The Washington Commanders aggressive free agency cycle this offseason has cleared a path in the draft for the selection of WR Carnell Tate at #7 overall.
The Commanders came into the new league year with a couple of clear intentions. First, add some teeth to the front of the defense while upgrading at secondary and linebacker. Second, continue to build out the offense around Jayden Daniels and find a way to maximize his potential.
Washington wasted no time in addressing both of these points by attacking free agency. In return, they opened the board up for multiple options in the draft with their first-round pick.
Washington Commanders Free Agency Clears Path
GM Adam Peters broke out the notebook and created a shopping list. For the defense, the Commanders landed EDRs Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson, LB Leo Chenal, FS Nick Cross, CB Amik Robertson and a rotational DL in Tim Settle. While adding a rookie edge rusher with their first pick is still a strong possibility, the signing of Oweh and Chaisson give the Commanders the opportunity to look at other options.
Offensively, they upgraded at TE with Chigoziem Okonkwo, added RB depth in Rachaad White and Jerome Ford, and re-signed veterans Marcus Mariota, Treylon Burks, Van Jefferson, and Dyami Brown. The line was given some stability with Laremy Tunsil’s 2-year extension along with the resigning of Andrew Wylie, Nick Allegretti. They did lose out on bringing back C Tyler Biadasz, so the work on the line is incomplete.
Now, the WR room looks like it may have the greatest need for an infusion of high ceiling talent. Terry McLaurin is the obvious WR1. But every other player set of mitts in the room feels like a bit player in the bigger picture. Add in the idea that Terry is going into his age 30 season and the need to upgrade the room is obvious.
Why Carnell Tate Could be the Pick
The 6-3, 195-pound junior out of Ohio State enters the draft as a near consensus #1 overall WR prospect. After a 2025 campaign that included 51 receptions, 875 yards, and 9 touchdowns in just 11 games (missed three with a calf strain), Tate earned second-team All-American honors and first-team All-Big Ten recognition. He ranked first among Power Four WRs in passer rating when targeted (151.8) and fifth in yards per route run (3.02).
Tate’s polished game play pops off the screen. He’s an outstanding route runner that shows tempo, footwork, and hip sink. Carnell tracks the ball exceptionally well, high-points contested catches with a massive catch radius and runs the entire route tree with pro-level nuance.
Conclusion
While nothing outside of Fernando Mendoza somehow not being the pick at #1 overall should be any kind of shock, the apparent consensus among mock draft analysts has the Commanders selecting an EDR at #7. However, I find myself leaning more and more towards a draft night reality that has Tate going to Washington. It’s almost too much of a good thing to pass on if you’re really trying to maximize your passing game. Jayden Daniels has shown the ability to be a game changing quarterback. Going after a weapon for him to grow his game with should be a priority in this draft. Putting that player across from McLaurin increases his odds for success.
Could Tate be off the board by the time Washington goes on the clock? That is absolutely a possibility, but this draft class is top heavy with exceptional defensive talent.
The current board trends toward Carnell being available, and the Commanders would be wise to rush his selection to the podium.