There are many variations for the Washington Commanders’ first pick in the draft. And it seems like almost every analyst has a different “must do this” opinion. But let’s look at the whole picture, and here is the Commanders’ 2026 NFL Mock Draft for all six picks.
To make sense of the Commanders’ cluttered array of potential draft roads, we’re going with the first pick — at No. 7 overall — that works if no surprise defensive stud falls into their laps.
Round 1, Pick 7: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
It’s very hard to figure out what the Commanders will do at pick No. 7. They don’t have a set-in-stone position they won’t stray from. They don’t even have it locked down to offense or defense.
If a surprise drop of someone like Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese falls to them, the Commanders will go that direction. Ditto for edge rusher David Bailey of Texas Tech. Hopefully, they have enough foresight to put Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr. and Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles in that same boat. But all four of those guys could be gone.
So that means a pivot to Love. He would create a dynamic backfield duo that few NFL teams could match. And defenses would struggle to create workable game plans to stop them, according to The Athletic.
“A backfield that includes Jayden Daniels and Love would be bad news for defenses,” Dane Brugler wrote. “Though the price tag is high for the position, Love has the talent to become a top-five running back before the end of his rookie contract.”
One thing that should be considered is fan buzz. After last year’s hugely disappointing season, the Commanders need to convince their fan base that this is an exciting product on the field. Daniels and Love, in combination, will do that. A cornerback or a safety would not.
Therefore, while LSU’s Mansoor Delane or Tennessee Jermod McCoy might be tempting to pick as cornerbacks, the Commanders will choose the best offensive weapon available. They simply have to make things easier for Daniels, so he can get the ball into the hands of playmakers without trying to do it all himself.
Round 3, pick 71: Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
The Commanders go right back to South Bend and grab another offensive weapon. Once again, it takes pressure off of Daniels.
Fields, 6-foot-4 and 218 pounds, has starting lineup potential, according to NFL.com
“Boundary ‘X’ receiver who uses elite size and strength to bully defensive backs,” Lance Zierlein wrote. “…. His tape was filled with impressive moments. He’s best suited for an offense that allows him to get from Point A to Point B while using his frame/ball skills to dominate the work space and win in the air.
“He can be a slow starter versus press and lives on contested targets. But he moves the chains on tight-window throws and consistently tilts 50/50 balls in his direction outside the numbers.”
This is a great fit for the Commanders’ offense with Terry McLaurin on the other side. McLaurin isn’t a beast. So the Commanders need that complement on the outside. They have Treylon Burks, but he hasn’t shown NFL starting ability in his four seasons.
There’s another guy in play here if Fields is off the board. And it’s small-school noise maker Ted Hurst of Georgia State, according to The Athletic.
Round 5, pick 147: LB Aiden Fisher, Indiana
There’s a lot to like about Fisher, who brings effort and enthusiasm to the field, according to The Athletic.
“Fisher will be a well-liked prospect by evaluators and coaches who appreciate linebackers that play with their hair on fire,” Brugler wrote. “He plays fast, alert, and physical to make an impact both between the tackles and outside the numbers. He embraces the dirty work and is at his best swarming downhill, although his overaggressive nature will lead to misses.
“Fisher looks small at times on film, but he is equal parts athletic and tough, and his play personality should make him an easy sell in a war room.”
Round 6, pick 187: CB Andre Fuller, Toledo
Yes, this is very late to address a position of need. But Fuller gives them a chance for a sleeper hit, according to NFL Draft Buzz.
“Fuller has prototypical size for a boundary corner, legitimate speed, and a brand of press-man physicality that NFL coaches drool over on paper,” NFL Draft Buzz wrote. “His senior film at Toledo showed clear growth in coverage, particularly in how aggressively he attacked the catch point and how well he disrupted timing from the line of scrimmage.”
Round 6, pick 209: TE Dae’Quan Wright, Ole Miss
The reason the Commanders would go this direction is because of their desire to get faster for 2026. And that may be Wright’s best quality, according to NFL.com.
“Wright is a high-cut, tight-hipped tight end who can stretch the field vertically but lacks fluidity and bend for crisp route breaks from speed,” Zierlein wrote. “He builds speed to threaten defenses, working the vertical limbs of the route tree. He can gain an advantage on linebackers when aligned outside. He’s big and strong enough to improve as a run blocker, but needs better technique and commitment in that area.”
Round 7, pick 223: OT Alan Herron, Maryland
It’s never too late to find depth on the offensive line. And that’s what Herron can bring to the team. Herron is the type of project player who could exceed expectations because he has the tools, according to NFL.com.
“Herron has NFL size and length, but the fundamentals and technique are far from finished products,” Zierlein wrote. “He figures to show quick improvement if he can receive concentrated coaching. Herron could be drafted late, but without more grit and finishing ability, it will be hard to persevere against NFL competition.”
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