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Commanders 3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Washington rebuilds the defense with trade back and selects elite blue-chip prospect
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Commanders 3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Washington rebuilds the defense with trade back and selects elite blue-chip prospect

Originally posted on A to Z Sports  |  By Josh Taylor  |  Last updated Dec 9, 2025 12:03 PM ET

The Washington Commanders continue its losing streak against the Minnesota Vikings and inch closer to a top-5 pick.

They've officially been eliminated from the playoffs, as if they haven't been for weeks now, and it's time to officially look to the offseason. The Commanders currently hold six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they trade back for more in the latest 3-round mock draft.

Commanders 3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft

Round 1, Pick 9 (via Los Angeles Rams): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

The Commanders aren't just one player away from being competitive, so they trade back from the No. 6 overall pick with the Rams and receive the No. 9 overall pick, pick No. 63, and a 2027 3rd-round pick. After trading back to No. 9, the Commanders take advantage of positional value and select the best player on the board in safety Caleb Downs.

People will hate taking a safety this high, but this is a steal in value and potentially the best player in the whole draft. Downs is more than just a safety; he's a boost to the entire defense and a Day 1 leader. His instincts and coverage ability are off the charts, and he's not afraid to come downhill and get physical at the line of scrimmage.

Downs is the safest player in the draft and also has the highest ceiling. There would be an argument that he's the Commanders' best defender in his rookie season. There's still plenty of work to be done on the defense, but the Commanders need blue-chip players to build around, and that's what Downs is.

Round 2, Pick 63 (via Los Angeles Rams): Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana

The Commanders need to add more playmakers on offense as well, and Elijah Sarratt at pick No. 63 is a huge boost for Jayden Daniels. Sarratt is a 6-2, 213-pound playmaker for the Hoosiers, who has made the biggest plays in the biggest moments. Whenever Heisman favorite Fernando Mendoza needs a touchdown, Sarratt is the player he looks to.

Sarratt is a matchup nightmare against man coverage and a true outside threat for the Commanders. He heads into the playoffs with 687 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season. The Commanders saw firsthand just how bad things can get when Terry McLaurin isn't available, and the future at the wide receiver position starts now.

Round 3, Pick 68: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State

Penn State has done it again with another pass rusher in the NFL Draft. The Commanders need to load up at the position for once, and they take advantage of Dani Dennis-Sutton having a slight fall in the draft. Make no mistake about him as a prospect, though; the film still shows he is a high-floor player who can change the game on any snap.

It's been a rough season for Penn State, but Dennis-Sutton has continued to shine, and he's not getting the love he deserves. He's a high-end run stopper and a natural pass rusher with a 16% pass-rush win rate. Dennis-Sutton had 44 total pressures, 27 hurries, five sacks, and two forced fumbles on the season. The Commanders need a new defensive coordinator who can let Dennis-Sutton pin his ears back, attack, and make the plays he's capable of.

This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Dec 9, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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