The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books. No more mock drafts, no more speculation about which players would fall, or which teams were telling the truth. The Washington Commanders put the finishing touches on a six-player class on Saturday, making four picks after making one each on Thursday and Friday.
Washington general manager Adam Peters landed one of the top players on his board on Thursday, when linebacker Sonny Styles fell to the Commanders with the No. 7 overall pick. The draft puts the finishing touches on an impressive offseason from Peters, which will feature several new starters on defense.
How did the Commanders do with their draft picks? We grade each pick, from Styles to quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis.
Styles fills Washington's biggest defensive need, replacing Wagner. He brings elite size (6-foot-5, 244 pounds) and speed (4.46-second 40-yard dash), with a 43.5" vertical leap. A former safety, Styles transitioned to linebacker during his college career and never missed a beat. As the son of former Ohio State and NFL linebacker Lorenzo Styles, Sonny showed he also possesses the instincts and physicality to play inside linebacker in the NFL.
Williams was ranked No. 57 on Daniel Jeremiah's final list of the top 150 prospects. He'd previously been inside the top 50. So, the value was there for the Commanders.
A multi-year starter at one of college football's top programs, Williams is ready to play Day 1. A productive player in each of his healthy seasons at Clemson, Williams could start for the Commanders in 2026. Currently, only Terry McLaurin is penciled in as a starting wideout.
Some things stick out here: slippery, outstanding run-after-catch ability and plays fast. These are important qualities for the Commanders. Not only did the Williams' pick have high value, but he can help immediately. His versatility should help him earn a starting role sooner rather than later.
The Commanders signed edge rushers Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson in free agency, pairing them with the returning Dorance Armstrong to improve Washington's pass rush. However, Oweh is the only edge rusher on the Commanders' roster signed past 2026. Not anymore. Josephs was a consensus top-100 player and the Commanders got him in Round 5. While he's light, Josephs has phenomenal length and isn't afraid to mix it up against the run. Josephs could also still grow as a pass rusher. A good value pick for Adam Peters and the Commanders here.
The Penn State Nittany Lions have had a ton of great running backs over the years. Saquon Barkley, John Cappelletti, Curt Warner, Lydell Mitchell, Ki-Jana Carter, and Larry Johnson are among the great Penn State running backs. Kaytron Allen rushed for more yards than any of them, breaking the school record last season. Allen fell down the board because he's not an explosive athlete. He can play. You take good, productive players at this point in the draft, which is Allen. You can add him to the mix in Washington's backfield next season, and he should be able to carve out a role.
The Commanders needed a center. They either passed on a few options, or they went right in front of when Washington picked, such as when Sam Hecht was chosen at No. 144 overall. Eventually, the Commanders found their center, who has starting experience at center and guard. Some believe he could be the starting center by the end of his rookie season. He's more powerful and rugged than he is athletic. Even if Gulbin doesn't start at center, they found a player who can be a top backup at all three interior positions. That's valuable.
Washington didn't necessarily need a quarterback, and there were better options on the board, such as Garrett Nussmeier. But it was a seventh-round pick, and someone Washington liked. Remember, the Commanders brought in Kaliakmanis on a top-30 visit, so the interest was real. While Washington doesn't need a quarterback, drafting one that the new offensive coordinator, David Blough, likes and can develop is a positive. Remember, Marcus Mariota is on another one-year deal, and the Commanders will eventually not be able to afford him as Jayden Daniels' backup.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders draft grades: Grading every pick in 2026 NFL Draft