The Washington Commanders hit free agency hard, and they’ve set themselves up for having a shot at fixing their remaining problems in the draft. But what do the experts think? Here is the Commanders’ 2026 NFL Mock Draft roundup with the pre-draft cycle ending.
Of course, the Commanders might decide to make a trade. They could move down and potentially re-add that missing second-round pick.
But if they stand pat at No. 7, let’s see what directions they might consider.
WR Carnell Tate, Ohio St.
This is a potential home-run pick because the Commanders need a wide receiver, and Tate is the best available.
“After filling a lot of their major defensive holes in NFL free agency, the Commanders can now turn their attention to helping out Jayden Daniels,” Crean wrote. “While they would love it if (Jeremiyah) Love were still here at seven, they’ll settle for the next best thing, which is the top WR in this class. In Carnell Tate, they get another Ohio State wideout to pair with Terry McLaurin and, hopefully, help take some of the pressure off of Daniels after his injury-plagued sophomore season.”
EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com; Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
This is the best direction the Commanders can go. If he’s on the board, they have to make this leap of faith that his incredible game belies his arm length.
“Washington was aggressive to fill needs at edge rusher in free agency,” Jeremiah wrote. “Bain has the versatility to play from the edge on early downs and then slide inside in sub packages, making him a nice complement to Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson.”
LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Todd McShay, The Ringer; Charles Davis, NFL.com; Staff, Bleacher Report; Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
There’s a lot to love about Styles. He could fill the void left by the likely departing Bobby Wagner. It’s not a splashy pick, but a solid one.
“Linebacker isn’t as big a need for the Commanders as guard, running back, or wide receiver, but Styles would pair beautifully with newly acquired LB Leo Chenal,” McShay wrote. “Styles is a physical phenom. (He) has elite cover skills. And while his pass-rush productions an efficiency often get overlooked, the 2024 tape is pretty (expletive) good.”
Davis added, “The Commanders must get younger and quicker on defense. The dynamic Styles could replace Bobby Wagner or learn from the six-time first-team All-Pro if Washington re-signs him.”
And Bleacher Report wrote, “Ohio State’s Sonny Styles is the most athletically gifted linebacker to ever enter the NFL ranks–which isn’t hyperbole after posting a perfect relative athletic score at this year’s NFL combine, according to Kent Lee Platte.”
RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Field Yates, ESPN; Jacob Infante, Pro Football Network
The dream scenario? It seems very unlikely Love will fall this far. But that’s what Yates thinks.
“I’d argue the floor of Love would be at No. 7, as this would be a home run move for the Commanders with their only pick of the first two rounds,” Yates wrote. “Love is the most dynamic offensive player in this class, running a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the combine and averaging 10.4 yards per catch in 2025. He would immediately alleviate pressure on quarterback Jayden Daniels, also adding value as a pass protector.”
Infante said Love could be the top overall prospect in the draft.
Excluding positional value, Jeremiyah Love has a strong argument towards being the top overall prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“He’s an explosive runner who combines sound decision-making between the tackles with elite speed, quick feet, and the ability to change direction, along with toughness that shows up both in the run game and as a receiver after the catch,” Infante wrote. “A backfield with Daniels and Love would be very difficult for opposing NFL defenses to stop.”
S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
This would be the least exciting move the Commanders could make. But if he’s the best available, they might go with Downs.
“The signing of Nick Cross won’t prevent the Commanders from adding a versatile, high-IQ safety to the rotation to produce more splash plays from the secondary,” Brooks wrote.
CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
A fresh perspective puts the Commanders in touch with the possible No. 1 cornerback on the board.
“The Commanders have two short but tenacious corners in Amik Robertson and Mike Sainristil, and hope to get a healthy Trey Amos back after he sustained a broken fibula in Week 10 last season,” Reuter wrote. “Delane, the class’ top cover corner, gives Dan Quinn size outside and allows him to stick with man coverage more frequently.”
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