Notre Dame prospect drawing early Commanders buzz in 2026 mock draft

Stocks have already risen or fallen around 2026 NFL Draft prospects just one week into the college football season. The Washington Commanders are a long way off from making their choices just yet, but that doesn't mean those behind the scenes or scouting on the road aren't keeping a close eye on developments.

Needs will be determined by Washington's efforts throughout the campaign. Nothing has been decided one way or another as yet, but one draft analyst believes general manager Adam Peters could set his sights on a legitimate three-down running back to put alongside quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels.

The Commanders traded Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers this offseason. This leaves them with Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez Jr., and seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt. It's an interesting dynamic, but only Kliff Kingsbury knows how the wealth is going to be shared.

Commanders could use first-round pick on long-term running back in 2026

Anthony Licciardi from Sporting News doesn't believe Croskey-Merritt's surging summer hype will be enough for the Commanders to ignore reinforcements in 2026. He had Washington picking Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love at No. 24 overall in his latest mock draft, which would provide Kingsbury's offense a home-run threat they might not have right now.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt wakes up his alarm clock and gives the sun permission to set. He's the most popular out-of-nowhere running back in recent fantasy football memory, but at the end of the day, he's still a Day 3 running back. And Day 3 running backs get replaced. [Jeremiyah] Love is the consensus top running back in the class and would be an injection of dynamic youth to the oldest roster in football. Washington lacks a true home-run hitter to complement Jayden Daniels, and while the Commanders aren't in the position to make luxury picks, a star running back amplified by Daniels' mobility could be a difference-maker.Anthony Licciardi

Love is a phenomenal talent. He burst onto the scene in 2024 with the Fighting Irish, gaining 1,125 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. He was restricted to just 33 yards on 10 carries in Notre Dame's first game of the season, but it was a poor afternoon at the office for everybody.

In an ideal world, Croskey-Merritt can continue his encouraging development to become an integral part of the team's long-term strategy. If his bubble bursts, and others also fail to meet raised expectations, drafting a running back in the first round next spring doesn't become so far-fetched.

And the Commanders could do far worse than examine Love's credentials in greater detail. After all, he might be exactly what they're looking for.