Commanders' 7-round 2026 mock draft as college football madness begins

Excitement is building ahead of the NFL season. The Washington Commanders look primed for another deep postseason run if everyone gets a clear run of luck on the health front. But for those in the front office and scouting department, attention is elsewhere.

The college football campaign is officially underway. That means draft plans are already being formed behind the scenes as prospects increase or diminish their stock based on performances in a high-profile setting.

Considering how the Commanders are always thinking two steps ahead with general manager Adam Peters leading the charge, the hard work has already begun to ensure Washington hits the ground running when the offseason assessment phase begins. And after two good drafts from the front-office leader so far, another will put this storied franchise on the right path to long-term prosperity.

The Commanders have six picks as things stand. They don't have second or fourth-round selections right now after acquiring five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Houston Texans. However, they got an extra sixth-rounder by shipping running back Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers.

A lot can and will change in the coming months. But using the Pro Football Network simulator, we took an early look at what the Commanders might need in this seven-round mock draft.

Commanders' 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft as college football chaos commences

Commanders draft Anthony Hill Jr.

• Linebacker | Texas Longhorns
• Round No. 1 | Pick No. 27

The Washington Commanders' linebacking corps will be spearheaded by Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu once again this season. This duo led a sensational turnaround on and off the field in 2024, both earning second-team All-Pro honors and firmly establishing themselves as locker room leaders along the way.

That shouldn't stop the Commanders from strengthening the defensive second level in 2026. Wagner and Nick Bellore aren't getting any younger. Kain Medrano and Jordan Magee have promise, but there's just no telling what they might be capable of long term.

If Wagner retires, this becomes a more pressing need. Adam Peters would be wise to keep tabs on Anthony Hill Jr. throughout the college campaign, with the decorated Texas standout set for a first-round grade if the same trend continues.

Hill is an exceptional talent with the physical attributes Dan Quinn looks for in his second-level defenders. If he can refine his angles against the run during the 2025 campaign, he might even be out of reach for the Commanders when push comes to shove.

Commanders draft Patrick Payton

• Edge Rusher | LSU Tigers
• Round No. 3 | Pick No. 91

The Washington Commanders have some questions around their edge rushing room in 2025. Although the defensive front applied itself well over training camp and the preseason, it won't take long for optimism to plunge if they cannot generate pressure consistently when it counts.

Adam Peters won't hesitate to make this his top priority when the 2026 offseason arrives. Going down the free-agent route is preferable, especially if Trey Hendrickson hits the market. Still, there are some intriguing draft prospects also worthy of consideration to bolster the ranks further.

It's a huge season ahead for Patrick Payton. After four seasons at Florida State, the edge force transferred to LSU in pursuit of bolstering his draft stock with a playoff contender. He's a sound technician who does everything well, with his pursuit speed and bend around the edge notable features of his on-field contribution.

Payton also emerged as a respected leader in the Seminoles' locker room, which is something he is looking to bring to the Tigers. That's always a highly coveted trait with this regime, as high character quickly became almost as important as production on the gridiron.

If Payton can add a little strength to set cleaner edges against the run, he'll be in consideration for a Day 2 selection.

Commanders draft Caleb Douglas

• Wide Receiver | Texas Tech Red Raiders
• Round No. 5 | Pick No. 156

Washington's wide receiver room looks strong heading into the 2025 campaign. This bears more significance after franchise cornerstone Terry McLaurin finally ended his long contract standoff with a three-year, $96 million deal that came with $44 million guaranteed.

The Commanders spent a fifth-round pick to acquire Deebo Samuel Sr. to the organization, which adds a different dynamic to Kliff Kingsbury's passing attack. Noah Brown offers a vertical threat, and the signs are glowing around rookie fourth-rounder Jaylin Lane after an outstanding summer. All hope is not lost just yet with Luke McCaffrey, although this season will tell coaches all they need to know about his long-term outlook.

Adam Peters never settles. He knows how important this window is with Jayden Daniels on his rookie contract. The more weapons Washington's superstar quarterback has, the better their chances will be.

Caleb Douglas could be an intriguing possibility later in the draft. After an injury-hit two seasons with the Florida Gators, the wideout transferred to Texas Tech and thrived, gaining 60 receptions for 877 receiving yards and six touchdowns to get himself back on the radar.

At 6-foot-3 with the athleticism to match, Douglas represents a matchup nightmare when firing on all cylinders. If he stays consistent this season, the pass-catcher is well worth considering.

Commanders draft McKale Boley

• Offensive Line | Virginia Cavaliers
• Round No. 6 | Pick No. 185

The Washington Commanders spent their first-round pick on Josh Conerly Jr. and traded for left tackle Laremy Tunsil. This can hopefully provide a bookend edge protection tandem that Jayden Daniels can depend upon long-term.

That's the best-case scenario, but no NFL team should get complacent when it comes to depth. Trent Scott, Andrew Wylie, and George Fant will be free agents next spring, so drafting a developmental tackle to sit behind the projected starting pair wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.

McKale Boley is an interesting prospect. The 6-foot-5, 316-pound lineman started his football journey on the defensive front before switching to the opposite trench. He's a fluid mover with sound hand placement and enough core functional strength to hold his own against the run.

Some technical refinements are needed, but there is enough to suggest Boley can become a decent pro if the required developments arrive in the coming months.

Commanders draft Cameron Calhoun

• Cornerback | Alabama Crimson Tide
• Round No. 6 | Pick No. 188

Washington's cornerback unit could become an area of strength this season. Four-time Pro Bowl veteran Marshon Lattimore and second-round rookie Trey Amos will start on the boundary. Mike Sainristil is a superstar in waiting. Jonathan Jones and Noah Igbinoghene provide decent depth, so this could be a highly productive group if everyone stays healthy.

Jones and Igbinoghene will be free agents in 2026. That means some tinkering might be needed if neither does enough for a new deal. If general manager Adam Peters can find a hidden gem later in the draft, that would go a long way to rectifying this potential issue.

Cameron Calhoun is a name to watch. He was Sainristil's teammate at Michigan in 2023 before transferring to Utah for more playing time. That was a shrewd move, and he's now gone to Alabama to test his skills in the SEC.

If Calhoun passes this test with flying colors, he'll be on the radar of several NFL teams.

Commanders draft C.J. Donaldson

• Running Back | Ohio State Buckeyes
• Round No. 7 | Pick No. 220

The Commanders traded Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers when he quickly fell out of favor. Austin Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jeremy McNichols, and seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt will lead the backfield charge, but things are increasingly uncertain after this season.

Ekeler, Rodriguez, and McNichols are all free agents. Croskey-Merritt has gained significant hype this summer, but he remains an unknown quantity until further notice. That means general manager Adam Peters could add another gifted running back from the college ranks in 2026 if the situation dictates.

C.J. Donaldson started his college career at tight end but was switched to running back as a freshman and thrived, gaining 2,058 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns in three seasons to boost his stock considerably. That production didn't go unnoticed.

Donaldson secured a prestigious transfer to reigning national champions Ohio State. If he can establish himself and continue his impressive development, the prospect should hear his name called during the draft.

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