The NFL draft is here, and starts tonight at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. The Commanders have held their annual Top 30 group visit at TopGolf and hosted 37 local prospect recently as they finalize their big board. Washington began recalibrating the team in free agency, and now turns to the draft to bring in more young talent. Last season’s disappointing finish led to the No. 7 overall in tonight’s draft.
This roundup has 86 mock drafts and 27 of them feature wide receivers. Arizona State’s Jordyn
Tyson only appears in three, and the most popular player in the final roundup, Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, has the rest. He has been linked to Washington more and more, but is now a favorite to be catching passes from Jayden Daniels soon. Several mock drafts also have the Commanders passing on Tate, to move down, and gain additional picks. Kiper, Yates, Schrager, Brugler, Zierlien, and others all have Tate joining Terry McLaurin, and potentially/eventually replacing him. Chris Simms has Washington trading up to #5 with the Giants to secure Tate, but doesn’t say what that would cost or why he hates the Commanders.
Another former Buckeye is almost as popular as Tate in the final mock draft roundup. Linebacker Sonny Styles blew everyone away at the Combine, and has been sitting in the Top 10 of most mocks ever since. People have linked him to head coach Dan Quinn, “Commanders coach Dan Quinn has reportedly told contacts that Styles is his favorite player in the class”. He would step into a LB room with Frankie Luvu and Jordan Magee. Bobby Wagner wasn’t re-signed after leading the defense for the last two seasons. Can Styles step right into a big role in new DC Daronte Jones defense?
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love’s popularity for Washington started to slip last week. His consensus mock position is No. 4 overall to the Tennessee Titans. There were still 8 mock drafters that wanted to pair Love with Jayden Daniels, and he continues to be a popular pick. Jason La Canfora thinks there will be enough teams interested in Love that Washington would trade up to secure him.
LSU CB Mansoor Delane had his best week yet if you want him to be wearing Burgundy and Gold this season. He was mocked to the Commanders nine times, and is a popular target for trade downs. Top CB or top WR? That could be two of the options Washington faces tonight.
Rueben Bain Jr and David Bailey are afterthoughts for the Commanders in the last roundup. Only four mentions between them, but Bain gets another nod after a trade down. Caleb Downs is also lower than the past few weeks leading up to the draft, but his consensus rank is also up to #6.
There were two trade ups, and we’ve got seven different trade downs to talk about. The Commanders trade down with the Chiefs(#9), Rams(#14), and Jets(#16). Wide receivers Omar Cooper Jr. and Makai Lemon are popular trade down targets. The Commanders even get Ruben Bain Jr, Caleb Downs, and Mansoor Delane after moving back.
Which trade down do you want to see happen?
Position breakdown:
WR – 27
RB – 8
S – 8
CB – 9
LB – 22
EDGE/OLB – 4
Trade down – 6
Trade up- 2
Mock Draft Sim powered by FanSpeak
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
ESPN (Kiper)
The Commanders need defensive help, and Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. would have to get a look. But they also have their pick of the receiver class. Tate is currently my No. 2 receiver behind Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, but he’s atop a lot of receiver boards around the league and doesn’t come with the same injury questions Tyson does.
Paired with another Ohio State product in Terry McLaurin, Tate would bring clean route running, reliability and some big-play ability. He averaged 17.2 yards per catch last season en route to 875 yards and nine trips to the end zone. Considering the Commanders would be relying on Luke McCaffrey, Treylon Burks and Dyami Brown behind McLaurin, this makes sense.
ESPN (Schrager)
There are a lot of good options on the board, including Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. But Washington has to help Jayden Daniels and get this offense back on track. The Commanders scored 20.1 points per game last season but didn’t make many WR additions in free agency. The entire receiver class is available here. I think Washington could pair Tate with Terry McLaurin.
ESPN (Yates)
Defense was a consideration here, with two talented defensive backs still on the board in Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. But Washington is thin at wide receiver after Terry McLaurin; Deebo Samuel is still a free agent after leading the team with 727 receiving yards last season. Tate has reliable hands (only four drops on 162 career targets), runs precise routes and is among the most pro-ready prospects in this class.
The Athletic (Brugler)
The Commanders could use reinforcements on defense (it’d be hard to pass on Downs or Sonny Styles), but helping your young quarterback with an outside weapon who can win at all three levels? Jayden Daniels would approve of this pick.
NFL.com (Zierlein)
The Ohio State run continues with a fourth straight Buckeye flying off the board. The Jayden Daniels hype has cooled down after an injury-riddled sophomore campaign, but giving the quarterback a premium running mate for Terry McLaurin (another Buckeye!) could heat the offense back up again.
Sports Illustrated (Orr)
I really liked Makai Lemon here with the Amon-Ra St. Brown comparison. But when I came across this quote about Tate from former Ohio State teammate Will Howard (via this ESPN piece), it convinced me that Tate could be the best receiver to operate in new coordinator David Blough’s system.
“Carnell is kind of a little bit of a Swiss Army knife. He plays bigger than he is. He’s strong as hell, and he’s really sneaky fast. The thing I think that’s so overlooked about his game is how well he blocks. He is a hell of a blocking receiver, and he’s super unselfish.”
That sounds like a receiver who can help Jayden Daniels. And fast.
Los Angeles Times (Farmer)
The Commanders get a versatile leader in the middle who can play all four downs.
CBS Sports (Jones)
You know what you’re getting with Tate, the top wideout in the draft. Terry McLaurin will be 31 this year and can be released after the season. The Commanders cannot have expectations for Brandon Aiyuk whenever and however they acquire him. With what they may have to pay Jayden Daniels a year from now, getting a cost-controlled rookie receiver is an obvious team-building move.
CBS Sports (Edwards)
If Washington misses the run on defensive talent and Jeremiyah Love is gone, where do they go? Wide receiver is the most logical path. The Commanders pair one Ohio State receiver with another.
NBC Sports Boston (Perry)
He might not have quite as much upside as Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, but Tate will give Jayden Daniels a down-the-field threat with whom he can grow.
Many assume Brandon Aiyuk will ultimately end up in Washington to play with his former Sun Devils quarterback, but it’s hard to depend on him if you’re the Commanders. Take Tate and move on.
NBC Sports (Dvorchak)
The Commanders will be happy to see a top-tier skill position player here, regardless of where they line up on the field. Tate profiles as a big-play WR2 early in his career. As a Commander, he would have a clear runway to succeed Terry McLaurin as his team’s WR1 in a few years.
Establish the Run (Silva)
A perfect match with Jayden Daniels’ vertical passing prowess in D.C.
The 33rd Team (Meirov)
Sports Illustrated (Flick)
Washington would consider Styles or Love if either falls, but those odds appear to be dwindling. The Commanders like Tate, who could also go before this pick, but he gives Washington a reliable receiver capable of stressing defenses at all three levels. Tate is lanky, explosive and has high-level ball skills to make plays at the catch point.
Rotoballer (Murchison)
Carnell Tate, the polished and explosive wide receiver from Ohio State with reliable hands, crisp routes, and strong YAC ability, lands with the Washington Commanders in a young, ascending offense that’s ready for another weapon. Pairing him with Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin gives Tate a clear path to meaningful snaps and targets as a rookie, especially in a pass-friendly scheme that spreads the ball around.
For fantasy football, this is a strong landing spot that boosts Tate’s outlook significantly. He jumps into the conversation as a high-upside WR3/flex option with WR2 potential in redraft leagues and becomes an even more appealing dynasty selection thanks to the long-term chemistry he can build with the Commanders’ young core.
Touchdown Wire
With Sonny Styles and Jeremiyah Love off the board, GM Adam Peters listens to trade offers here, but nothing materializes. Instead, he lands the draft’s top wideout to pair with QB Jayden Daniels and WR Terry McLaurin. Tate is unfairly criticized for being Ohio State’s No. 2 receiver, but he became a star in his own right. He has everything NFL teams covet in a wide receiver and gives the Commanders a legit outside option opposite McLaurin. Washington is thrilled to land Tate.
Sportsnaut (Buller-Russ)
The Commanders can’t afford not to get Jayden Daniels some more help. So, they cross off their checklist early with the best receiver prospect in the draft. Tate clocked a 4.4. 40-yard dash, and he’s extremely polished after a college career at Ohio State, which has been producing some of the best pass-catchers in the nation.
FF Today (Bales)
It’s hard to determine what’s fake and what’s real at this point in the offseason, but I believe the Commanders could look to add a wide receiver here. They have a clear WR1 in Terry McLaurin, but they’re lacking an elite secondary option. Tate is a player who is going to need to develop, and he can learn behind a fellow Ohio State receiver in Washington.
Grinding the Mocks (Robinson)
Improving at WR should be the #1 goal after their Free Agency.
AL.com (Hammond)
Washington gets their target for QB Jayden Daniels.
Philly Voice (Kempski)
The Commanders are a little unpredictable because GM Adam Peters makes weird choices. Their defense was bad in 2024 and atrocious in 2025. They need way more help on that side of the ball than they do on offense, but I could absolutely see Peters reaching at 7 for Tate, who wasn’t even the best receiver on his own college team.
VSiN (Murray)
Mock Draft Database
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
NFL.com (Jeremiah)
The Commanders have a screaming need at wide receiver. There are legitimate durability concerns about Tyson, but they are willing to take a chance on the upside. I also see safety Caleb Downs as a possibility here.
CBS Sports (Prisco)
They need help at receiver and Terry McLaurin turns 31 this year. Tyson is the best receiver in this class if he can stay healthy. That’s the key.
NBC Sports Bay Area (Maiocco)
The only issue is his durability, and, yes, that’s an issue.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
ESPN (Reid)
The Commanders need help everywhere, so I have them taking the player I feel is the best in this year’s class. Love is an explosive play waiting to happen and would unlock multiple layers of the playbook that Washington couldn’t access last season. He rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025 and had 39 runs of 10 or more yards, fourth most in the FBS. Having quarterback Jayden Daniels and Love together would strike fear in NFL defenses.
Round 3: Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
Fields would give Jayden Daniels a big downfield target at 6-foot-5, 218 pounds. He averaged 17.5 yards per reception last season.
Round 5: Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington
Round 6: Pat Coogan, C, Indiana
Round 6: Gary Smith III, DT, UCLA
Round 7: Micah Morris, G, Georgia
Yahoo Sports (Tice/McDonald)
There simply aren’t many offenses that can unleash a quarterback and running back that can both run a sub-4.4 40 on every snap. I like how the Commanders addressed the running back room already this offseason, and they have other positions and needs on their roster they could easily go after. But with so many defensive players going early, and the Commanders perhaps feeling like they can address offensive needs later, they instead go with perhaps the best skill player in this year’s draft class to boost their offense with first time play-caller David Blough.
CBS Sports (Podell)
Someone is going to take Jeremiyah Love in the top 10, and Washington takes the plunge. Jayden Daniels needs to have more support on the field in 2026 after he missed 10 games because of three different injuries: a knee sprain, a hamstring strain and a dislocated elbow. The Commanders need a run game that isn’t so reliant on Daniels: he ran for an NFL rookie quarterback record 891 yards in 2024. Problem solved.
Sporting News (Iyer)
The Commanders are the strongest candidates to trade down in the first round with their multitude of needs that line up with the best players available. Downs would make sense plenty if they stay put as the top impact defender on the board for Dan Quinn.
Round 3: Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State
The Commanders would think about Zachariah Branch from Georgia here, but his recent arrest on misdemeanor charges clouds that. Instead, they can take an aggressive shot on this diminutive dasher.
Miami Herald (Kelly)
Love has the speed and burst to run away from would-be tacklers and showcases elite vision and sensational patience.
Real GM (Risdon)
Too many trustworthy people have been saying for too long that Love’s floor is Washington to ignore.
Draft Countdown (Bosarge)
There is a very good chance that Love will have already been drafted by this selection. But if he hasn’t, I think the Commanders would jump at the chance to add him to their offensive backfield. Love’s skillset pairs extremely well with QB Jayden Daniels.
Cat Scratch Reader (Belton)
The Commanders add the best player available in Love, a player who can be an excellent battery-mate to Jayden Daniels, who should be healthy this year.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
NFL.com (Brooks)
After debating the pros and cons of taking a shutdown cornerback who theoretically offers better positional value, Dan Quinn and Adam Peters instead opt for the best player available. Downs’ instincts, awareness, versatility and communication skills will upgrade a defense that needs to get back on track with a strong performance in 2026.
ESPN’s First Draft (Kiper)
Establish the Run (Daigle)
Washington DC Daronte Jones most recently worked under defensive guru Brian Flores, whose scheme asks the S position to do everything. Carnell Tate is also a wild card here.
NBC Sports Philadelphia (Frank)
This one seems like a no-brainer for the Commanders, but that’s never really mattered, which is one of the reasons the franchise has been such a mess for such a long time. Downs would give the Commanders a productive, physical presence in the secondary, something they sorely need. Downs started out at Alabama and played well in his one season in Tuscaloosa, but he really came into his own once he got to Columbus and began working with Matt Patricia. Including his one year at Alabama and two years at Ohio State, he piled up 257 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 1 ½ sacks, six interceptions, 12 pass breakups and three forced fumbles. That’s elite production. There are questions about Downs, who didn’t work out at the Combine and played mainly in the box for OSU, raising concerns about his coverage ability. And just that safeties don’t get drafted this high so is it really a value pick. But Downs projects as a special player, and when asked to cover, he was very good. He’s got a high football IQ, he’s a big hitter, tough run stuffer and he even had two punt return touchdowns, one at each school. A big-time talent who should be a top-10 pick.
A to Z Sports (May)
The Commanders have several needs, and most of them just got taken before this pick. The good news is that Caleb Downs is still on the board, and he’s likely the best overall defensive back in the class. Downs was an All-American from the get-go in college, and only improved from there. Over 250 tackles in three seasons. Three-time All-American (if we include his Freshman All-American status) talent. Nearly 20 passes defended. Downs can do anything the Commanders defense asks him to do.
TWSN
Downs is one of the most versatile players in the draft, capable of impacting the game as a deep safety, in the box, or even lining up in the slot. Downs brings elite instincts, range, and physicality, which would give Washington a true difference-maker on the back end. For a Commanders defense looking to become faster, more aggressive, and more dynamic, adding a player like Downs could completely change the identity of the unit.
Fantasy Pros (Fitzmaurice)
Other than Jayden Daniels, the Commanders’ only above-average performer at the so-called skill positions is Terry McLaurin — and McLaurin turns 31 in September. The Commanders could very well go with Carnell Tate here.
Instead, the Commanders opt for a different college star from Columbus, Ohio. Caleb Downs is a do-everything safety who can tie the room together, so to speak, for the Washington defense.
Seahawks Draft Blog (Staton)
The Commanders can get a weapon later. They won’t be able to add an impact defender like Downs in round three though (they don’t own a second round pick after trading for Laremy Tunsil a year ago).
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
ESPN
The Commanders added plenty of help on defense in free agency, particularly in the front. But to help the pass rush, they need stronger corner play. Last season, they ranked 31st in yards per pass attempt allowed (7.6) as well as in opposing QBR (52.9). Delane’s versatility — he can play man or zone — would allow new coordinator Daronte Jones to better disguise coverages.
NFL.com (Edholm)
Delane is a D.C.-area prospect who fills a need, returning home a more polished corner than when he left Virginia Tech for LSU. That said, I’m sure Commanders general manager Adam Peters would love to trade down if a decent offer were to materialize.
The Athletic (Baumgardner)
Jermod McCoy physical potential is definitely tantalizing. But Delane for me, is the safest cornerback and the most confident man-coverage defender in the draft. A controlled ball hawk who is very difficult to fool or stack, what you see is what you get here, and he could be among the NFL’s top shelf at CB in short order.
The Athletic (Mock)
I contemplated taking a wide receiver here to give Jayden Daniels some more help, but I couldn’t get past taking a top-ranked prospect at a pretty important position for a team that needs defensive help. Delane has flown under the radar this draft cycle — he doesn’t get talked about much despite being firmly inside the consensus top 10.
McShay Report
It comes down to Caleb Downs, Delane, or Carnell Tate. There’s love in the building for Tate, but too many sources I trust around the league think this pick is for Dan Quinn’s defense. Sonny Styles would be the ideal choice, but he’s gone to Tennessee in this exercise. (Important to note: If Styles doesn’t go at 4, he will almost certainly be here for Washington at 7.)
Delane is a good fit, but he’s not the typical length of a corner in Quinn’s system.
Yahoo Sports (Fawkes)
Odds: +550
This is where it gets interesting. Love (+250) is the betting favorite for the Commanders at No. 7 as well, followed by Styles (+350) and Tate (+400). It’s possible Love falls all the way to No. 7, but for the purposes of a mock draft, we have to select the player with the best odds who hasn’t been taken yet, and that is LSU’s Delane — the top-ranked CB on the board. Washington’s defense has added pieces on every level this offseason in free agency, but could use more help on the back end.
NFL on SI (Melo)
The Commanders pivot to LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane after missing out on Tate. Washington’s pass defense has been a weakness in recent years. Delane is the best cornerback in this NFL Draft with the capability to thrive in both man and zone coverage.
SNY (Hughes)
A weapon for Jayden Daniels is absolutely on the table here. Terry McLaurin is 30 and there isn’t much behind him in the receiving room. The injury issues with Tyson, and Tate’s questionable ceiling, make Delane seem a bit more realistic. He’s the best corner in the draft and can help the Commanders match up with CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys), Devonta Smith (Eagles) and Malik Nabers (Giants).
Pro Football Talk (Florio)
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
ESPN (Miller)
I’ve consistently heard that Styles will be the pick if he’s on the board. The Commanders have also done work on the wide receiver class in the event that Styles is gone. But Commanders coach Dan Quinn has reportedly told contacts that Styles is his favorite player in the class, and without a second-round pick, Washington must determine which positions have depth. Wide receiver is one of them, as Chris Brazzell II (Tennessee) could be the team’s Round 3 target.
Fowler’s intel: Teams I’ve talked to believe Styles would be a dream Dan Quinn pick, but they also wonder whether the Commanders are leaning offense. Wide receiver Carnell Tate (Ohio State) is a popular name here, and Washington has spent a lot of time with him.
Sports Illustrated (Breer)
Need meets value with this one. Styles has monster potential and the ability to quickly become the green dot for Dan Quinn, with the length and speed that Quinn covets, and the versatility to be a weapon in new coordinator Daronte Jones’s scheme. The Commanders have done a lot of work on the receivers, so that would be another position to consider here. And Love falling this far, if it happens, might make the decision academic. But in this scenario, Styles makes the most sense for everyone involved.
NFL.com (Parr)
It’s certainly possible Styles hears his name called earlier in Round 1. In this simulation, Washington celebrates its good fortune, with GM Adam Peters, who was an executive with the 49ers when they drafted LB Fred Warner, finding a new centerpiece for a defense that could use a jolt of energy.
The Athletic (Howe)
We’re going to learn something about the Commanders with this pick.
Styles is perfect for coach Dan Quinn’s system as a converted safety with quality coverage skills, high-end athleticism and a motor that won’t quit.
“Styles is the best player in the draft, regardless of position,” a coach said. “He’s the best inside linebacker prospect of the last 10-15 years.”
Teams love Styles. He’s a freakishly gifted athlete who can help run a defense, and one executive said he’ll probably be a CEO after his playing career. Styles is aces across the board.
But what if ownership has a say in the matter? Quarterback Jayden Daniels desperately needs receiver help beyond Terry McLaurin, and the Commanders already spent big on defense in free agency. They’re building a new stadium and might love the idea of pairing Daniels with Tate or Tyson to rev up the fanbase.
There might be a more compelling case for the Commanders to take a wideout here, but Styles drew a lot of love from the panel and seems too perfect for Quinn to ignore.
FOX Sports (Brooks)
Adding a sideline-to-sideline playmaker would help the Commanders eliminate some of the explosive plays generated by their opponents. Styles’ speed, quickness and burst not only show up on running plays, but it makes him a disruptive force on blitzes and in coverage.
FOX Sports (Klatt)
Washington needs defense. In this scenario, there are some excellent defensive players on the board. The Commanders would have to be happy that they could get at least one of Sonny Styles or Caleb Downs. They really can’t go wrong picking either one, but they can say to themselves, “You mean we can get a Fred Warner-type?” Styles just blew everyone out of the water at the NFL Scouting Combine. He’s the perfect combination of height, weight and athleticism. He also has versatility in his background, starting out as a safety before moving down to linebacker.
FOX Sports (Rang)
This is another team that I could see considering Tate to spice up its receiver room, but Styles is just too clean of a fit in Dan Quinn’s defense, if available here. Linebackers with Styles’ size and sideline-to-sideline range are rare — his ceiling is as a Fred Warner or Bobby Wagner-type franchise pillar. With just one selection over the first two rounds, the Commanders need to hit on this pick and the remarkably gifted Styles would be exactly that.
NBC Sports (Rogers)
The Commanders spent a lot of money to get younger and better on defense through free agency, but Styles brings a totally different dimension to the middle of that unit.
USA Today (Middlehurst-Schwartz)
With the potential ability to pounce on whoever’s left of Downs, Love and Styles or look to wild cards in cornerback Mansoor Delane or wide receiver Carnell Tate, Washington should have plenty of suitable options here. Yet importing a second-level defender who can clean up everything in front of him is a logical follow-up to the Commanders ramping up their pass rush, so this could be Styles’ floor.
A to Z Sports (Crabbs)
What a delight this is for Dan Quinn to see a prolific prototype at linebacker fall into his lap at No. 7 overall. The front seven has gotten a major overhaul this offseason but a speedy player like this was sorely needed on the second level.
A to Z Sports (Forness)
With Daronte Jones taking over, pressure will be paramount. Sonny Styles Jr. is a perfect player to maximize the likely blitz-heavy approach Jones will use, and his coverage skills will maximize the versatility needed to maximize the scheme.
New York Post (Serby)
A 6-foot-4, 244-pound unicorn for Dan Quinn to fill the void left by Bobby Wagner. Former 49ers GM Adam Peters will liken him to Fred Warner.
NFL Spin Zone (Bedinger)
Veteran Bobby Wagner is gone, and Dan Quinn probably needs to start looking at longer-term solutions anyway. Sonny Styles is a big-time athlete and defensive weapon whose range and athletic traits make him a perfect fit for Quinn. He’d be an outstanding value here for the Commanders, who should be looking to trade down to rack up some more picks in this draft.
Round 3:Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
Round 5: Caden Curry, EDGE, Ohio State
Round 6: Anez Cooper, OL, Miami
Round 6: Adam Randall, RB, Clemson
Round 7: Dallen Bentley, TE, Utah
Clutch Points (Crean)
If Love falls a bit in the 2026 NFL Draft, this could be his floor. If he is off the board, like he is in this NFL mock draft, then the Commanders need to get younger and more athletic on the defensive side of the ball.
Sonny Styles is just about the most athletic player, pound-for-pound, in this class, so Dan Quinn should jump at the chance to draft him. With tight ends and the run game growing in importance on the offensive side, a converted safety-turned-linebacker is now more valuable than it has been in the last decade or so.
NFL Mocks (Harper)
The Commanders staying put at No. 7 and landing Sonny Styles, who has long been in the conversation of the best overall prospects in the class, would be a massive get. Bobby Wagner’s odds of returning are almost nonexistent, making it even more realistic that they jump all over adding the Buckeyes’ captain here.
Draft Sharks (Hallam)
The last off-ball LB selected in the top 10 was Isaiah Simmons in 2021, and Styles looks like the next one. He’s an elite athlete who played safety early in his college career, brings strong coverage, and improved his play diagnosis in 2025. Styles should be the top IDP rookie from this draft as the future clean-up tackler for the Commanders’ defense.
Round 3: Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
Round 5: Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
Round 6: Logan Fano, Edge, Utah
Round 6: Brandon Cleveland, DL, NC State
Round 7: Drew Stevens, K, Iowa
Draft Sharks (Smola)
The Commanders can’t go into QB Jayden Daniels’ third season with Treylon Burks, Van Jefferson, and Co. behind Terry McLaurin. Tate’s downfield skill set would mesh well with Daniels.
NJ.com (Steele)
Styles could become the face of Washington’s defense. He’s a freak athlete who has steadily improved on the field.
SB Nation (Schofield)
Bleacher Report (Davenport)
Rotowire (Puig)
Cards Wire (Root)
Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami
CBS Sports (Wilson)
The Commanders spent free agency beefing up their pass rush, but there’s still room to improve. Bain Jr. is an outlier when you look at the measurables, but he consistently took over games throughout his Miami career.
Buccaneers.com
Dorance Armstrong tore his ACL in the Week Seven loss to the Cowboys last season and Von Miller is still a free agent. The Commanders need a boost in the trenches and take a consensus All-American in Rueben Bain Jr. Bain wins with power, knocking linemen back with jarring hands of steel. He is relentless and overwhelms with bull rushes, chops and rip moves. He can move laterally and accumulated 33.5 tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks over 38 college games played.
SB Nation
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
DetroitLions.com (Twentyman)
A nice break for Washington as arguably the most pro-ready edge rusher falls to them at No. 7. Bailey can step in as a pure edge and make an instant impact as a versatile pass rusher alongside Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson. Bailey has explosive traits that match his production of 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss for the Red Raiders this past season.
Trade down
Last Man Standig
Chiefs receive: #7(Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami), #223
Commanders receive: #9(Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU), #109, 2027 3rd-round pickFirst, let’s talk about the trade. Washington did not land another top-100 selection — but don’t turn that into a negative headline. This year’s talent pool begins flattening out late in Round 1, leading to the class’s sweet spot in the third-to-fourth-round range. The Commanders also land a desired asset with a 2027 Day 2 selection, all for moving down two spots.
Would GM Adam Peters have been better off staying put for Bain or safety Caleb Downs? Arguments can be made, sure. And yet, Delane would have been my call at seven as long as Styles and Love were gone, though passing on Downs legit hurts my football soul.
Like much of the roster, Washington’s current cornerback room is passable. Lining up LSU’s first All-American since Joe Burrow on the outside across from 2025 second-round pick Trey Amos would change that. Similar arguments could be made for safety and receiver, and teams can never have enough pass rushers.
The tipping point: Delane is the top prospect at a premium position, whose unofficial 4.35 40-yard dash at his Pro Day would have been the second-fastest at the Combine. His height (under 6-foot-0), weight (187 lbs), and arm length (30 inches) are not top-shelf. My personal preference — which means absolutely nothing — probably leans toward Downs (draft analyst Dane Brugler’s evaluation — video below — carries more weight, and he also chose the Ohio State safety).
But Delane’s speed, fluidity, and competitiveness make up for any concerns in coverage, and he’s a closer fit to the athletic profile Peters has targeted over his first two drafts.
NBC Sports Philadelphia (Mulhern)
Rams receive: #7(Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State)
Commanders receive: #13(Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami), #61, 2027 4th-round pickAfter moving down, Washington makes off with an absolute dog in Bain. He was the guiding force on a Miami defense that nearly won a national title and will be a problem twice a year for the Eagles.
The Big Lead (Morrison)
Chiefs receive: #7(Arvell Reese, Ohio State), #147
Commanders receive: #19(Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State), #74, #176After trading down, Washington still lands a defensive cornerstone. Downs brings versatility and immediate impact.
Athlon Sports (Easterling)
Commanders receive #16(Omar Cooper Jr, WR, Indiana), #45
Jets select Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State at #7
There are still some big needs on defense, but after moving back and replacing their missing second-round pick, the Commanders opt for a dynamic pass-catcher to pair with Terry McLaurin and help out Jayden Daniels.
Fantasy Pros (Fanelli)
Commanders receive #16(Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State), #44, #103
Jets select Makai Lemon, WR, USC at #7
Unfortunately, Tyson’s medical concerns could lead to a draft-day slide. However, the Commanders could get a steal with this pick after trading back if the former Arizona State star can stay healthy.
Commanders receive #56(Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma), #81
Jaguars select C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia at #44
Round 3: Brian Parker II, OL, Duke
Washington has three starting spots on their offensive line locked in for 2026. Whether at left guard or center, Parker would compete for a starting spot and likely start as a rookie.
Commanders receive #86(Jalon Kilgore, DB, South Carolina), #123
Chargers receive #81(Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee) at #187
The Commanders added Amik Robertson and Nick Cross in free agency. However, they still could use help in the secondary, especially since several of their cornerbacks are on the smaller side. Kilgore would give Washington a big nickel that can match up against all the talented tight ends in the NFC East.
Commanders receive #93(Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington), #232
Chargers receive #103(Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee) at #123
Washington has traded back three times during this mock draft, adding multiple mid-round picks. Therefore, they can part with the two fourth-rounders they got in previous trades to move up and secure Coleman. Pairing him with Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White gives the Commanders a solid trio of options in the backfield.
Underdog Fantasy (Norris/Galko)
Trade up
NBC Sports (Simms)
Commanders trade up to #5 and select Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Giants select Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State at #7
Fansided (La Canfora)
Commanders trade up to #6 for Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
There will be teams interested in some offensive players if the board goes this way. Pairing Love with Jayden Daniels is exactly what Washington needs.
