The views and opinions expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of the team.
In anticipation of the 2026 NFL Draft, which will be held April 23 - 25 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, here's a compilation of various league experts' predictions about what the Washington Commanders will do with the No. 7 overall pick. Check back weekly until the draft for more updates.
Expert: Tyler Dragon, USA Today
Selection: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (April 7)
Analysis: The run of Ohio State players continues as Downs is the fourth Buckeye selected in the first seven picks. Downs is a playmaker in the defensive backfield. He possesses good ball skills. He can play in the box and line up at nickel corner. Plus, he has the IQ to be an anchor in Washington's secondary.
Expert: Peter Schrager, ESPN
Selection: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (April 7)
Analysis: I believe Washington is going to go defense; it gave up 6.0 yards per play in 2025, tied for third worst. Styles shows a lot of the same traits that Fred Warner has displayed in San Francisco, and GM Adam Peters -- who came from San Francisco -- knows what Warner has meant for the 49ers all these years. Styles had 77 tackles as a sideline-to-sideline defender last season and then lit up the combine with a smooth 4.46 in the 40-yard dash and a 43½-inch vertical jump. I like this fit.
Expert: Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Selection: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (April 3)
Analysis: The Commanders have two short but tenacious corners in Amik Robertson and Mike Sainristil and hope to get a healthy Trey Amos back after he sustained a broken fibula in Week 10 last season. Delane, the class' top cover corner, gives Dan Quinn size outside and allows him to stick with man coverage more frequently.
Expert: Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Selection: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (April 6)
Analysis: They've added to their defense in free agency, which they needed to do, so why not take a playmaking running back to help the offense? Love has the explosive speed to turn short runs into home run touchdowns.
Expert: Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller, Jordan Reid, Field Yates, ESPN
Selection: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (April 2)
Analysis: The instincts and versatility of Downs would immediately help a Washington defense that gave up an average of 8.1 yards per pass attempt last season (third worst in the NFL). He is a consistent tackler with great ball skills.
Expert: Nick Wright, FOX Sports
Selection: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (April 7)
Analysis: He was, according to a lot of people, the best player in college football going into the year. The only reason he would be available at No. 7, and might be available outside of the top 10, is the positional [value].
Expert: Charles Davis, NFL.com
Selection: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (March 26)
Analysis: The Commanders must get younger and quicker on defense. The dynamic Styles could replace Bobby Wagner or learn from the six-time first-team All-Pro if Washington re-signs him.
Expert: Aryton Ostly, USA Today
Selection: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (March 30)
Analysis: Washington has plenty of needs, but at this point in the draft, the team should take the best player available. Styles is a dynamic threat and the Commanders signed enough talent to shore up the edge position. Washington needs to get younger and more athletic on defense compared to a year ago and Styles certainly helps with both. In a division with potent running games in Philadelphia and Dallas, Washington needs a player like Styles on defense to wreak some havoc.
Expert: Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network
Selection: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (March 30)
Analysis: This past season highlighted just how many holes this Washington Commanders team has, both offensively and defensively. And while the Commanders could opt to improve this defense, they go for the WR position and draft another Buckeye WR to pair with Terry McLaurin. Carnell Tate is the perfect option to be a complementary piece for McLaurin.
