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: Gennaro Felice, NFL.com

Selection: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (April 13)

Analysis: If players were drafted on game tape alone -- putting aside things like positional value, physical prowess and athletic testing -- Downs would be a top-five pick all day long. In this world, the Commanders happily pounce on the cerebral safety at No. 7, continuing a much-needed makeover of Dan Quinn's defense.

Expert: Mike Renner, CBS Sports

Selection: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (April 13)

Analysis: The Commanders have already added multiple players to get more athletic in their front seven, and this would be the cherry on top. Styles is the freakiest linebacker to come out in some time -- maybe ever. His ability to do anything Dan Quinn asks would be a far cry from the limited athletes Washington had at the position last year.

Expert: Rob Rang, FOX Sports

Selection: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (April 13)

Analysis: The Commanders have adequate players in free-agent signee Nick Cross and Will Harris currently slated to start at safety, but neither has thus far proven to be the kind of difference-maker Dan Quinn enjoyed in previous stops in Seattle, Atlanta and Dallas. Downs is as good as this class gets, showing the instincts and athleticism to be an immediate star.

Expert: Chris Pokorny, Yahoo Sports

Selection: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (April 14)

Analysis: Perhaps running back isn't their biggest need, but I don't think the draft is about needs, I think the draft is about trying to get the best players that fall to you, and they'd be getting a real good one here. And not for nothing, it would be a pretty serious upgrade at the position as well.

Expert: Jack McKessy, USA Today

Selection: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (April 14)

Analysis: While cornerback Mansoor Delane deserves to be squarely in the conversation here, Downs can handle almost any assignment thrown at him and be a force multiplier for a unit that's still not on solid ground.

Expert: Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today

Selection: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (April 13)

Analysis: After spending big to overhaul its pass rush, Washington still looks due for an additional difference-maker on its defense. While cornerback Mansoor Delane deserves to be squarely in the conversation here, Downs can handle almost any assignment thrown at him and be a force multiplier for a unit that's still not on solid ground.

Expert: Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News

Selection: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (April 9)

Analysis: The Commanders have made it no secret they love Love to be their new feature power back as they reboot their backfield this offseason. Rachaad White is a complementary option and Love can be the needed workhorse to boost the overall game of Jayden Daniels with David Blough taking over the offense.

Expert: Bradley Locker, Pro Football Focus

Selection: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (April 13)

Analysis: The Commanders could be tempted to trade down given that they only possess one other pick in the top 146, but Downs is simply too tantalizing to pass up. Having secured a 91.0-plus PFF run-defense and coverage grade throughout his decorated three-year career, Downs accelerates Washington's defensive rebuild and fits wonderfully next to free-agent signing Nick Cross.

Expert: Nate Tice and Charles McDonald

Selection: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (April 13)

Analysis: There might not be a more Dan Quinn-coded pass rusher in this class than Bailey, who thrives with his speed to hawk down quarterbacks off the edge in a way that should translate cleanly to the NFL. However, there's plenty of room for him to improve as a run defender and to get stronger in those areas, which may be a liability early in his pro career. Still, Bailey is not completely hopeless in that area and should be a high impact player who racks up pressures and sacks.

Expert: Rhett Lewis, NFL.com

Selection: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (April 7)

Analysis: Support your young talented QB! I don't think you can go wrong following that North Star philosophy, especially when Jayden Daniels is your quarterback.