2026 NFL Draft Team Needs & Predictions: Commanders (2026)

The Washington Commanders are staring down a pivotal offseason in which the margin for error is thin. With a premium pick and a defense that needs immediate triage, Washington’s front office has to decide which holes can be patched with veterans and which positions demand a first-round cornerstone.

This Commanders-focused breakdown covers the biggest roster needs, critical 2026/2027 free agents, and the offseason priorities that will shape Washington’s 2026 outlook—including several potential fantasy football ripple effects.

Pick 7: Washington Commanders

2026 Free Agents:

QB: Marcus Mariota, Josh Johnson, Jeff Driskell
RB: Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez Jr. (RFA), Chase Edmonds
WR: Deebo Samuel, Noah Brown, Chris Moore, Treylon Burks
TE: Zach Ertz, Tyree Jackson (RFA)
OL: RT Andrew Wylie, RT Trenton Scott, RT George Fant, RT Lucas Niang, G Chris Paul
EDGE: Von Miller, Deatrich Wise, Jalyn Holmes, Drake Jackson
DL: Shy Tuttle, Eddie Goldman, Sheldon Day
LB: Bobby Wagner, Jake Martin, Preston Smith
CB: Jonathan Jones, Noah Igbinoghene, Antonio Hamilton
ST: Jake Moody (RFA)

2027 Free Agents:

QB: Sam Hartman (ERFA)
WR: Lawrence Cager, Nick Nash (ERFA), Ja’Corey Brooks (ERFA), Jacoby Jones (ERFA)
TE: Colson Yankoff (RFA)
OL: LT Laremy Tunsil, C Tyler Biadasz, G Nick Allegretti, G Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu (RFA), G Julian Good-Jones (ERFA), G Tyler Cooper (ERFA), G Tim McKay (ERFA)
EDGE: Dorance Armstrong, Andre Carter II
DL: Daron Payne, Ricky Barber (ERFA)
LB: Frankie Luvu, D.J. Johnson, T.J. Magurayang (ERFA)
CB: Marshon Lattimore, Darius Rush (RFA), Tre Hawkins III (RFA), Qwuantrezz Knight (ERFA), Car’lin Vigers (ERFA), Rob McDaniel (ERFA)
S: Jeremy Reaves, Percy Butler, Will Harris, Jartavius Martin, Tyler Owens (RFA)
ST: Tress Way, Nick Bellore, Tyler Ott

Team Needs: EDGE, CB, RB, WR, TE, LB, S

The Commanders’ defense needs a lot of help. Last season, they finished second-to-last in yards per pass attempt faced (8.2).

Linebacker Bobby Wagner played the most snaps and is an impending free agent (also 36 years old). Von Miller led the team in sacks (10) and is 37 years old.

EDGE Dorance Armstrong was the team’s best pass rusher last season and got hurt after 7 games. Last year of his contract.

Perimeter CB is another need. Marshon Lattimore is not the same guy anymore after so many injuries. Probably cut candidate. Jonathan Jones is also a free agent.

Safety Jartavius “Quan” Martin is still under contract, along with the other two starting safeties. But Martin allowed the 5^th-highest passer rating in coverage last season. Safety needs to be addressed here for the Commanders to improve their defense. It’s a great draft class for safeties with three potential first-rounders (generally viewed as a strong safety class overall).

Wild NFL Draft scenario:

We might see more safeties drafted in Round 1 than quarterbacks and running backs combined.

Caleb Downs, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and Dillon Thieneman all rank inside my top 25.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) February 17, 2026

Offensively, this backfield might get some more pieces. Jacory Croskey-Merritt is a former 7th-round draft pick (although the coaching staff has expressed confidence in him). Up-and-down rookie season with flashes. Chris Rodriguez is a restricted free agent, but he’s likely to return (the team loves him).

I’d expect the other RBs not to re-sign in free agency.

The new offensive coordinator is David Blough (former assistant QB coach), who will replace Kliff Kingsbury.

Blough (former QB with the Browns, Lions, Vikings, and Cardinals) has played with the following RBs who could hit the open market this offseason (trade/cut candidates).

Assistant HC Brian Johnson coached both Swift and Kenneth Gainwell in Philadelphia.

RB coach Anthony Lynn also coached Swift in Detroit.

WR depth is needed after Terry McLaurin (only 3 WRs on the current roster). They have a few young pieces like Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane – but no established names to pair with TMC. Don’t be surprised if Brandon Aiyuk reunites with his former Arizona State teammate, Jayden Daniels, this offseason.

It just makes so much sense for both sides with Aiyuk’s time in SF coming to an end. Adam Peters brought in former Niners WR Deebo Samuel last season.

Wes Welker is also supposed to take on a larger role with the Commanders’ offense, and he previously coached Aiyuk in San Fran.

So we shall see if Blough is true to his word, feeding TMC 10 targets per game.

For draft purposes – here’s another nugget: The Commanders’ WR coach, Bobby Engram, was the former OC at Wisconsin in 2022.

A few college prospects in this year’s class from that Badgers team: WR Skyler Bell and WR Vinny Anthony.

The Commanders’ GM also emphasized selecting a young, explosive playmaker with their top draft pick (specifically highlighted pass rusher as an area of need).

David Bailey, Jeremiyah Love, Arvell Reese, Cashius Howell, Avieon Terrell, Caleb Downs, etc. Embarassment of riches for the Commanders at 7th overall.

Zach Ertz is coming off a torn ACL in December, so he won’t be back at 35.

The Commanders have some interesting young guys on the roster, such as Ben Sinnott, who could be thrust into larger roles. But he’s hardly done enough to keep the team from drafting a tight end.

As for the protection upfront, they have the starters from last season intact. Sam Cosmi missed the start of the season but returned in October. He missed the latter portion of the season with a concussion.

The Commanders need to consider OL more in 2027 with their starting center and LT hitting the open market.

A few coaching notes to account for. Daronte Jones has taken over at DC after spending 2022-2025 with the Minnesota Vikings in various defensive roles.

He was also the defensive coordinator for the LSU Tigers in 2021. Draft-eligible players in this class from that team?

QB Garrett Nussmeier. The Commanders do need a backup QB. Nussmeier is used to backing up Daniels (did for two years at LSU).

Also, CB free agent Cordale Flott played for that Tigers roster. Potential fit in the nation’s capital to bolster the secondary.