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: Field Yates, ESPN
Selection: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (March 24)
Analysis: I'd argue the floor of Love would be at No. 7, as this would be a home run move for the Commanders with their only pick of the first two rounds. While the team signed veterans Rachaad White and Jerome Ford in free agency, make no mistake that the RB room has more than enough room for Love. Seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt is Washington's only returning RB from 2025, when he recorded 805 rushing yards (team high) and just 68 receiving yards.
Expert: Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Selection: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (March 23)
Analysis: They would consider edge Reuben Bain Jr. in this spot if he were there, but they signed guys in free agency. They opt for the star runner who can be their go-to guy in the run game.
Expert: Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Selection: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (March 20)
Analysis: With Bobby Wagner currently in free agency, Styles could step in to replace the veteran leader, using his plus athleticism and nose for the ball to make an immediate impact on the second level of Dan Quinn's defense.
Expert: Joel Klatt, FOX Sports
Selection: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (March 23)
Analysis: There are a lot of great wide receivers the Commanders could potentially pick from here. I think Tate would be the second-best wide receiver in this, so Washington takes him to pair with quarterback Jayden Daniels. Tate was overshadowed a bit because of Jeremiah Smith, but he's a great route runner who has good length and separation ability. Every Ohio State receiver that enters the NFL produces right away, and I think Washington would take that.
Expert: Jordan Plocher, Pro Football Focus
Selection: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State (March 23)
Analysis: The Commanders luck out that the uber-athletic Arvell Reese falls to them. Reese finished the 2025 season with an impressive 86.5 PFF run-defense grade. However, his 72.3 PFF pass-rush grade wasn't at the elite level you would want to see from a top-10 pick who might be playing on the edge. Still, the Commanders will be banking on Reese's size (6-foot-4 and 241 pounds) and athleticism (4.46-second 40-yard dash) translating to NFL pass-rush production.
Expert: Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today
Selection: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (March 23)
Analysis: After indulging in another spending spree, Washington no longer appears to be the lock they once were to take a defensive player here, with Jeremiyah Love and Carnell Tate both standing out as potential considerations. But Adam Peters could import Downs to equip new coordinator Daronte Jones with a highly versatile tone-setter and a final piece of the offseason overhaul.
Expert: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com
Selection: Rueben Bain, Jr., EDGE, Miami (March 17)
Analysis: Washington was aggressive to fill needs at edge rusher in free agency. Bain has the versatility to play from the edge on early downs and then slide inside in sub packages, making him a nice complement to Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson.
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: Mike Fanelli, FantasyPros
Selection: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (March 23)
Analysis: General manager Adam Peters isn't shy about trading away future draft capital, having dealt two picks in the 2026 NFL Draft to acquire Laremy Tunsil last offseason. Washington can afford to trade up for Love after signing several free agents on defense earlier this month.
Expert: Ryan McCrystal, Sharp Football Analysis
Selection: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (March 23)
Analysis: Quinn prefers big, physical corners in his defense, and yet he's got two vastly undersized corners in the mix right now (Amik Robertson and Mike Sainristil). Delane isn't huge, but plays with the physical style Quinn appreciates and could be a target, especially if Washington trades down.
