The Washington Commanders are now 3-8 after a defeat to the Miami Dolphins. There are still six games left to navigate after the bye week. Still, fans have already turned their attention to what promises to be a tenure-defining offseason for general manager Adam Peters.
This roster has a ton of holes. A plethora of experienced starters are out of contract. The need to get younger is glaring, and the Commanders could have around $100 million in available salary-cap space they need to use wisely.
Peters only has six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft after standing pat at the trade deadline. That makes things more difficult, but it seems, for all the smart money, as if the Commanders are going to have a high-end first-rounder to either take a blue-chip prospect or trade back for more selections.
It's an interesting dilemma for Peters. The need to focus on defensive reinforcements cannot be overstated, and this looks like a good draft to accomplish this feat upon further examination of the prospects set to declare.
Commanders roll the dice with Caleb Downs in 2026 NFL mock draft
Cody Williams from FanSided agrees. He thought the Commanders would be wise to consider Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with their top 10 pick, which currently sits at No. 7 overall through Week 11. The analyst cited his playmaking and versatility as traits that could instantly transform Washington's defense, providing a spark that's been sorely lacking this season.
"The same is true with Washington, whose aging defense has been a point of concern all year, even before the Jayden Daniels injury. Injecting life into that unit with Caleb Downs could work wonders for the secondary, especially with the Ohio State star's versatility."
Cody Williams
Downs is an exceptional talent. One can point to positional value as a reason not to take him in the top 10, but that does not detract from how special the defensive back could be in the right environment.
The Commanders desperately need help on the backend. Quan Martin's breakout campaign has failed to materialize. Jeremy Reaves, Percy Butler, and Tyler Owens look more like backup special teamers. Will Harris should be back, but that shouldn't stop Washington from picking Downs if other needs are met in free agency.
Changes are coming, but in what capacity remains to be seen. However, if the Commanders did pull the trigger on Downs, that would place Martin firmly on the chopping block in the final year of his rookie deal.