When Adam Peters and the Washington Commanders entered the 2026 NFL Draft, they knew they were working with a limited hand. Thanks to last year's blockbuster trade for left tackle Laremy Tunsil—which cost them second- and fourth-round picks—the Commanders had just six selections to work with. That certainly capped the group's potential, but sometimes the biggest wins come in the smallest details.

And here's the silver lining: while those six picks might have limited Washington's ceiling on paper, the team effectively dodged a growing headache that's been plaguing NFL front offices for years: negotiating second-round rookie contracts.

In recent seasons, signing second-round picks has become a major challenge. Agents and players are increasingly pushing for fully guaranteed contracts—a perk once reserved almost exclusively for first-round selections. The issue came to a head last year when 30 second-round picks remained unsigned as training camps opened. Eventually, picks 33 through 40 secured fully guaranteed deals, and that trend is expected to trickle down even further in 2026.

The Commanders felt that pressure firsthand last year with cornerback Trey Amos, their second-round pick. Amos signed his four-year, $7.28 million deal on the very day rookies were scheduled to report to training camp. The contract included $4.57 million guaranteed—roughly 62.8% of the total. It got done, but just barely.

Now, instead of sweating over another high-stakes negotiation that could derail a young player's development before camp even starts, Peters and the Commanders can breathe easy. They've already got their star left tackle anchoring the line, and they don't have to worry about the second-round contract drama that's keeping other GMs up at night.

Unless Tunsil unexpectedly tanks in 2026—which nobody expects—this trade is shaping up to be a quiet but significant victory for Washington's front office. Sometimes, the best draft move is the one you don't have to make.