Intriguing Commanders 2026 NFL draft prospects who have must-see matchups during Week 1 of the college football season
These are potential future Commanders to get familiar with during Week 1.
It’s that time of the year, and football is in the air. The regular season is starting for the Washington Commanders next week, but college football has begun, and it’s time to scout draft prospects as well.
I’ll be doing NFL draft content on the A to Z Sports website, but for diehards like myself, I’ll be dropping articles before every Saturday morning of players to watch and keep an eye on through the season that the Commanders will likely be scouting as well.
I’m picking the best matchups every weekend that I can, and not just a top prospect facing a DIII opponent. Here are my first four players to watch for Week 1 that could be future Commanders in April.
**Top Team needs for Commanders: EDGE, WR, Safety, RB, LB, TE**
WR Carnell Tate – Ohio State
Of course, all the talk will be about wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who won’t be coming out until the 2027 draft, but don’t sleep on the Ohio State Buckeyes’ WR2 option in Carnell Tate. After playing behind Smith and Emeka Egbuka last season, Tate is poised to have a breakout season for his Junior year, and he already has all the traits to skyrocket his draft stock.
The Buckeye has a lengthy 6-foot-3 frame and weighs in at 195lbs. He is already a refined route runner, to no surprise of any Ohio State WR, but his ability to pluck anything out of the air stands out as well. Separation comes naturally in his routes, and he has the opportunity to impress out of the gate against the top-ranked Texas Longhorns at noon ET.
Tate had seven catches for 87 yards against the Longhorns in the College Football Playoff Semifinals last season, and he looks to do it once again with a new QB in Julian Sayin.
RB Tre Wisner – Texas
The Commanders have a ton of question marks at running back behind Bill Croskey-Merritt, so I’m keeping my eye on RBs all season. Tre Wisner broke out last season after CJ Baxter went down for the entire year with an injury, and he became a 1,000-yard rusher in his first season as a starter. Baxter is back this year, and this will very likely be the best RB duo in the country.
Wisner is a 6-foot, 194lbs RB that displays elite vision and quickness in his cuts. His contact balance is top-tier as well, and his first sudden burst makes defenders miss. He might not have the long speed of some other top RBs, but he still creates big chunk plays as a rusher or as a receiving back. I’ll be watching how they split carries between Wisner and Baxter against the Buckeyes in Week 1.
The Buckeyes’ front seven has its own top draft prospects, and this won’t be an easy test for Wisner and company to start the season. This will be a game watched many times from now to April.
DL LT Overton – Alabama
Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman LT Overton surprised a lot of people and elected to return to college for his senior season, and he’s a massive factor in the Tide’s success this season. Overton is a massive human being at 6-foot-3 and 274lbs, and he has the rare ability to play inside and outside on the line. He is still only 20 years old as he starts the season, and he plays with dominant strength and burst off the line.
Overton has strong hands to get off blocks, which allows him to be an effective run defender in the country, which the Commanders need desperately. I believe his best reps come from the inside, but don’t sleep on his ability to play outside on the edge as well. I don’t know another draft prospect this season that can do both as well as he does.
The Crimson Tide will have a rainy showdown on the road against the Florida State Seminoles, making this the perfect game for the trenches up front led by Overton.
WR Nic Anderson – LSU
My breakout WR of the season has to be Nic Anderson, who transferred from Oklahoma to LSU after missing almost all of 2024 with an upper quad injury. LSU has a top QB prospect in Garrett Nussmeier, and Anderson is poised to have a massive season on the Tigers’ offense. Anderson’s size POPS off the screen when you see how fluid he runs his routes, and you wouldn’t believe he’s 6-foot-4 and 208lbs by the way he moves.
He was reliable hands, and uses his size and speed to bully defenders before and after the catch. Anderson is a big-play waiting to happen on deep passes or short routes where he can flash his YAC ability. Scouts’ eyes will be glued to this offense, and Anderson can be the top WR option for LSU and the 2026 draft class when it’s all said and done.
Anderson will have his hands full in a top-10 matchup against the Clemson Tiger’s defense led by Aveion Terrell who is a top-20 draft prospect to start the season.
It’s never too early to get familiar with NFL draft prospects who will very likely be on the Commanders’ big board at the end of the season, and Week 1 is loaded with matchups to be excited about.
Washington Commanders News
‘Help him as much as I can’ – Terry McLaurin explains why Commanders rookie is much more than people think going into 2025 season
Expectations for this rookie are high, and Terry McLaurin sees his potential.
