Latest mock draft has Commanders making controversial selection with No. 7 overall pick, but there’s an argument for it
A recent mock draft by Joel Klatt has the Commanders taking CB Mansoor Delane with the No. 7 overall pick, which will cause a debate in the fan base.
The offseason is in full swing for the Washington Commanders, and free agency will be here before we know it.
After free agency, the team will have to pivot to the 2026 NFL Draft, and they will have a tough decision to make with the No. 7 overall pick. The Commanders only have six picks to work with in the draft, so they have to nail them.
Free agency will obviously play a big part in what positions the Commanders decide to target in the draft, and one recent mock draft has them taking a corner in the first round.
Joel Klatt has the Commanders taking CB Mansoor Delane with the No. 7 overall pick
Up until now, the main focus with the No. 7 overall pick among the fanbase and media is that the Commanders should select David Bailey, Rueben Bain Jr, Caleb Downs, or Sonny Styles. Now, there’s a new prospect to think about with Joel Klatt having Washington taking CB Mansoor Delane from LSU in the first round.
Klatt had the Commanders taking Delane over both David Bailey and Caleb Downs, and it’s already stirred a debate on whether it’s the right selection or not. The Commanders’ defense needs an overhaul in many areas, including corner, but would Delane be the best player to pick?
Should the Commanders select Mansoor Delane in the first round?
Cornerback is definitely a need for the Commanders with so many questions regarding Mike Sainristil and his big step back in 2025. However, we don’t know what Sainristil will look like under new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones. Regardless, cornerback is a premium position, and the Commanders haven’t been able to figure it out for a while now.
Delane is a 6-0, 190-pound corner who plays with elite instincts, and he’s extremely sticky in coverage. He’s also stout in the run game as well. Delane does play his best in man coverage, which might be the opposite of what Jones will run on defense, since the Vikings were a heavy zone defense. He still plays at a high level in zone coverage with his ability to read and react to plays.
In 2025, Delane played in 358 coverage snaps and didn’t allow a single touchdown, and only allowed 13 receptions. He also finished with two interceptions and six pass breakups, and allowed a passer rating of just 31.3 last season.
The bottom line is that the Commanders need blue-chip players on the team, especially on defense, and Delane could be that kind of player in Washington. If the Commanders take a swing at other positions in free agency and sign Trey Hendrickson or Boye Maye at EDGE, and a quality linebacker and safety, they can take the best player on the board.
Fans should be open-minded to a lot of options with the No. 7 overall pick, especially with Delane being the top corner in the draft, and a projected instant-impact player with a high ceiling in the NFL.
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