated so far this offseason has me wondering if this is now very much in play for them. I still think they’d prefer someone like Bain, but there has been some buzz that Dan Quinn and Co. are trying to upgrade the run game. Frankly, I don’t think they have someone as capable as Love to do that in the building. It would be a risk, sure, but he also might be the best pure talent in the draft, and there are worse strategies than that.
Round 3: Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
A to Z Sports
There are more ways than one to get Jayden Daniels the help he needs in year three, and Jeremiyah Love would certainly take the pressure off. Love and Daniels could become one of the most feared duos instantly and help Daniels bounce back to his MVP trajectory.
Round 3: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
Fantasy Sports on SI (Morales-Smith)
Washington has struggled to find a running back, and it has limited their offense. Love will be a game-changer.
Niners Noise (Wohlfart)
Jayden Daniels regressed in his second year, so the Commanders need to provide a more potent running game as well as a weapon out of the backfield with this blue-chip prospect.
The Athletic (Baumgardner)
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
USA Today (Ostly/Tice)
Washington did a lot of work in free agency. But they don’t have a clear-cut No. 2 receiver behind veteran Terry McLaurin, who will be 31 this season and is coming off his least productive NFL campaign. A fellow Ohio Stater like McLaurin, Tate is the latest ready-made wideout product emerging from the Buckeyes’ pipeline. His 51 catches in 2025 averaged 17.2 yards, nearly three more than former teammate Jeremiah Smith, and should add another explosive element to an offense that already has QB Jayden Daniels ripping off plenty of big plays.
New York Post (Bonsignore)
The Commanders have to give young quarterback Jayden Daniels help. Deebo Samuel was a nice try, but it’s just not working out. Love could be an option if he’s still on the board, but that is unlikely given how Love backed up his tape with a freak show at the combine. Tate immediately pairs up with Daniels, allowing the two playmakers to grow together.
Pro Football Network (Decker)
The Commanders signed four edge rushers in free agency, including $100 million man Odafe Oweh, giving them the flexibility to target the best separator in the draft, Carnell Tate.
Tate is a true technician. Everything he does is sharp and precise. An elite route runner, he consistently wins with leverage, attacks space, and finds ways to win. Tate would form an excellent tag-team partnership with fellow Buckeye Terry McLaurin.
Round 3: Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska
NFL Mocks (Fagerlin)
After starting free agency rather defensive-heavy, the Washington Commanders, with Deebo Samuel and Noah Brown as pending free agents, add a weapon for Jayden Daniels. Carnell Tate is a true downfield threat who should pair well with, and learn a lot from, another former Buckeye in Terry McLaurin.
Essentially Sports (Hubbard)
With the Washington Commanders signing Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson, they no longer need to go with an edge rusher at seven. Instead, they get Jayden Daniels, a dynamic playmaker in Carnell Tate.
Sportsnaut (Buller-Russ)
Deebo Samuel is set for free agency. While the Commanders could bring in Jayden Daniels‘ former college teammate Brandon Aiyuk, there’s no guaranteeing he’ll return to top form after missing the entire 2025 season. Washington undoubtedly needs to add to the position this offseason, and Tate would be a good fit. He may have run slower than expected with a 4.53-second 40 Yard Dash, but the eye test suggests he’s plenty quick when getting open. Moreso, Tate has proven to be a polished receiver who should make an immediate impact in Washington, much like former Buckeyes receiver Terry McLaurin.
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Pro Football Focus (McGuinness)
More weapons for quarterback Jayden Daniels can’t be a bad thing. Lemon, the first wide receiver off the board in this mock, earned an elite 91.4 PFF receiving grade in 2025, placing him first among 432 qualifying college receivers. He also averaged 3.13 yards per route run (eighth best) and dropped just two catchable passes thrown his way.
Round 3: Darrell Jackson, Jr, DT, Florida State
TWSN
The Washington Commanders have overhauled their roster during free agency, mainly on the defensive side of the ball.
The only position where they lack a young game-changer is wide receiver. Adding Makai Lemon gives Jayden Daniels and this offense a young, dynamic player who can do anything on the field.
Trade down
Athlon Sports (Easterling)
Even after signing Trey Hendrickson to a massive deal, I wouldn’t be shocked if the Ravens still targeted one of the top edge rushers in this draft to turn a weakness into a strength after last year’s defensive debacle. Washington replaces their missing second-round pick in this deal, while the Ravens make a bold move up the board to land a complete edge defender who can set the edge against the run and get after the quarterback with both speed and power.
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
After moving back and adding a much-needed second-round pick, the Commanders are still able to address their need for defensive playmakers while getting better value in the process. McCoy is a bit of a wild card after missing the entire 2025 season with a knee injury, but his 2024 tape shows an elite cover man with top-10 talent. If he stays healthy, he could prove to be a massive bargain at this spot.
Round 2: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
Round 3: Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
Trade up
A to Z Sports (Roberts)
The Arizona Cardinals trade the No. 3 selection to the Washington Commanders for the No. 7, the No. 71, and a 2027 fourth round selection
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Trading up for a running back, in this economy? This isn’t just any running back. Love is a dynamic playmaker who routinely makes big plays, makes defenders miss in space, and can also be a big weapon in the passing game.
