Commanders 2026 NFL Draft Preview: Washington’s solution to critical position could be found on day three of draft
The Commanders can finally address one glaring need in the NFL Draft after a questionable roster change.
The Washington Commanders are headed into the 2026 NFL Draft with an improved roster, but they still have glaring needs to address.
One of the biggest is at a critical position where they decided to make a drastic change, and have yet to find a solution. The Commanders released starting center Tyler Biadasz before free agency and swung at Tyler Linderbaum, but came up short. They have yet to add competition at the position, but their answer could be found on day three of the NFL Draft.
The Commanders should draft Center Jager Burton in the fifth round
The Commanders are going into the NFL Draft with Nick Allegretti as the starting center, and there’s a high chance they’ll add his competition with one of their six picks. There aren’t many centers in the NFL Draft worth taking with the No. 71 overall pick, so I’m looking at their fifth-round pick at No. 147 overall as the landing spot for a center.
Kentucky center Jager Burton is my choice, and he’s been a fast riser throughout the draft process after showing off his skills at the NFL Scouting Combine. Burton ran a 4.94 40-yard dash at 6-4, 312 pounds, and finished with a 9.87 Relative Athletic Score, which the Commanders always love.
Why Jager Burton is the answer for the Commanders
The Commanders need a center who can pass protect, but also move in space, which he can do after a 4.52 shuttle. Offensive coordinator David Blough’s offense will use a lot of outside zone plays and needs a center who can pull across and get to the second level in the run game.
Burton brings a ton of experience with over 2,600 snaps, and he can also play at left guard, which could use an upgrade in the run game. He only allowed 12 pressures and not a single sack in 2025, and flashed his ability to block on the move. Burton is the perfect fit for what Blough wants at center, and he could be a day three selection who turns into a legit starter for the Commanders.
Four of the Commanders’ six draft picks are on Day 3, and finding a new starting center would help this draft class become an impactful group that actually plays right away. Burton could be the late-round find that takes over as Jayden Daniels’ enforcer on the offensive line.