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Logan Paulsen’s top RB draft prospects of 2026
The opinions expressed in this article do not reflect those of the team.
Mike Washington Jr. | Arkansas
“I could not unsee Derrick Henry with him. He’s 6-1½, weighed like 226 and ran a 4.33. He is the perfect outside zone runner, just like Derrick Henry. And his ability to make that one cut and then just hit that gear and break the sound barrier as he punches through the defensive line and linebacker level is impressive. He’s a big man and an explosive player, and his ability at that size
to hit a home run is crazy to me.”
Kaytron Allen | Penn State
“He is the definition of a singles and doubles hitter. I’m not sure there’s a better runner in this top five category for me who has a better feel for setting up blocks and a better natural feel for how the run is breaking down. Imagine the most solid player you could think of. That’s what he is. He’s just incredibly, incredibly solid.”
Seth McGowan | Kentucky
“I think he’s got this athletic juice to him. You cut the tape on and he’s got a little bit of a not a clunky running style, but kind of an Isaiah Pacheco, like ‘I’m attacking the ground with my feet” running style. He can throw his foot in the ground and make a cut in a small area. I think he does a good job of setting up blocks. There is a little bit of like ‘I’m trying for the home run’ a little bit too much, but when you look at the athlete, the size, he’s 6-foot, 221 pounds. He ran a 4.47 at the combine. He had a 41-inch vertical. He killed it, and all those explosive metrics show up for me.”
ESPN
Why Commanders believe Jayden Daniels is ‘going to make the jump that you think’
[T]he Commanders have helped in some ways big…and subtle, [b]ut they need more.
They can address receiver in the draft, either with the seventh pick or, because it’s considered a deep draft for wideouts, with the 71st overall selection. There’s always Brandon Aiyuk, in whom they’d be interested if/when San Francisco releases him.
As multiple league sources — coaches and executives — have said: Washington’s roster needed work two years ago but Daniels was viewed as an “eraser.” One coach who faced Daniels last season said, “He hid all the warts.” Washington rode that ability to the NFC Championship Game, a year in which he played in all 20 games. They hope their moves help get them back to that spot.
Here’s how the Commanders have helped their third-year quarterback so far this offseason.
They got him a playmaking tight end
Washington signed Okonkwo, providing the Commanders a young player who has a different game than [Zach Ertz]. Okonkwo has not been as effective as Ertz in the red zone (he’s caught just 12 passes with five touchdowns in his first four seasons) but he excels after the catch, averaging 6.2 yards last season. Only six tight ends gained more yards after the catch than Okonkwo last season, all of them had at least 16 more receptions.
They added depth to the backfield
Washington signed two free agent running backs in Rachaad White and Jerome Ford, and re-signed Jeremy McNichols to go along with Jacory Croskey-Merritt. There’s still a chance they could add a back in the draft, perhaps as high as No. 7 with Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love.
They’re changing the offense
New offensive coordinator David Blough will run an offense that looks different than what previous coordinator Kliff Kingsbury ran the past two seasons. The Commanders want a stronger emphasis on the run game. But Blough also will use more play-action passes with the quarterback starting from under center (Daniels has attempted 18 such passes combined in his first 24 regular-season games).
“The play action, coming from under center, that helps,” Quinn said, “and a passer as accurate and strong-armed as Jayden allows deep play passes to take place. That excites us.”
ESPN
2026 NFL draft: Latest intel, questions for 32 teams’ picks
What’s the best-case scenario for the Commanders at No. 7?
A team that is willing to trade up calls them, allowing the Commanders to recoup a Day 2 draft pick. Washington enters the draft with six picks but has only two in the first three rounds to replenish a roster that badly needs youth. It’s doubtful the Commanders will want to move back more than a few spots — there are players they like who could help them and will be available in the top 12. But with only one QB expected to be drafted in the top 10, GM Adam Peters said at the combine that it will be difficult to entice any team to move up. — John Keim
What we’re hearing about the Commanders’ draft: The Commanders need to be precise. Wide receiver and cornerback are two positions the team is expected to address with its top-100 picks. And like John said, Washington wouldn’t mind trading back to grab an extra pick or two. — Reid
Commanders Wire
Commanders’ K’Lavon Chaisson: ‘It’s now or never for me’
Chaisson struggled early in his NFL career, but had a breakout season with the New England Patriots in 2025. He recently appeared on the “Next Man Up” podcast with Bryan Colbert Jr. and discussed how he plans to impose his will on opposing offenses this season.
“You gotta decide to block me all four quarters, and that’s my favorite part about it. I’m willing to take it to a fifth quarter if it has to go there. I like that part about it. I never quit; I can go all day long. The mindset and the energy that I play with, it’s now or never for me.”
When he reached a team that deployed him correctly and had a former linebacker as its head coach to help develop his skills, Chaisson flourished. He’s still only 26 and coming off his best two seasons.
Last season with the Patriots, Chaisson recorded 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two passes defensed, six stuffs, and 31 total tackles. During his first four seasons with the Jaguars, he recorded a total of five sacks.
Commanders.com
‘That’s tough’: Players love Commanders’ new uniforms
“That’s tough!” Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves said after he signed his extension with the team.
Moments after they officially signed their contracts, members of the Commanders’ free agency class got a glimpse of the new uniforms that will debut next week on April 15. The list of players featured in a clip released by the Commanders’ social media team included Reaves, running back Jeremy McNichols, cornerback Amik Robertson, defensive end Odafe Oweh, linebacker Leo Chenal, running back Rachaad White, wide receiver Dyami Brown and several others. The video didn’t feature much dialogue, but players’ reactions made it clear that they approved of the new design.
It has been a goal of Harris’ to blend the organization’s past and future since he and his partners officially took control of the team in 2023. He grew up watching the team during the three decades when it won three Super Bowls and competed for a championship on a regular basis. He wants the franchise to return to that success as much as possible, whether that’s winning on the field or beginning plans for the next stadium to be at the former RFK site.
SB Nation
This is the Hogs Haven pick in the SB Nation NFL Mock Draft, happening this week
SB Nation NFL Mock Draft: With the 7th pick the Washington Commanders select…
Even with Reese, Bailey, Love, and Styles off the board, the Commanders still had several great options. Carnell Tate was considered to pair with Terry McLaurin, and give Jayden Daniels another weapon. Caleb Downs is the pick, and gives Washington the best safety they’ve had on the roster in a long time. Downs is an intelligent and versatile defender who can take over the green dot from Bobby Wagner. Downs immediately improves a secondary that has has had communication and talent issues.
You can follow along with all the picks in the SB NATION MOCK DRAFT as they are made: https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/feed
Commanders.com
Commanders host 37 NFL Draft prospects for local pro day
[On Thursday], the Washington Commanders [hosted] more than three dozen NFL Draft prospects, most of which have ties to Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia, to provide them with an opportunity to showcase their skill sets.
The list of 37 draft prospects included the likes of University of Maryland defensive back Jalen Huskey, Georgetown wide receiver Jimmy Kibble and Navy running back Eli Heidenreich. The University of Maryland was well-represented at the team’s home facility in Ashburn, Virginia, with six former Terps attending the pro day. The list of prospects also included five former Virginia players: defensive end Mitchell Melton, defensive back Devin Neal, defensive tackle Jahmeer Carter, long snapper Bryce Robinson and quarterback Chandler Morris. It also included punter Nick Veltsistas from Virginia Tech and kicker Damian Ramos from Louisiana State.
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Bleeding Green Nation
Ranking the NFC East
- Dallas – A good offense, Christian Parker as their new DC, one of the better kickers in the league, and two first round picks enables them to stay ahead of the other two teams for now. They’re still not good enough to make much noise in the playoffs though, if they even get there. And Jerry will find a way to screw it up at some point. But, for now, I have them in this spot.
- NY – Harbaugh may not solve all of their problems, but he raises their floor – the franchise will be more competent moving forward. But all bets are off if Dart keeps getting concussions. (Not wishing that on him – just saying it seems to be a legit concern.) If everything goes right for them, they could pass Dallas, but I’m not quite ready to move them ahead at this point.
- Washington – I just don’t think they have any sense at all of the right way to build their roster around Daniels. I feel like they are going to continue to have challenges and waste a meaningful part of his rookie contract.
Blogging the Boys
NFL insider explains how Caleb Downs can fall to Cowboys
Are you willing to let yourselve believe that Caleb Downs is possible at 12?
Recently we had the chance to talk to Schrager, just a day after his recent mock where he sent Caleb Downs to the Cowboys at 12 overall. It is particularly interesting that he of all people would mock Downs to Dallas as he has nailed the Cowboys’ first-round pick in each of the last two years.
Here is Schrager’s logic.
“So last year when I had Booker going in the first round I caused a lot of problems with Cowboys fans saying there is no way they’re certainly not taking offensive line and then they took offensive line because I knew that they loved him. Downs, I look at their new defensive coordinator, and I look at what his specialty is… it’s defensive backs. And I’m telling you I know Christian. He is a 34-year old who is all about creativity, high energy, and smarts. Caleb Downs… Matt Patricia told me… when he joins whatever team he joins he will immediately be the smartest player on that defense and the face of the franchise.”
“No one thought he could possibly slip out of the top 10. I look at this draft and I look at the positions and the values and what these teams need. Safety has almost been a luxury for a lot of these teams as they view the draft and I point to Kyle Hamilton. Supposed to be a top 10 pick, goes 14. Derwin James. Supposed to be a top 10 pick, goes 18. You look at any mock draft last year… Nick Emmanwori was going in the first round. He falls to the second round. So by the trends I don’t necessarily think a team is going to take a safety in the top 10 above an elite corner, above an elite pass rusher, above a wide receiver, if they have needs at those positions.”
“The Cowboys have defensive back needs. I think it is a perfect fit and I think the match between new defensive coordinator and the way that he speaks, and I’ve known him for years, the way that he preaches versatility and the ability to play mulitple spots along that defensive backfield if needed… that’s everything Caleb Downs has been who we have been watching since he was at Alabama and been hearing about for it feels like a decade.”
“So to me Caleb Downs is the perfect fit and I think he might be there at 12.”
Big Blue View
What the NY Giants offensive depth chart looks like after signing Daniel Faalele
John Harbaugh turns to a player who Ravens fans are glad to be rid of
The question of who will start at right guard for the New York Giants was likely answered on Wednesday when the Giants signed Daniel Faalele to a one-year contract.
Faalele spent the last two seasons starting at that spot for the Baltimore Ravens, where current Giants head coach John Harbaugh was employed. Maybe this will change because of the draft, or because of a surprising development in training camp, but if the Giants had to play a game now it’s hard to see anyone other than Faalele lining up at right guard.
According to the scathing review below of Faalele’s play in Baltimore, and Harbaugh’s stubborn allegiance to the 6-foot-8, 370-pounder, from Nikhil Mehta of SB Nation’s Baltimore Beatdown, Faalele’s arrival might not be a positive development for New York.
Mehta wrote:
It’s safe to say Ravens fans will not miss Daniel Faalele. The 2022 fourth-rounder was seen as a high-upside prospect when he was drafted but never developed into a starting-caliber player. After serving as a swing tackle in his first two years, the team made him their starting right guard in 2024. He struggled at first but showed clear signs of improvements by the end of the year.
That progress had seemingly evaporated by the start of the 2025 season, and unlike the year before, he did not take meaningful steps forward as the weeks wore on. Despite that, the Ravens never seemed to consider a change. You could make an argument that the coaching staff’s stubbornness about Faalele – a clear liability to most with the ability of sight – was one of the reasons for John Harbaugh’s downfall in Baltimore.
The fact that no team – not even the ones now coached by his last head coach and offensive coordinator – signed Faalele for a month speaks volumes. If he wins the Giants’ starting right guard job, their offensive line is in bad shape. It would also be a worrying sign that some of the issues that led to Harbaugh’s exit from Baltimore have followed him to New York.
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NFL tells teams to expect replacement officials on June 1 if no labor deal is reached
The NFL informed teams on Wednesday that they should expect replacement officials to begin attending facilities to work practices beginning June 1 if the league and the NFL Referees Association fail to reach an agreement on a new labor deal next month.
Negotiations toward a new CBA between the NFL and the referees’ union have thus far proved fruitless, and with the current deal set to expire on May 31, league officials continue to work on contingency plans.
Owners were informed in a league memo that because the two sides remain far apart in multiple aspects of the labor deal, the NFL plans to begin hiring and training replacement officials — primarily from the NCAA Division I, II and III ranks.
Part of that training would involve having those referees apply the classroom lessons by officiating offseason practices to help them acclimate to NFL rules and the speed of the professional game.
The NFL asked teams to submit their schedules for OTA days and mandatory minicamps to help them prepare for the assigning of officials.
According to two league sources, the union has asked for annual pay increases of roughly 10 percent, which represents a spike from the current CBA’s rate of 5.75 percent annual increases. The NFL offered an increase of 6.45 percent per year for the next six years, those sources said.
The NFL also wants to shorten the blackout period during which it is prohibited from communicating with officials during the offseason, believing that a shorter blackout period can lead to more extensive training. The NFL wants an increased probationary period for officials and wants to require poor-performing officials to work spring football games as a condition of remaining employed.
The NFLRA is said to be opposed to both proposals.
NFL.com
Falcons RT Kaleb McGary retires after seven seasons in NFL; Atlanta signs former Chiefs OT Jawaan Taylor
After just seven NFL seasons, Kaleb McGary is calling it a career.
The Falcons’ starting right tackle announced his retirement Wednesday via a social media post from his agent. Atlanta has since announced the news.
Atlanta shuffled its O-line in the wake of McGary’s season-ending injury last August with a starting left-handed QB, Michael Penix Jr., at the helm. That issue remains as Tua Tagovailoa enters the fold in 2026, and the Falcons moved swiftly by signing former Jaguars and Chiefs tackle Jawaan Taylor to a one-year deal with a base value of $5 million on Wednesday, ESPN reported.
Front Office Sports
NFL’s Melbourne Opener Sparks Frenzy, Ticket Issues, Team Unease
The NFL is breaking new ground with its first regular-season game in Australia, but not without some logistical hurdles
The NFL’s historic trip to Australia to help kick off the 2026 regular season is already arriving with some difficulties.
General ticketing for the upcoming matchup on Sept. 10 in Melbourne between the 49ers and Rams began this week, and within minutes, the Ticketmaster-powered system was flooded with demand far beyond the 100,000-seat capacity of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
More than 151,000 fans registered their interest in buying tickets, and as sales began, virtual lines quickly stretched into the tens of thousands—not unlike those for many other high-profile events—with most seats snapped up within the first half-hour of general sales. Ticket prices that begin at $95 AUS ($67) for standing-room access, and elevate sharply from there into the hundreds of dollars, have drawn local rebuke.
As of Wednesday morning in the U.S., all that was left for purchase were a small collection of VIP-level tickets beginning at $1,750 AUS ($1,234).
The situation unfolding in Australia for the NFL’s first regular-season game there is somewhat similar to the massive ticket demand the league has seen for its games in Germany in recent years, as that country has become a critical international market.
The extreme time-zone difference between the U.S. and Australia also forced the league to shift its traditional opening game with the defending Super Bowl champion, this year involving the Seahawks, to a Wednesday slot.
“I don’t see any pro” to the trip, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said at last week’s NFL annual meeting in Arizona. “It’s cool for the league to play globally. I think that’s awesome. But as far as the team doing it, no, there’s not much benefit.
“That was our goal, to go 19 hours away to play a game,” Shanahan continued sarcastically.
For Australian fans, meanwhile, the game will actually happen on a Friday morning locally to help preserve the Thursday primetime broadcast slot back in the U.S. Even with that non-traditional scheduling, the ticket demand reached historic levels.
Discussion topics
ESPN
2026 NFL quarterback mock draft: Team fits over seven rounds
Round 1, No. 31: Arizona Cardinals (projected trade with NE)
Ty Simpson, Alabama
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 211 | Scouts Inc. ranking: QB2
2025 stats: 64.5% completion rate, 3,567 yards, 28 TDs, five INTs (two rushing TDs)
When will Simpson go? I think he’s a Round 2 player, similar in grade to where I had Tyler Shough and Jaxson Dart last year. Of course, Dart ended up going in Round 1 with a small trade up for the Giants so that they could secure the fifth-year option — a critical year of extra contract control for a big-money position. The same could and likely will happen with Simpson, especially in a thin QB class. To move from No. 34 to No. 31, it should take only a fourth-round pick or so, and the Patriots would be wise to target a 2027 pick (which they could then flip as part of a package for Eagles receiver A.J. Brown).
Round 3, No. 99: Pittsburgh Steelers
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 203 | Scouts Inc. ranking: QB3
2025 stats: 67.4% completion rate, 1,927 yards, 12 TDs, five INTs (one rushing TD)
The connection between the Steelers and Nussmeier is obvious. When Mike McCarthy was the head coach in Dallas, Nussmeier’s father, Doug, was his quarterbacks coach. Doug Nussmeier has stayed in the coaching tree, too, following Kellen Moore to the Chargers, then the Eagles and then the Saints. In that the Steelers need a developmental QB2 with more legs than 2025 sixth-rounder Will Howard, Garrett Nussmeier would be an option no matter what. The family connection only helps.
Round 5, No. 152: Dallas Cowboys
Carson Beck, Miami
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 233 | Scouts Inc. ranking: QB5
2025 stats: 72.4% completion rate, 3,813 yards, 30 TDs, 12 INTs (two rushing TDs)
The QB2 job is up for grabs in Dallas, with incoming Sam Howell battling incumbent Joe Milton III for the right to back up Dak Prescott. This is not a particularly thrilling QB2 battle. Milton is an inexperienced developmental QB who excites with his highlights but cannot be trusted for reliable play. Howell is a one-time starter who was traded twice last season as the Vikings and Eagles tried him out as a backup before moving on.
Dallas doesn’t need to add a third body to that battle. But with three picks in the fifth round and an otherwise deep roster, why wouldn’t the Cowboys take a chance on a QB should one fall into their lap?
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