To say that the Washington Commanders are bad would be putting it mildly—and with the season winding down, NFL mock draft season is in full swing. 

Zach Ertz’s devastating injury against the Minnesota Vikings means that there are only two settled units heading into next year: quarterback and offensive line. Everywhere else on the roster is open season, including a defense that has been a major catalyst in the team losing eight straight games, five of those losses coming by at least 21 points.

Get Jayden Daneils more weapons? Draft an elite pass-rusher? There are no more wrong answers at this point, just differences in opinions. Here are my Commanders 2026 NFL mock draft v1.0 picks.

*Picks made using Pro Football Focus’ mock draft*

Washington Commanders mock draft

Round 1, pick 6: Arvell Reese (LB, Ohio State)

Reese is a terrifying athlete at 6-foot-4, 243 pounds, and with the speed of a gazelle. While often used to spy quarterbacks as an inside linebacker at Ohio State, he has the physical talents and undeniable motor to convert to a full-time EDGE in the NFL. He’s also versatile enough to play any of the linebacker spots, and has even lined up in coverage in the slot.

There will be plenty of conversations about trading back from the Commanders’ first pick, but having the potential to draft a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate isn’t something that should be taken for granted as long as Jayden Daniels is under center. Reese is the game-wrecker the defense sorely needs, and he just so happens to have the size, speed, and mentality to be a day-one success.

Round 3, pick 70: Derrick Moore (EDGE, Michigan)

The 260-pound senior looks like a sprinter getting out of the blocks whenever he goes wide to rush the passer. He has the strength of an ox, allowing him to dominate with speed-to-power reps, and he has the ankle and hip dexterity to bend the corner and track down unsuspecting quarterbacks.

While he isn’t the most refined pass-rusher and can get caught with his pads too high against the run, he’s an intriguing piece that could be used anywhere from the three-technique to a wide-9. Pairing him with Reese gives the Commanders immediate pass-rush juice without having to splurge on a big-money defensive end, and also dramatically improves their ability to track running backs to the sidelines.

Round 5, pick 145: Zachariah Branch (WR, Georgia)

Branch legitimately has shades of Ja’Marr Chase—the best yards after catch receiver in the history of the NFL, in my opinion—with the ball in his hands. He’s only 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, but he plays big, and he never shies away from contact (while also doing an excellent job of avoiding first tacklers).

While his route tree is somewhat limited by his frame and slower development, he has the physical traits and desire to become a special player in the right system. He could fill the role of Deebo Samuel without having the same conditioning and durability concerns, as well as having more upside as a route technician thanks to his stop-start ability.

Round 6, pick 184: Tanner Koziol (TE, Houston)

A three-year member of Ball State’s football program, the 6-foot-7 senior leads Houston in receptions (65) and is second in yards (651) and touchdowns (five). While his frame might be more akin to a blocking tight end, his combination of wiggle and intelligence allows him to create leverage advantages against man and zone.

To add to that, the big man is like a wildebeest on the run with the ball in his hands. He’s not very fast, but he has real upside in the red zone and on play-action. 

Round 6, pick 191: Lee Hunter (DL, Texas Tech)

A massive man, coming out at 6-foot-3, 340 pounds, Hunter is a mainstay right in the middle of Texas Tech’s terrifying defense. He’s also disruptive, giving him the ability to rip through single blocks or occupy double-teams against gap scheme runs.

Hunter likely won’t be on the field on third down very much, but his ability to help win the early downs would let the Commanders get their best quarterback hunters (pun intended) on the field when it matters most. He’s a high-floor player who might not have superstar potential, but who adds the down-to-down consistency the Commanders have missed—sort of the anti-Jer’Zhan Newton.

Round 7, pick 219: Scooby Williams (LB, Texas A&M)

Williams is going to test well, and we all know how highly the Commanders value prospects’ Relative Athletic Score. He’s fearless attacking downhill and getting into piles to stop the run, and he has terrific speed buried beneath a muscular and long frame.

While pass-rushing isn’t a strength of his, Williams’ speed makes him a constant threat at a blitzing linebacker. He needs to get better at the overall mental side of the game, but he wants to impact the game in a positive way and will rally to the football regardless of where it goes.