3 underrated WR prospects who could become impact players for Commanders without using premium pick in 2026 NFL Draft
The Washington Commanders need to add talent at the WR position in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they can easily do so without using their first-round pick on one by selecting one of these underrated prospects.
The Washington Commanders are headed into the 2026 NFL Draft with a much-improved roster, but still have needs that have to be addressed.
The defense took a major leap forward, but the WR room had its misses in free agency. After being unable to land Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs, the Commanders face a difficult decision of selecting a WR at No. 7 overall or waiting until later in the draft.
The Washington Commanders have three options when it comes to underrated WR prospects I’m much higher on than others who could be a day-one impact player without using a premium pick.
Kevin Coleman Jr, Missouri
I almost didn’t put Kevin Coleman Jr. on the list because he has been a quick riser since the Senior Bowl, but this has been one of “my guys” of the draft cycle. Coleman Jr. is easily my favorite slot WR in the draft behind Makai Lemon, and he’s a seamless fit for the Commanders’ offense. He’s 5-10, 180 pounds, and is as shifty as they come.
Missouri’s passing offense struggled, but Coleman Jr. still led the team in catches and yards with 66 receptions for 732 yards. He has excellent deep ball tracking skills and has a high contested catch rate of 81.8% in 2025, so he can compete at the catch point. Coleman Jr. has had a lot of interest from teams, and A to Z Sports currently has him projected to go in the early fourth round, which is much earlier than PFF.
Cyrus Allen, Cincinnati
Cyrus Allen is an electric slot WR who measured in at 5-11, 180 pounds, and he’s one of the best route runners in the entire class. Allen played primarily outside until 2025, when he broke out in the slot with 661 yards and 12 touchdowns, which was top-3 in the country.
His one weakness is his physicality, and he had a contested catch rate of just 20%, which isn’t ideal, but you don’t need to contest for a catch if you can create separation as he does. Allen is projected to go anywhere in the sixth or seventh round and could become a day-three impact player. The Washington Commanders need an explosive slot WR, and Allen is my guy in this draft.
De’Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss
De’Zhaun Stribling is very underrated and one of my favorite WR prospects in the draft. My bold prediction is that Stribling is a top-10 producing WR next season, and he’s currently WR20 to WR23 on most big boards. Stribling is a 6-2, 207-pound WR who dominates in many ways on the outside. He has incredibly strong hands and ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the combine.
Stribing has the perfect blend of speed, body control, and physicality that translates to the NFL, and I have no idea why he’s not getting more hype. He’s had 800+ yards and six touchdowns each of the last two seasons, and averaged 14.5+ yards per catch as well. Stribling is projected to go in the late fourth or early fifth round, and I’d easily take him at No. 147 overall if he falls.
The Washington Commanders have a lot of options to consider at WR if they miss on their guy, or decide to address another position, and I’ll take any of these three underrated prospects.
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