The Washington Commanders were expected to be in prime playoff contention 11 games into the 2025 season. Instead, head coach Dan Quinn's squad is 3-8 after a torrid campaign so far.
Everything that could have gone wrong for the Commanders this season has gone wrong. Injuries have decimated the squad. Adam Peters' decision to run it back with the large majority of last year's roster has blown up in his face. Younger players who looked poised to break out have plateaued or regressed. The NFL's oldest roster has looked exactly that, and there is an enormous amount of hard work ahead this offseason.
Of course, there is one silver lining, especially for the draft enthusiasts.
After the Commanders picked at No. 29 overall this year, they look primed for a top-10 pick in 2026, barring an unforeseen turnaround. Although disappointing, it places some elite-level prospects firmly on Peters' radar during what promises to be a critical assessment phase before the big night.
With this in mind, here are seven blue-chip 2026 draft prospects suddenly rocketing into Washington's sights after the team's disastrous campaign, when much more was expected.
Blue-chip draft prospects rocketing onto the Commanders' radar after dismal 2025 season
Commanders could draft Jeremiyah Love
Running Back | Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Taking a running back in the top 10 is rare these days. Ashton Jeanty was the latest this year. But unfortunately for him, he landed on the lowly Las Vegas Raiders.
Jeremiyah Love looks set to add his name to the list if he declares in 2026. The Notre Dame prospect has taken college football by storm this season, rushing for 1,306 yards and 17 touchdowns, somehow topping his extraordinary 2024 numbers along the way. He's also enhancing his route-running out of the backfield, making him a significant dual-threat capable of taking the NFL by storm from the moment he steps onto the field.
Love's vision, patience, and explosiveness make him a rare prospect. His contact balance is already elite, and he has proven credentials when it comes to putting a team on his back. He's not going to last long in the first round, but whether the Commanders have the means to pick a running back with so many holes elsewhere is another matter.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jacory Croskey-Merritt have shown enough to be part of Washington's future beyond 2025. Love clears them both by some margin, but this might be a luxury Peters can't afford in the Commanders' current state.