It’s a huge April in Washington for all involved. Following a free agency period that leaned into adding physicality, defensive multiplicity, and most importantly, youth, the front office’s focus now shifts to it’s six picks in the draft. With holes still evident on either side of the ball, prioritizing impact defenders early and high-upside playmakers late was a focus in this 7-round exercise.
With all things considered including scheme fit, projection, and information from sources around football,
here’s my one, and only, full 7-round mock for the Washington Commanders just a few weeks away from draft night:
Round 1, No. 7 overall — SAF Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Downs is the type of prospect who alters how you call a game. One of the most instinctual athletes at the safety position in some time, his impact will span all three levels — a downhill enforcer in the run game, a fluid and instinctive coverage defender on the back end, and a matchup weapon in the slot.
Under Jones, Downs becomes the flex piece that unlocks everything. Whether rotating into single-high, buzzing into underneath zones, or matching tight ends (which does remain an area for improvement), he elevates the entire unit.
Pairing him with a front seven that now includes Odafe Oweh, Leo Chenal, K’Lavon Chaisson, and interior stalwarts like Daron Payne and Javon Kinlasw creates a far more aggressive identity, and his presence also benefits ascending pieces like Trey Amos at corner and Jordan Magee now in year three.
Immediate impact: Defensive tone-setter and centerpiece of a multiple-look secondary.
Round 3, No. 71 overall — WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State
Hurst remains one of the more intriguing Day 2 options in a loaded positional group.
Hurst, a 6’3” presence on the outside, turned heads all week at the Senior Bowl with his ability to consistently separate against Power Four corners. As a guy who dominated lower level competition, his ability to showcase varied releases, nuanced route-running, strong hands in traffic, and an advanced understanding of leverage under the spotlight of the NFL showcased a player that shouldn’t last long on Day 2.
He’s not just a size-speed projection, either. He’s polished. And in Washington, he adds a reliable boundary presence and complements the existing receiver room with a skill set built to impact all three levels of an offense while also expanding the ground game with his ability to block. The Commanders have met with Hurst multiple times in the process, as well.
Immediate impact: Rotational X-receiver with starting upside early in his career.
Round 5, No. 147 overall — EDGE Caden Curry, Ohio State
A powerful, high-motor edge defender, Curry brings a strong anchor in the run game with the ability to set the edge consistently right away. Now, his first step isn’t elite, but his hands, leverage, and effort allow him to collapse pockets and create disruption.
What stands out, however, is his versatility. He’s comfortable reducing inside on passing downs or playing as a traditional end in base looks — a key trait in Daronte Jones’ system that values alignment flexibility.
With Oweh and others in place, Curry adds a physical rotational presence who can wear on offensive lines as games churn along. But don’t disregard his pop as a pass rusher after the praise I gave for his ability as a run defender, as Curry amassed 12 sacks and 32 QB hits/hurries in 2025. He’s got some Ryan Kerrigan to his game.
As far as connection between the two parties, Washington met privately with Curry following Ohio State’s Pro Day.
Immediate impact: Early-down edge setter with rotational pass-rush upside.
Round 6, No. 187 overall — iDL Jordan van den Berg, Georgia Tech
If you can over the next few weeks, take a few minutes of your day and watch some tape of van den Berg, a native of Johannesburg, South Africa.
At 300 pounds, van den Berg is a twitched up interior defender with quick hands and impressive lateral agility who flashes the ability to shoot gaps and disrupt blocking schemes, particularly as a vertical, penetrating one-tech.
In D.C., he’ll enter a competitive room with Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw, Johnny Newton (poised for a big 2026), and veteran addition Charles Omenihu, but that’s exactly where he belongs — a developmental piece who can rotate in and grow without pressure.
His motor and explosiveness give him a real chance to carve out a role as a disruptive rotational piece.
Immediate impact: Developmental interior disruptor with rotational flashes.
Round 6, No. 209 overall — CB Andre Fuller, Toledo
A classic late-round traits bet in the secondary at 6’2”, 202 lbs.
Fuller brings length, physicality, and competitive toughness at the catch point, and thrives in press-man situations using his frame to disrupt timing and force receivers off their path.
While his technique and transitions need refinement, the raw tools are there as he allowed just 22 of the 58 targets thrown his way to be completed in 2025 (37.9% comp pct). He fits a mold of corners that Washington has shown interest in during the Adam Peters era.
He’ll compete for rotational reps early and contribute on special teams while developing consistency in coverage.
Immediate impact: Depth boundary corner with special teams value.
Round 7, No. 223 overall — WR Dillon Bell, Georgia
Bell is a dynamic, physical athlete with legitimate inside-out versatility. At Georgia, he showcased his ability to line up across the formation — outside, in the slot, even in gadget roles — and produce in a pro-style system against elite SEC competition.
He’s tough after the catch, competitive at the catch point, and offers more burst than he’s often credited for. While his route tree is still developing, the traits are exactly what you want to bet on late.
Landing him here in this exercise, despite mid-Day 3 grades from teams, is tremendous value.
Immediate impact: Developmental weapon with upside as a versatile offensive piece.
Final Thoughts
With just six picks, Washington maximizes value by landing:
- A defensive cornerstone in Downs
- A polished, high-upside receiver in Hurst
- Physical, versatile depth across the defensive front
- Late-round offensive explosiveness with Bell
Overall, the class aligns cleanly with the Commanders’ evolving identity — fast, physical, and flexible — while adding both immediate contributors and long-term building blocks.
