Throughout the pre-draft process, many have wondered if the Washington Commanders will go offense or defense in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Commanders have significant needs on both sides of the ball the team must address if it wants to rebound in 2026.
But Commanders fans shouldn’t be holding their breath for an offensive pick with the No. 7 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
NFL Draft guru Todd McShay is hearing the Commanders have a “mandate” to make a defensive pick to fix that side of the ball.
“The last conversation I had was very authoritative and that was this pick will be defense,” he said. “(Head coach Dan)Quinn has got it — priority is too light a word. It’s a mandate that we get that defense fixed.”
Not exactly a surprising mandate. Washington was awful on defense last season.
Two of the biggest weaknesses the Washington Commanders have on offense come at running back and wide receiver.
Washington doesn’t have a surefire starter at running back with a room that includes the unproven Jacory Croskey-Merritt and veterans Rachaad White, Jerome Ford and Jeremy McNichols, all of whom were backups in 2025.
There was some hope among Commanders fans that the team might be able to snag Notre Dame superstar Jeremiyah Love, but rumors point to him being picked in the top five.
At wide receiver, the Commanders need a No. 2 across from Terry McLaurin.
Deebo Samuel remains on the open market, but it doesn’t look like he’ll be back.
There were rumblings the Commanders might sign Brandon Aiyuk if he is cut by the San Francisco 49ers, but the Niners are holding out hope they can trade him.
If the Commanders were to go wide receiver at No. 7, Jordyn Tyson or Carnell Tate are the two likely options.
What don’t the Washington Commanders need on defense?
Washington had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last season, with the unit finishing 27th in points allowed, 30th in run defense and dead-last in pass defense.
The Commanders need help along the defensive line, as well as at linebacker, safety and cornerback.
Because there are no interior defensive lineman worthy of a pick in its spot, Washington will go with a player at one of the other three positions.
Three players who could be the pick are linebacker Sonny Styles, cornerback Mansoor Delane and safety Caleb Downs.
In order of most to least likely to be on the board for the Commanders if they stick and pick, it’s Delane, Downs, and then Styles.