Watch Commanders Log - S5 E1: ‘Strong Convictions, Lightly Held’

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Ben Solak: How all 32 teams can ace their picks, needs

If neither Caleb Downs nor Jeremiyah Love make it to No. 7, the Commanders should trade back. They’re missing both their second- and fourth-round picks as a result of the Laremy Tunsil trade, and they have more needs than their first two picks can address.

Another safety to start opposite Nick Cross should be a major focus, especially if new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones wants to field three safeties (as Brian Flores’ defense did in Minnesota). Three free agents at edge rusher (Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson, Charles Omenihu) aren’t enough to fill all the snaps, especially because Oweh and Chaisson both lack the ideal run-defending profile. A trade back could see the Commanders in range of Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman at safety or Auburn’s Keldric Faulk at edge.

Wide receiver could also be a target either at No. 7 or after a trade back. Carnell Tate (Ohio State) will likely go at the top of that range, while Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson and USC’s Makai Lemon could go somewhere in the teens. Washington desperately needs a legitimate second pass catcher opposite Terry McLaurin, and ideally someone who can blossom into a WR1 since McLaurin is almost 31. The Commanders have a much bigger chance of taking a wide receiver in the first round than people realize.

This is all well and good … but after the release of center Tyler Biadasz, the Commanders still need someone to fill those snaps. Jake Slaughter (Florida) and Connor Lew (Auburn) are two likely targets at No. 71.

The bottom line: Trade back to score an extra pick to address receiver, center and at least one of the two outstanding defensive needs.

NFL.com

2026 NFL mock draft … with a twist! What every team SHOULD do in Round 1 (by Adam Rank)

Look, Commanders: I’ve seen a lot of mock drafts where you don’t take a receiver in Round 1, and that’s just wrong. The TOP priority should be making sure Jayden Daniels has as much offensive firepower around him as possible. You can’t roll into next season with Luke McCaffrey and Treylon Burks as Terry McLaurin’s top companions at receiver. I personally love Makai, who has drawn comparisons to Amon-Ra St. Brown — perhaps it’s because they both played at USC — but you need to come out of this first round with a new wide receiver of some sort. In my mind, Lemon is going to be an NFL stud.

The Athletic (paywall)

2026 NFL Draft safety guide: Big nickels, deep safeties, and do-it-all playmakers

Big nickel

A.J. Haulcy

Haulcy has one of the most fun tapes to watch because he’s trying to destroy guys on every play. He’s extremely active, but to his own detriment at times. He tries to pounce on every play. Though he mostly played deep at LSU in 2025, he should play in the box early on as he learns a system in the NFL. His reactivity might be better in the slot, where he won’t leave a receiver wide open because he nailed down on an underneath route too quickly. He has the size, physicality and burst to thrive in the box.

The Beast

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Wild card: Kyle Louis

Louis played a hybrid role at Pitt. He played “star” linebacker — a term usually reserved for nickels. He was essentially a nickel and played on the wide side of the field. Louis’ sideline-to-sideline burst pops on film. He’s too light (220 pounds), nor does he have the physicality to play full-time linebacker, but his movement skills are elite. He has a great understanding of zone and how to play passing lanes. He showed his man coverage chops at the Senior Bowl, locking up running backs and tight ends, according to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. In this new era of light box defenses, Louis can be an interesting fit as a big nickel.

Deep safety

Jakobe Thomas

Thomas mainly played as one of the deep safeties in Miami’s quarter-based system. Thomas plays with reckless abandon and little worry for self-preservation with the way he throws his body around. Though he’s physical coming down and playing the run from the alley for driving on underneath passes, he’s rarely out of position. He can miss tackles because of his aggressiveness, but he doesn’t bust coverages often. There are times I want him to trigger a little faster against passes, and his movement skills are average, but he’s a player you can trust to play deep and come up against the run with physicality.

Podcasts & videos

Strong Convictions, Lightly Held | Commanders Log: Season 5, Episode 1“Mark My Words: It’s Gonna Be a Hit” | Players’ SURPRISE Reaction to New Commanders Uniforms

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