Washington Commanders 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Jayden Daniels gets a playmaker and rebuild continues on defense

Adam Peters makes the most of every pick in this 2026 Commanders mock draft.

Josh Taylor — Washington Commanders News Writer
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The Washington Commanders are 3-8 during their Week 12 bye week, and the season has honestly been over for weeks.

Many people are already thinking about the offseason with no real goals left to fight for, and rightfully so. Six straight losses have shown the flaws of this roster, with Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin missing the majority of the season.

The bye week was needed for everyone, and it’s the perfect time to go through the first Commanders 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft of the season. The Commanders’ draft order will shake up over their last six games, and so will the draft boards, but this is a great starting point to keep an eye on.

Round: 1, Pick: 7 – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Daniels needs a true playmaker outside of McLaurin, and somebody who can take the torch for the future. Jordyn Tyson is my WR1 today and a true playmaker who can become any quarterback’s best friend. He’s explosive and twitchy in his route and displays excellent body control and athletic ability.

Tyson is 6-2, 200 pounds, and has inside-outside versatility. He’s not just a great route runner with excellent hands, but he’s also a real factor as a run blocker on the outside.

Of course, defense will be a top option with this pick, but pass rushers can be too much of a hit or miss in the first round, and Adam Peters can’t afford to miss. Getting a day one impact player for Daniels is just as big a need as defense.

Round: 3, Pick: 71 – Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri

The Commanders need to address the pass-rushing position finally, and I’d do so in the draft and free agency, especially after Dorance Armstrong suffered a season-ending knee injury with no timetable for a return.

Zion Young fits what the Commanders like on the edge: speed, twitch, and the ability to stop the run on the way to the quarterback. Young is 6-5, 262 pounds, and uses his length and power to blend with his burst off the edge. He has six sacks and 30 pressures so far this season.

Young took a step forward in the 2025 season with a 15.3% pass rush win rate and an 8.7% run-stop rate. His numbers and draft process will be ones to watch, and he’s high on my radar after watching him terrorize the SEC this season.

Round: 5, Pick: 147 – Bray Hubbard, Safety, Alabama

This would be an insane value pick. Bray Hubbard is a playmaking safety who can elevate the defense, no matter who takes over as the new defensive coordinator. Hubbard is a fun safety prospect to watch when it comes to his coverage ability, but also the grit to run downhill and blow up plays, whether it’s after a catch or meeting a running back in the open field.

The Commanders need a safety like Hubbard, and the end could be near for Quan Martin, who has been a liability this season.

Hubbard is a 6-3, 213-pound junior, and Alabama has played him as a deep safety, in the box, and even in the slot. He’s not just a thumper; he’s also instinctive and plays fast, which has led to three interceptions this season, and he has only allowed one touchdown.

Round: 6, Pick: 185 – Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

The Commanders need another linebacker for life after Bobby Wagner, which should be this season, and Jacob Rodriguez would be a fantastic addition. He’s played his way into the Heisman conversation after an insane season of seven forced fumbles, four interceptions, nine tackles for a loss, and 100 combined tackles. Rodriguez has more turnovers than most teams by himself, and he’s a huge piece of Texas Tech’s scary defense.

He’s a true leader on the field and a demon in the run and passing game. Rodriguez is PFF’s highest graded defensive player in the entire country with a 93.6 overall grade, a 95.5 run defense grade, and a 93.3 coverage grade.

Round: 6, Pick: 190 – Tanner Koziel, TE, Houston

I don’t think Tanner Koziel will be available at this pick by the time March and April roll around, but he was for now, so I had to take him. The Commanders need to move on from Zach Ertz after the season, and they need another true receiving threat, and that’s what Koziel is.

Whether it’s in the red zone or deep in the middle of the field, Koziel can make a big play at any time. He’s a unit of a man at 6-7, 250 pounds, and he’s used every bit of it to get a nation-leading 16 contested catches this season.

Round: 7, Pick: 221 – Devin Moore, CB, Florida

Cornerback Devin Moore is another prospect who will shoot up the draft boards over the next few months, and he’s one of the most underrated players in the country. Moore is 6-3, 198 pounds, and has the perfect build for a legit corner.

He’s only allowed 16 catches for 167 yards with the season almost over, and a passer rating of only 68.6. Moore has played on 508 defensive snaps and simply doesn’t allow big plays. He’s sticky in coverage and can get up and make a play in the air to get a turnover. I’m a big fan after watching him go through a brutal schedule for the Florida Gators this season.

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