As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, the Washington Commanders appear to be back in the market for cornerback talent, a familiar position in their recent team-building strategy. Should they select one this year, it would mark the fourth consecutive draft where Washington has invested in the secondary, following Emmanuel Forbes (1st round, 2023), Mike Sainristil (2nd round, 2024), and Trey Amos (2nd round, 2025).

While the intention was to solidify the cornerback room for the long term, the results have been a mixed bag. Forbes was released during his second season, Sainristil faced a sophomore slump after a promising rookie year, and Amos, who emerged as their top cover man in 2025, saw his season cut short by a broken leg in Week 10. This instability has understandably kept the position high on the team's priority list.

Washington's due diligence is in full swing, highlighted by a top-30 visit with LSU's Mansoor Delane, the consensus top corner in the class. However, using the No. 7 overall pick on the position will depend heavily on how the board falls ahead of them. Beyond the first round, the Commanders are casting a wide net, and one intriguing Day 2 target has emerged: Texas Longhorns standout Malik Muhammad.

Muhammad recently identified the Commanders as one of the teams showing significant pre-draft interest, listing them alongside clubs like the Raiders, Cowboys, and Bills. The 6-foot, 182-pound cornerback made an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2023 and developed into a full-time starter in the tough SEC, showcasing his skills over 41 collegiate games. His stat line—97 tackles, 16 passes defensed, and three interceptions—proves he can compete against top-tier competition.

While his frame is on the slighter side, Muhammad's versatility is a major asset; he has the skills to play outside corner but also the agility to slide into the slot if needed. His potential as a value pick on Day 2 could be exactly what the Commanders need to finally lock down their secondary for good.