Treydan Stukes
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University of Arizona cornerback Treydan Stukes.
So much focus has been on the player the Washington Commanders will take in the 1st round of the 2026 NFL draft at No. 7 overall, that the rest of their picks have kind of fallen by the wayside.
That’s too bad, because not only do the Commanders have plenty of holes to fill but they have the opportunity to possibly add a plug-and-play starter on Day 2, which The Athletic predicts they will do by taking versatile Arizona cornerback Treydan Stukes in the 3rd round (No. 71 overall).
Stukes played 6 seasons of college football — all at Arizona – and capped his career by earning All-Big 12 and All-American honors in 2025.
He also ran the 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.33 seconds at the NFL scouting combine.
“Sixth-year senior and team captain who went from walk-on to unquestioned leader of his defense,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft evaluation. “Stukes combines his infectious passion with hours of preparation that allow him to play fast. He communicates well from zone and works quickly from route to route. He has work to do in man coverage but possesses an excellent feel for disrupting catch-points at optimal angles despite a lack of ideal length. Stukes is an older prospect and has an ACL tear in his background (2024), but the football has a magnetic pull for him. Coaches will love his football character and versatility as a big nickelback or split safety.”
Commanders Might Be Better Served With Trade
There might be a case for the Commanders using that 3rd round pick to see if another team might take the bait in a trade for a starting cornerback — someone like Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss.
That move would allow 3rd year cornerback Mike Sainristil to move back to the nickel back/slot cornerback spot, where he thrived as a rookie in 2024, and put Moss and free-agent signee Amik Robertson at the outside cornerback spots.
It would also create depth, with talented 2nd year cornerback Trey Amos as the top backup at both outside cornerback spots, if he can stay healthy.
The Commanders signed Robertson away from the Detroit Lions on a 2-year, $16 million contract with $9.3 million in guaranteed money.
“Washington badly needs more bodies at the position, considering they entered this period with only two guaranteed roster players at the position: Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil,” ESPN’s John Keim wrote after free agency. “The Commanders need to keep adding to this spot. But with Robertson, they add someone who can play inside or outside — much like Sainristil. It provides Washington with more versatility for new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones, who has been known for his coverage disguises.”
Stukes Put Up Big Numbers in Final Season
Stukes, 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, put up big numbers in his final season at Arizona with 52 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 6 pass deflections.
“Treydan Stukes gravitates toward the football and consistently gets his hands on it at every level of the field,” Bleacher Report’s Daniel Harms wrote. “With an explosive downhill trigger, he isn’t afraid to get mixed up in the run game or take on blocks and drives through tackles when he gets there. His nickel and safety versatility give him a pathway to being a three-down defensive chess piece for an NFL defense.”