In 2024, with a rookie quarterback in Jayden Daniels, the Washington Commanders shocked the NFL world and went 12-5 in the regular season, advancing to the NFC Championship Game. It was clear, at least at that point, that the team had the infrastructure for long-term success. However, in 2025, the wheels fell off big-time, and the team's record flipped, as they finished 5-12.
The 2025 campaign really maginified just how average this roster was and is. Not only that, but the team struggled to stay healthy, so not only was the overall talent a concern, but the injuries made it impossible to make much progress. Now, all of a sudden, Washington is looking up in the NFC East, and it would not shock me if they finished third or fourth in 2026 if this offseason isn't where it needs to be.
With limited capital in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Commanders truly have to hit the draft out of the park and also make a ton of positive strides in free agency as well. Let's get into a post-NFL Combine mock draft.
Washington Commanders post-NFL Combine mock draft
7. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Bobby Wagner is a free agent this offseason, and even if the Commanders would have interest in bringing him back, it would be impossible to pass up on Styles, who had himself a day at the NFL Combine, showing off top-tier athleticism and only further reinforcing just how elite of a prospect he is.
A positive and negative of having an average roster is that the Commanders will have a plethora of different paths available to them at pick seven, which even could include trading down, but a negative is that it's going to take more than just one first-round pick to fix this operation, but Styles is a great start.
71. Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
What sticks out with Max Klare is that not only does he have receiving upside, but he's also already a willing blocker and someone who can play from day one. With these types of tight end prospects being a bit uncommon in the NFL Draft, that should bode well for Klare's chances to make it as a top player at his position.
With Zach Ertz set to be a free agent this offseason, Washington can again get younger at a key position and snag Klare at pick 71, which feels like really strong value.
145. Josh Cameron, WR, Baylor
Josh Cameron doesn't have a ton of athletic upside, but he has a lot of movement in his short-area routes and could be able to act as an early third down target for Daniels, who did struggle to stay on the field a bit. Washington's wide receiver room simply needs a bit of an overhaul in the offseason.
186. Vincent Anthony Jr, EDGE, Duke
Vincent Anthony Jr is 6-6 and 250 pounds, so the size is there. He had 7.5 sacks in 2025 for Duke and could be a rotational player along the defensive line, another area of the roster where Washington could see a bit of free agent turnover.
197. Cameron Ball, DT, Arkansas
Cameron Ball is another rookie draft pick along the defensive line for Washington. In today's NFL, games are won (and lost) in the trenches, so General Manager Adam Peters has to get both sides of the ball in that area fortified this offseason no matter what.
224. Diego Pounds, OT, Ole Miss
Washington's final pick is Diego Pounds, a 6-6, 335 pound tackle from Ole Miss. The Commanders could get a future swing tackle here with some spot-starting upside by taking a swing on Pounds.