2026 Nfl Mock Draft Has Washington Commanders Rebuilding Their Msn

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 17, 2025, 4:10 AM

2026 nfl mock draft has washington commanders rebuilding their msn

Although the 2026 NFL Draft seems like a long way off for Washington Commanders fans right now, those behind the scenes are already devising scouting reports and shortlists before the all-important assessment phase arrives. And when that time comes, fans will have complete faith in Adam Peters. The general manager has done a remarkable job with the Commanders' roster so far. Peters has been forced to rely on experience after some woeful drafts from the previous head coach, Ron Rivera. It's brought the required improvements, but it wasn't his desired path when he took the job. Peters can turn this around by stacking good drafts.

That's the best way to build a sustainable contender, and the returns from his first two classes are encouraging. Hitting on quarterback Jayden Daniels changed everything for this franchise. However, several others are starting to emerge as potential cornerstones for good measure. Another strong draft from Peters in 2026 would be the crowning jewel in his master plan. According to the Pro Football and Sports Network, the Commanders could have eight picks at their disposal if their compensatory projections are accurate. Most of these are in the later rounds after some frantic trade activity, but there is no one more qualified than Washington's front-office leader to find diamonds in the rough.

Using the PFSN simulator, we took an early look at how the Commanders could spend these picks in our seven-round mock draft. There is a long way to go and a lot of football to come before the 2026 NFL Draft. But make no mistake, general manager Adam Peters' accomplished front-office staff will already be analyzing college football's latest stars before the all-important assessment process. The Washington Commanders don't have much in the way of picks once again. They are slated to have just five selections after some frantic trade activity during the offseason. That reduces the margin for error, but Peters has already proven capable of doing more with less.

Needs will change depending on how things unfold in the coming months. But for now, we took a look at some early perceptions in a seven-round 2026 mock draft using the Pro Football Network simulator. Bobby Wagner is a phenomenal player, but he isn't getting any younger. The Commanders need to find a long-term replacement for the future Pro Football Hall of Famer. Adding Anthony Hill Jr. would solve more problems than one.

Hill is a dynamic second-level presence. The Texas standout is explosive to the contact point, is a legitimate sideline-to-sideline presence, and can make things happen in pass-rushing situations. Placing him next to Frankie Luvu would instantly be a ferocious tandem if this is Wagner's final season. The Washington Commanders have arrived in Madrid, Spain, to take on the Miami Dolphins in Week 11 of the NFL season, and they do so with plenty on the line and even more changes... Quarterback Jayden Daniels didn’t travel with the team so he could stay back and focus on his rehab from the dislocated left elbow he suffered two weeks ago. Additionally, defensive tackle Daron Payne is suspended, and head coach Dan Quinn is now pulling double-duty as the Commanders’ defensive coordinator after demoting coach Joe Whitt Jr.

If that wasn’t enough to put pressure on Washington, which is very much intending on competing as much as possible down the back half of the year, it currently sits nearly at the top... Instead, most folks talking about the team these days are focused on their new player aspirations, including NFL.com’s Chad Reuter, who says, “During their five-game losing streak, the Commanders have produced just seven total... They need to bring in a young difference-maker off the edge.” During their five-game losing streak, the Commanders have produced just seven total sacks -- zero in Sunday's loss to the Lions -- which... They need to bring in a young difference-maker off the edge. The Washington Commanders finally settled on a contract extension with wide receiver Terry McLaurin that will keep him with the team until 2029. There are currently five wide receivers on the team, but both Noah Brown and Deebo Samuel will be free agents in 2026.

That leaves only McLaurin, Jaylin Lane, and Luke McCaffrey as the team's receivers heading into the 2026 season. Obviously, the Commanders could attempt to keep both Brown and Samuel via contract extensions, but they also need to continue to add youth to that group. Adding youth to the receivers' room is important enough that CBS Sports predicts, in their 2026 preseason mock draft, that the Commanders will select wide receiver Carnell Tate out of Ohio State. Terry McLaurin has officially signed his extension with the Commanders, and now Jayden Daniels gets another offensive weapon. Carnell Tate is a smooth mover with a large catch radius who can make plays after the catch as well. If you've watched Tate over the last two years at Ohio State, you already know he would be a fantastic fit with Jayden Daniels.

It's no secret the Washington Commanders need an infusion of youth on defense, specifically, at edge rusher. Heading into last offseason, edge rusher was listed as a primary need for Washington. Instead of devoting significant resources to the position, Washington did not overspend in free agency on an edge rusher and followed its draft board in the 2025 NFL draft. Ultimately, the Commanders signed future Hall of Famer Von Miller this summer. Washington didn't expect Miller to be a full-time player, but instead provide some help in obvious passing situations. Miller has played well, recording four sacks through seven games in a part-time role.

Washington's top pass rusher, Dorance Armstrong, was lost for the season after injuring his knee in Sunday's loss to the Cowboys. Armstrong's 5.5 sacks lead the Commanders, and his injury is the latest blow to the position. Washington has already lost defensive ends Deatrich Wise and Javontae Jean-Baptiste for the season. Currently 3-4, the Commanders are on pace to land a top-15 pick in the 2026 NFL draft. As we approach the midway point of the current NFL season, it's already mock draft season. Mike Renner of CBS recently unveiled his latest mock draft, which has Washington selecting at No.

13 overall. Renner's pick: Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. The offseason has been generous for the Washington Commanders here in 2025, much similar to that of what the franchise was able to do this time last year. A new stadium is seemingly in the works, and the Commanders have also had a successful offseason by acquiring talent on the field through free agency, trades, and the NFL Draft. Entering the second season with the new regime, headed by head coach Dan Quinn and Rookie of the Year quarterback Jayden Daniels, they will be tasked with having a target on their back after... There is no doubt that this new era of Commanders' football is up to the task, but it is intriguing to see where things can continue to go even if they aren't able to...

Unfortunately for Commanders' fans, in Pro Football Focus' way-too-early 2026 NFL mock draft, they don't reach the heights they did from a year ago, as they would pick 24th overall in the first round. However, despite the hurt of not going deep in the playoffs, PFF does have Washington bolstering their edge position by selecting a freak athlete out of Alabama in LT Overton. If you buy something from a link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement. One last mock draft roundup? Yes one last mock draft roundup, this time looking at the way too early projections for Washington’s 1st round draft pick in 2026.

The mock drafters think Washington will be successful again next season, with a draft range from #1 - #11. Vegas has also set expectations below average with a starting line of 9.5 wins for Washington in 2025. Super Bowl odds are currently at +1800. The Commanders had 5 picks going into this year’s draft, and added 5 players with no trade downs. Washington had several needs entering last week’s draft, but Adam Peters said the first three picks were the highest-rated players on their board. Those positions were OT, CB, and WR; positions that were considered needs going into the draft.

This roundup has 43 way too early 2026 mock drafts and 13 of them feature RBs. Washington drafted Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the 7th round, and he is the only running back who will be under contract after this season(Chris Rodriguez Jr. is a restricted free agent). Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love and Penn State’s Nicholas Singleton are popular choices to be the Commanders’ new feature back. The one position that Washington got knocked the most for not drafting this year was EDGE/DE, and that is the second-most mocked position for the Commanders in this roundup. There are 8 different players over 11 different mock drafts.

Washington is expected to sign a veteran free agent after not drafting one, but they will likely be looking to get younger at the position next year. The Washington Commanders enter this season with some question marks. They seem to be all set on the offensive side of the field, or at least that will be the case if they manage to sort things out with Terry McLaurin. Then again, that’s not the case on defense. With that in mind, Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report predicted they will look to address that situation in next year’s NFL Draft. In his latest article, he had Adam Peters rolling the dice on Texas A&M standout Cashius Howell with the no.

2026 Nfl Mock Draft Has Washington Commanders Rebuilding Their Msn

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