The opinions expressed in this article do not reflect those of the team.
The Washington Commanders have the chance to grab one of the best impact players in the 2026 NFL Draft with the seventh overall pick, but it's always smart to remember that their class is more than just one pick.
As it currently stands, the Commanders will enter the three-day event at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with six picks. Peters has drafted 14 players so far during his time as the Commanders' general manager, and there are several of them who have bright futures in the NFL. That list includes quarterback Jayden Daniels -- his first pick in 2024 at No. 2 overall -- as well as tackle Josh Conerly and cornerback Trey Amos.
The Commanders will have one of the smallest classes this year, which means they'll need to get the most possible value out of every selection. The good news is that the work they did in free agency to address multiple positions of need, such as pass rusher, tight end and running back, puts them in position to take the best players available.
And since most people have been rightfully focused on the No. 7 pick, we're going to broaden the scope and examine a few players in the later rounds who could improve Washington's roster. We'll start with the seventh round, where the Commanders hold the No. 223 overall pick.
- CJ Donaldson, RB, Ohio State: Donaldson led Ohio State with 10 rushing touchdowns as a member of the backfield rotation despite only starting in two games last year. He's a bigger player at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds that will likely need to fight for a roster spot in camp but does have the "thumper" style that some teams covet.
- Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington: Prysock put up solid numbers at the combine with a 4.45 40-yard dash, a 39-inch vertical and a 10-foot-4 broad jump. He has good size at 6-foot-3 with 33-and-one-eighth-inch arms that he used to lead Washington in pass breakups. He'll be a special teamer as a rookie but could develop into a strong member of a rotation at the next level.
- Marvin Jones Jr., EDGE, Oklahoma: Jones comes from a strong NFL lineage. His father, Marvin, was a two-time All-American at Florida State and played in the NFL for a decade. His production took a slight dip in 2025, but there's enough there with his hand speed and ability as a run-stopper to give himself a shot in camp. He'll be viewed as a project until he can develop more as a pass-rusher.
- Jack Kelly, LB, BYU: A First Team All-Big 12 player in 2025, Kelly was disruptive against the pass and run with 13.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. His size -- 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds -- helped him stand out in college, but that might not be the case in the NFL, where linebackers are required to be quicker to help in coverage. He's another long-term project with some upside.
- Pat Coogan, C, Indiana: Coogan is a three-year starter and transferred to Indiana after four seasons with Notre Dame. He was one of the best players on an offensive line that was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, and he was the Offensive MVP of the Rose Bowl. He has the leadership and intelligence that the position demands and could become a starter early in his career.
- Ar'maj Reed-Adams, G, Texas A&M: Reed-Adams is coming into the NFL as an experienced player with 38 starts as a guard at Kansas and Texas A&M. He has good size but needs to develop his lower half to use it effectively at the next level. If he can put in the time to master his craft, he could be a solid contributor as a backup or perhaps even a starter at some point in his career.
- Vincent Anthony Jr., EDGE, Duke: Anthony benefited greatly from his long limbs at the collegiate level, using his length to beat offensive linemen and get in the backfield for 22.5 tackles for loss in his final two seasons. He's a bit undersized, however, and will need to put on some weight as well as add some hand moves in the passing game to reach his full potential.
- Jordan Hudson, WR, SMU: Hudson put up solid numbers in college, but it seems like he could tap into more of his potential with the right coaching staff. He has good size at 6-foot-1, knows how to make contested catches and can create yards after the catch. He hit a career high in receiving yards last year, so hopefully whoever drafts him sees that promise and tries to get more out of him.
- Kendrick Law, WR, Kentucky: It seems like Law is best suited for a slot position in the NFL. He's a good route runner with strong hands, and he used that to lead Kentucky with 540 yards last season. He doesn't have elite speed, but he should be fast enough to get himself open in the middle of the field.
- Owen Heinecke, LB, Oklahoma: Heinecke had to wait four years to be a starter at Oklahoma, but he made the most of his opportunities with 74 tackles and three sacks last season. He's not elite at any one area, but his relentlessness and work ethic help put him in position to make plays. He could be a quality special teams contributor at the next level.
