Commanders 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Washington takes trade back offer and passes on top talent for more picks
The Commanders load up on talent after trading back for more picks in the latest 2026 NFL mock draft.
The Washington Commanders are approaching the 2026 NFL Draft, and they’ll have a lot of tough decisions to make.
They’ve already done their homework on many prospects in the draft, and now it’s crunch time to narrow down their options. They currently hold the No. 7 overall pick, but they’re open to anything, including trading back for the right price.
In my latest 7-round mock draft, I have the Commanders trading back with the Miami Dolphins to collect extra picks for 2026 and 2027.
TRADE: Commanders Receive: (2026 1st) No. 11 overall, (2026 3rd) No. 75 overall, 2027 5th-Round Pick
Dolphins Receive: (2026 1st) No. 7 overall
Commanders 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 11 (via MIA): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Commanders trade back to No. 11 with the Dolphins, and select WR Makai Lemon after the Dolphins select Carnell Tate at No. 7 overall. Lemon has already had a private workout with the Commanders and also has a top-30 visit scheduled.
Lemon is a 5-11, 195-pound WR who dominated in his final season in 2025. He finished with over 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns with a contested catch rate of 71.6%. Lemon dominates at the catch point against defenders, but he’s also a separation machine. He will thrive in the slot, but he can play outside as well. I see a lot of Jaxon Smith-Njigba in Lemon’s game, and this would be a great pick.
Round 3, Pick 71: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
The Commanders signed a load of pass-rushing help in free agency, including Odafe Oweh on a four-year deal, but he’s one of the only players under contract after the 2026 season. They still need to add an EDGE for the future, and Dani Dennis-Sutton at No. 71 overall would be a home run. Dennis-Sutton has the talent to be selected much higher, but it’s a deep EDGE class.
Dennis-Sutton has the size and length to dominate at 6-5, 260 pounds with 33.3″ arms. He’s an every-down defensive end who brings juice as a pass rusher and can set the EDGE in the run game. Dennis-Sutton is as competitive as they come, and he’s consistent with 95 pressures and 17 sacks in the last two seasons.
Round 3, Pick 75 (via MIA): Jalon Kilgore, DB, South Carolina
After adding both Amik Robertson and Nick Cross in free agency, the Commanders continue to add to the secondary with versatile defensive back Jalon Kilgore. Kilgore can play at nickel corner or anywhere at safety at 6-0, 210 pounds, and ran a 4.40 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.
New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones has said multiple times that he loves versatility, speed, and high IQ, and Kligore can do it all. He’s a physical run stopper who sets the tone, has the range in coverage and ball skills with eight career interceptions, and has a ton of experience with over 2,200 snaps. Kilgore is the perfect fit for the Commanders’ defense, and they showed him a lot of interest at his Pro Day.
Round 5, Pick 147: Pat Coogan, Center, Indiana
The Commanders released starting center Tyler Biadasz and have yet to land another center. They swung big on Tyler Linderbaum, but came up short. The turn to the NFL Draft for their answer, and Pat Coogan could be the future for the Commanders. Coogan is coming off a National Championship season in which he didn’t allow a single sack and just 10 pressures.
Coogan has the size at 6-5, 311 pounds to play center or guard, and the hand strength to maintain blocks. He was a competitive leader for the Hoosiers and fits what the Commanders like in their locker room. Coogan could easily be a day one starter in the NFL with over 2,600 snaps played.
Round 6, Pick 187: Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri
Chris McClellan has been a fast riser this NFL Draft cycle, and he would be a late-round steal at this point if he falls. The Commanders have a lot of questions at DT, with this very well being Daron Payne’s final season in Washington. McClellan is a 6-4, 323-pound DT who stops the run at a high level, but brings a lot of power and finesse as a pass rusher.
He uses his 34″ arms and 11″ hands to disengage blocks and push linemen out of his way. McClellan had six sacks in 2025, and he’s an every-down player who will stay in the field a lot. The Commanders need to see more from Johnny Newton and Javon Kinlaw, and McClellena can fill in while being the future at DT.
Round 6, Pick 209: J’Mari Taylor, RB, UVA
The RB room will look much different next year for Washington with the additions of Rachaad White and Jerome Ford. They can still add another RB for the future with only Bill Croskey-Merritt under contract after 2026. J’Mari Taylor has the juice and production to take over as RB3. Taylor is a smaller RB at 5-9, but don’t be fooled by that because his 204-pound frame runs people over.
He forced 55 missed tackles in 2025 and racked up over 1,000 yards and 14+ touchdowns each of the last two seasons. Taylor also thrives in pass protection as a three-down back, so good luck taking him off the field when he’s hot.
Round 7, Pick 223: Andre Fuller, CB, Toledo
The Commanders added Kilgore, who could play at nickel or safety, but they still need to add depth at outside CB. Andre Fuller is a sleeper late-round prospect I’ve enjoyed watching recently. His size and length at 6-2, 202 pounds flash on film with his ability to compete at the catch point. Fuller had a forced incompletion rate of 23.1%, which is the sixth-highest of the 2026 NFL Draft class.
Washington added veteran Ahkello Witherspoon as a late free agency signing, but they need younger players who can compete for the future at CB.