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: Mike Renner, CBS Sports
Selection: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (March 17)
Analysis: Jeremiyah Love next to Jayden Daniels would create the most dynamic backfield in the NFL. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more dynamic backfield in league history. That will keep defenses out of two-high shells.
Expert: Joel Klatt, FOX Sports
Selection: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (March 16)
Analysis: There hasn't been a bigger riser following the combine than Styles. He was already a first-round pick, but he put on a show in Indianapolis a couple of weeks ago that might make him a top-10 pick. He has got a safety background, so he has a lot of athleticism in the open field. He is also a great leader.
Expert: Nate Davis and Ayrton Ostly, USA Today
Selection: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (March 16)
Analysis: Washington did a lot of work in free agency. But they don't have a clear-cut No. 2 receiver behind veteran Terry McLaurin, who will be 31 this season and is coming off his least productive NFL campaign. A fellow Ohio Stater like McLaurin, Tate is the latest ready-made wideout product emerging from the Buckeyes' pipeline. His 51 catches in 2025 averaged 17.2 yards, nearly three more than former teammate Jeremiah Smith, and should add another explosive element to an offense that already has QB Jayden Daniels ripping off plenty of big plays.
Expert: Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
Selection: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (March 17)
Analysis: The Commanders couldn't stop anyone last season, and linebacker Bobby Wagner appears to be headed elsewhere as a free agent. Bringing in Styles -- my No. 6 prospect regardless of position -- to team up with Frankie Luvu and new addition Leo Chenal makes some sense. After a 77-tackle season, Styles posted an incredible 43½-inch vertical jump at the combine, a glimpse into his explosion. Washington needs good ball players, and Styles is just that.
Expert: Connor Rogers, Yahoo Sports
Selection: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (March 17)
Analysis: Dan Quinn's defense will look a lot different in 2025 and that's good news for Commanders fans. They'll have newly signed Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson rushing the passer, Leo Chenal in the middle of the defense to provide run stopping support and Nick Cross added to the back end. Caleb Downs can handle just about any role they want to throw at him. His instincts and awareness constantly have him around the ball.
Expert: Gordon McGuinness, Pro Football Focus
Selection: Makai Lemon, WR, USC (March 16)
Analysis: More weapons for quarterback Jayden Daniels can't be a bad thing. Lemon, the first wide receiver off the board in this mock, earned an elite 91.4 PFF receiving grade in 2025, placing him first among 432 qualifying college receivers. He also averaged 3.13 yards per route run (eighth best) and dropped just two catchable passes thrown his way.
Expert: Nick Kosko, On3.com
Selection: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (March 16)
Analysis: The Commanders need younger weapons on offense and defense. This one makes sense in the NFL Draft as Tate can pair up with Jayden Daniels, giving Washington a nice QB-WR combo.
Expert: Justin Melo, SI.com
Selection: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (March 16)
Analysis: The Washington Commanders are spending the offseason retooling a disastrous defense. Signing Odafe Oweh should help fix the pass rush. An elite linebacker would continue transforming this unit. Sonny Styles was a top-three performer at the NFL Combine, leaping a 43.5 inch vertical and 11-foot-2 broad jump. Dan Quinn would love to add Styles' range and athleticism to his reimagined defense.
Expert: Mason Johnstone, The Draft Network
Selection: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (March 16)
Analysis: The Commanders have found reliability at all major offensive positions except RB. Jeremiyah Love is an immediate All-Pro-caliber back with rare agility and feel as a rusher. You don't find many guys with his frame and athletic profile. This is a no-brainer pick to add a weapon to an already elite offense when healthy.
Expert: Nate Tice and Chris McDonald, Yahoo Sports
Selection: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (March 17)
Analysis: Positional value is the only reason that Downs is on the board here. He's arguably the best player in the draft and has been an elite defensive back prospect since his first season at Alabama. He's the "can't-miss" caliber player the Commanders could use in their secondary and has the skills to play deep safety and the slot in Dan Quinn's defense, which desperately needs to bounce back in 2026.
