At 3–7 through 10 weeks, the Commanders find themselves in familiar territory — searching for answers and building blocks for the future.
And while there’s optimism around Jayden Daniels, elsewhere, the roster remains riddled with holes on both sides of the ball.
The Commanders currently hold just six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and if they want to accelerate their path back to relevancy, they’ll need to make every one of them count — or perhaps trade back to stockpile more capital.
Adam Peters’ early draft classes have produced mixed results beyond Daniels, and this upcoming cycle offers another opportunity to lay the foundation for long-term success.
But before diving into potential targets, it’s important to understand what truly drives success during the draft process — fit. Drafting isn’t simply about identifying the most talented player on the board or checking off positional needs. Some teams have that luxury, sure, but it’s about understanding how a player fits into the structure of what a team wants to be, both schematically and culturally.
Every front office, every coaching staff, has its own thresholds — size, speed, length, movement skills, mental processing — that shape the type of roster they build.
For some teams, athletic testing and upside carry heavier weight; for others, it’s quality of film over multiple years in different environments for potential transfers, for small-school prospects, the ability to dominate competition, or position-specific traits that align with system demands. A downhill attacking defense, for example, values different linebacker traits than a zone-heavy one. A West Coast passing offense prioritizes quick footwork and twitch from its receivers, while a vertical system looks for length, power, and explosion up front for linemen.
That’s why “best player available” isn’t always as simple as it sounds. The best player for your system is the one who fits your blueprint — not just physically, but mentally, in how he processes, communicates, and executes. Successful drafting is about minimizing the “square peg in a round hole” approach and instead targeting players who can thrive in the roles they’re being drafted for.
For Washington, still shaping its identity under Peters and Dan Quinn, understanding those thresholds and finding players who fit their long-term vision is crucial. And with such limited capital as of now, each selection must not only add talent, but also align with what the organization wants to become on both sides of the ball.
Here’s a look at six potential fits for Washington — two on each day of the draft — who could help reshape a roster desperate for more talent in all three phases.
Day 1 Targets
Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State
Few defenders in college football have been more disruptive in 2025 than Reese. The Ohio State linebacker/edge hybrid has blossomed into one of the most complete defensive playmakers in the country — a modern chess piece capable of lining up anywhere in the front seven.
At 6-foot-4, 247 pounds (verified measurements), Reese blends an outstanding athletic profile, length, and power with the kind of scheme versatility every defensive coordinator covets.
He can set the edge against the run, blitz from depth, and even match up in space against backs and tight ends. His explosive first step and flexibility allow him to bend the corner like an edge rusher, while his read-and-react ability resemble those of a high-end off-ball linebacker.
The comparisons have been lofty — some see shades of Micah Parsons or Abdul Carter due to his versatility, others liken his range and twitch to Packers LB Edgerrin Cooper — but Reese’s tape backs it up.
If Washington remains in the top ten of the draft, Reese would immediately inject a dynamic presence into Quinn’s defense. His ability to rush, cover, and fly around to the football makes him the kind of foundational piece this front seven desperately needs.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
On the other side of the Buckeyes’ program lies another first-round talent in Tate, one of the most polished wide receivers in the country.
At nearly any other school, Tate would be the unquestioned WR1 — but in Columbus, he shares the spotlight with Jeremiah Smith who will be a top-five pick in 2027.
But that hasn’t stopped Tate from flashing everything scouts want in an NFL receiver. He’s a technician as a route-runner, with fluid movement skills, strong hands, and elite body control at the catch point. He wins vertically with acceleration and timing, but he’s equally dangerous on intermediate routes, where his understanding of leverage and space makes him a quarterback’s best friend.
Washington’s wide receiver room, regardless of Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel’s presence, remains unsettled, and Tate would provide a young, high-ceiling option to pair with Daniels for years to come.
Day 2 Targets
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
A transfer from Stanford, Bailey has been one of the most productive defenders (66 pressures, 12 sacks in 10 games) in the country for a Texas Tech defense that’s quietly been among the nation’s best.
His name continues to rise among scouts, and while some teams believe he’ll crack as high as the mid first-round conversation, he currently projects, in most conversations with teams, in the early Day 2 range.
Bailey’s game is defined by length, flexibility, and controlled violence. He’s built like an NFL pass rusher — 6’3”, 250-plus pounds with long arms and burst off the edge. What makes him special is his ability to win both inside and outside, and he’s powerful enough to collapse a pocket through contact and agile enough to beat tackles clean around the arc.
Washington’s defensive line has bodies to limit the run when healthy, but Bailey could offer the kind of rotational, scheme-diverse pass rusher they need push the pocket in isolated reps.
If he were on the roster today with how the current roster stands, he would be Washington’s best pass-rusher.
Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor
After bouncing from USC to Ole Miss, Trigg has finally found his stride at Baylor, emerging as one of the country’s top flex weapons in 2025. A former four-star recruit, his size-speed combination has long intrigued scouts, but his production and maturity have finally caught up to the talent.
At 6’3”, Trigg plays like a wide receiver trapped in a tight end’s body. He can flex out wide, attack seams, and create mismatches against safeties and linebackers alike. For Washington, he represents a potential solution to one of their biggest offensive questions.
With Zach Ertz nearing the end of his career, John Bates continuing to serve as a dominant in-line blocker (Y-TE), and Ben Sinnott struggling to find his footing in the role they drafted him to serve (flex weapon), the Commanders lack a matchup weapon at the position. Trigg would instantly provide that element — a modern move piece who can stretch defenses vertically and give Daniels another trusted target.
Day 3 Targets
Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
More talent in the middle. If Washington doesn’t feel Kain Medrano can play the position at the NFL level, and Jordan Magee doesn’t take the steps in their eyes, they could find real value in Rodriguez, another standout from Texas Tech’s defense.
Rodriguez isn’t the most athletic linebacker in the draft, but he’s one of the most instinctive, physical, and bottom line — he’s a just a flat out good football player.
He diagnoses plays quickly, takes efficient angles, and finishes tackles with authority, his eyes are fast, his feet stay patient, and his motor runs hot on every snap. Rodriguez’s coverage instincts are particularly appealing also — he reads quarterbacks well, understands spacing in zone, and isn’t afraid to trigger downhill and meet a running back in a gap.
For a defense that’s lacked consistent play at the second level, Rodriguez brings reliability and leadership — two traits that often translate quickly to special teams and rotational roles before blossoming into starting duties.
Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
The Commanders’ secondary remains one of their biggest question marks, and finding fresh talent on day three should be a priority.
At 6’1”, 195 pounds, Lee offers ideal boundary corner traits — long, fluid, and confident in press coverage. He competes through the catch point, is extremely comfortable playing with his back to the quarterback, and isn’t afraid to mix it up in run support — his physicality and instincts have made him a common talking point among scouts that have been through College Station this fall.
Washington’s corners room has some young ballplayers that have flashed in spurts (Amos and Sainristil), but more talent is needed at the position.
For the Commanders, the 2026 NFL Draft represents more than just another offseason — it’ll be a defining moment for the Peters-Quinn era. With limited capital, clean evals and calculated risk-taking will be essential.
Washington’s next step begins with identifying players who can build a sustainable foundation, fit what you want to do on either side of the ball.
A few other names to know that have remained popular among scouts, and potentially fit what Washington’s current brass has prioritized on Draft Weekend:
Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson (Day 1)
Florida State SAF Earl Little Jr (Day 3)
Alabama EDGE LT Overton (Late Day 1)
Duke DB Chandler Rivers (Early Day 2)
Oklahoma EDGE R Mason Thomas (Day 2)
USC LB Eric Gentry (Day 3)
LSU LB Whit Weeks (Day 3)
Michigan RB Justice Haynes (Day 3)
LSU SAF AJ Haulcy (Day 2)
Georgia DB Daylen Everette (Day 2)
NC State TE Justin Joly (Day 2)
Georgia TE Oscar Delp (Day 3)
Arizona State DB Keith Abney II (Day 2)