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Shock 2026 Mock Draft Links Commanders To Game Breaking Wide Receiver

Bonisiwe Shabane
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shock 2026 mock draft links commanders to game breaking wide receiver

When is it too early to start talking about next year's NFL Draft? The answer, from a writer's standpoint, is never. It's the middle of July. Free agency has all but come to a standstill, and offseason workouts are now complete until training camp. Let's face it, there's not much happening in the NFL world, so we might as well look ahead. The Washington Commanders will have high expectations in 2025 after their surprise run to the NFC Championship, meaning that ideally they'll be selecting near the end of the first round of the 2026 NFL...

One name has already emerged as an early option. This week, Brent Sobleski from The Bleacher Report put together a mock draft and also examined some of the top high school prospects who could take college football by storm. This is a slightly different concept from most ordinary mocks, as it frames the draft as if it were the MLB or NHL formats, where teams are incentivized to take long-term swings on players... Nevertheless, the projected pick for the Commanders with the No. 27 overall pick is a player who will be eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft and should be one of the top players at his position in the class. That would be Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, described by Sobleski as "A natural separator with the ability to create after the catch."

Regardless of what occurs between the Washington Commanders and Terry McLaurin, you can bet that adding a wide receiver will be a top priority for general manager Adam Peters next offseason. McLaurin and the Commanders remain locked in a contract standoff just over two weeks before the start of the regular season. While there has been movement in getting McLaurin back onto the practice field, the same can't be said for contract talks. The two sides remain far apart. McLaurin, who turns 30 next month, aims to become one of the NFL's highest-paid receivers, mirroring the contract DK Metcalf recently signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Commanders aren't willing to go that high, citing his age and the decline of receivers who've signed big contracts at 30 or older.

Both sides still want to get a deal done, and McLaurin is under contract for 2025. Even if Washington and McLaurin come to terms on a new deal, a receiver will be a priority in the 2026 NFL draft. During his time as assistant GM in San Francisco, the 49ers spent two first-round picks on a wide receiver. They also used a second-round pick on current Commander, Deebo Samuel, who is also a free agent at season's end. In an early 2026 mock draft for ESPN, Field Yates has the Commanders picking a wide receiver in the first round: Alabama star Germie Bernard. There are still seven games remaining for the Washington Commanders in 2025.

But with the season spiraling into irrelevancy when much more was expected, some sections of the fan base are already looking ahead to what promises to be a pivotal offseason for general manager Adam... The front-office leader has a significant amount of hard work ahead. Washington has roster holes everywhere you look. Peters' gamble to run it back with most of the squad that achieved so much in 2024 has backfired. A disastrous run of luck on the injury front hasn't helped, but it's clear that this squad, as presently constructed, isn't capable of reaching the heights fans anticipated. Peters could have over $100 million to spend in free agency, and he'd be wise to use every cent before Year 3 of quarterback Jayden Daniels' rookie contract.

The Commanders stood pat at the 2025 trade deadline, which was surprising to most, leaving Peters with only six selections in next year's draft to utilize. Not exactly ideal, but the former San Francisco 49ers executive will have to make the best out of a bad situation. Using the Pro Football Network simulator, we took a look at how the Commanders could approach their selections in our latest seven-round 2026 NFL mock draft. It's no secret that the Washington Commanders need to get more explosive on the defensive edge. Only Dorance Armstrong Jr. is guaranteed to be back next season, but even the ascending defensive end is in the final year of his deal in 2026.

Led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Washington Commanders played in the NFC Championship game in 2024. Big things were expected in 2025, but injuries had other ideas. Now 3-6, the Commanders are on the outside looking in on the NFC playoff picture, and it's been a lost season for Daniels due to injuries, including a dislocated elbow last week. The biggest storyline of Washington's offseason was wide receiver Terry McLaurin's contract standoff. While McLaurin and the Commanders eventually settled on a three-year extension two weeks before the season opener, it took him missing OTAs, training camp and the preseason. Unsurprisingly, McLaurin injured his quad in Week 3, returned in Week 8, and will be out for his sixth game on Sunday when Washington hosts the Detroit Lions.

It's been that type of season for the Commanders. And Washington's lack of depth at wide receiver is more glaring than ever. While we are still months away from the 2026 NFL draft, the Commanders look like a contender for a top-10 pick, which could land them one of the draft's top receiver prospects. In a new mock draft for The Athletic, Nick Baumgardner has Washington selecting Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson with the No. 9 overall pick. The Commanders could go with an edge in Round 1, but Jayden Daniels still needs a big-time, future No.

1 receiver who can help set a tone for the rest of the offense. And Tyson is the most complete WR in this draft. He blocks, and wins both in the air and underneath. Tyson does everything — and does it well. The Washington Commanders have one of the most stacked offenses in the NFL. Nevertheless, even the best things can be improved.

Additionally, with the uncertainty surrounding wide receiver Terry McLaurin, the team must ensure that quarterback Jayden Daniels has the necessary weapons to succeed. With that in mind, Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report thinks the Commanders will continue to bolster their offense in the 2026 NFL Draft by selecting a wide receiver. “Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson can provide a legitimate long-term target for Daniels. The two can grow together over an extended period of time, because Tyson is a natural separator with the ability to create after the catch. Tyson was a terror by the end of the 2024 season. Before suffering a season-ending injury, the wide receiver caught 36 passes for 543 yards and five touchdowns during his final four appearances.

He can build on that strong late-season performance, while staying healthy, to possibly take advantage of what may be perceived as a weak wide receiver class,” Sobleski wrote. Sun Devils in D.C.? It might end up being a thing for the Washington Commanders. Pro Football Network’s latest mock draft predicts Washington will continue to build around Pro Bowl quarterback Jayden Daniels — a former Arizona State star — by drafting current Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson... 27 overall) of the 2026 NFL draft. Tyson is coming off a breakout season for the Sun Devils in 2024 with 75 receptions for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games.

He helped lead Arizona State into the College Football Playoff for the first time and was named All-Big 12 and Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year. The Commanders are currently in a bit of a tempest at wide receiver with NFL All-Pro Terry McLaurin currently staying away from offseason workouts as he seeks a contract extension that could make him... From PFN: “Considering how the Washington Commanders are handling Terry McLaurin’s contract, it may be a sign they need to look for younger options at receiver. Regardless, having a reliable target like Jordyn Tyson would take Washington’s offense to another level.” The Titans could use more blocking protection for Cam Ward. The 6-foot-6, 310-pound Fano has a lot of talent and has played well at tackle for the Utes.

He has been a versatile tackle with 11 starts at left tackle and 13 at right tackle heading into the 2025 season. For the most part, Fano played on the left side in 2023 and on the right side in 2024. Fano is fast, athletic, and plays with a mean streak. He is a force as a run blocker and shows a lot of athleticism to take away speed rushers. A lot of teams could fall in love with his tape. Unless Tyler Shough impresses over the final two months of the season, New Orleans will be looking for a true franchise quarterback.

Simpson has been phenomenal in 2025, leading the Crimson Tide to some big wins against tough opponents. In 2025, Simpson has completed 67 percent of his passes for 2,461 yards with 21 touchdowns, an interception, and two rushing touchdowns. Simpson has shown some serious arm talent, making some beautiful throws downfield with superb ball placement to beat tight coverage. In tight games, Simpson made some great passes to lead his team to wins over Georgia and Missouri. Simpson is accurate, smart, has a strong arm, and throws with timing and anticipation. Simpson has shown superb ball security this season as well, with excellent decision-making.

The Giants grab a right tackle to help protect Jaxson Dart. The 6-foot-8, 309-pounder World dominated at Nevada, and if he plays as well at Oregon, he could skyrocket for the 2025 NFL Draft. As a pass blocker, World has a natural build with good size, strength, and length to play on the edge. He does a nice job of sinking his weight to stop bull rushes, and he shows an impressive ability to kill speed to power attempts. World does an excellent job of sustaining his blocks with the upper body strength to tie up defenders. In the ground game, World uses his strong upper body to knock defenders back and push them around.

He has real power at the point of attack and blocks with a mean streak. With overwhelming mass, he can knock defenders flat on their backs and will bury them with a violent pancake block. The Browns take their next hope for a franchise quarterback. Mendoza has completed 71 percent of his passes for 2,342 yards with 26 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has two rushing touchdowns as well. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder has a quality arm, reads the field well, makes good decisions, and has dangerous pocket passing ability.

Mendoza played well for Cal in 2024. He completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,004 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. Mendoza has good size, and it will be interesting to see how he develops at Indiana. The Jets grab a franchise quarterback to build around. Moore has been a dynamic point-producer for the Ducks in 2025, making plays with his arm and legs. In 2025, Moore has completed 71 percent of his passes for 1,884 yards with 19 touchdowns and five interceptions.

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