Breaking down Commanders’ best-case scenario for No. 7 overall pick, and how board needs to fall in 2026 NFL Draft
The Washington Commanders will have a lot of options with their No.7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but it all depends on who falls to them, which hopefully leaves them with a difficult decision.
The NFL Draft is now less than three weeks away, and the anticipation is building on what the Washington Commanders will do with the No. 7 overall pick.
Of course, a lot of it will depend on how the first six picks fall, and they need to hope for the best-case scenario to play out, but what exactly is that? Here’s a look at how the first round needs to start for the Commanders, so they can truly pick exactly who they want and be in the best position to do so.
Pick 1: Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This is the most obvious pick in the NFL Draft, and the recent addition of QB Kirk Cousins won’t change a thing for the Las Vegas Raiders. Fernando Mendoza will be the pick, which is perfect for the Commanders.
Pick 2: New York Jets: Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
The New York Jets have two first-round picks to work with, and the first one needs to be a playmaker. Arvell Reese from Ohio State has been the top pick for a while, and I don’t see that changing either.
Pick 3: Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Now here is where the board needs to fall perfectly. The Arizona Cardinals taking an offensive tackle or an EDGE is the best-case scenario, and picking Francis Mauigoa would help the Commanders a ton. Letting David Bailey and Rueben Bain fall helps the next few picks.
Pick 4: Tennessee Titans: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Of course, the Tennessee Titans are heavily linked to Jeremiyah Love right now, but I don’t see them passing up on a pass rusher like David Bailey if Robert Saleh has anything to say about it.
Pick 5: New York Giants: Trade Back!
EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. is still on the board, and the New York Giants only have two picks in the top-100. Instead of taking LB Sonny Styles at No. 5 overall, they trade back with the Kansas City Chiefs, who take Bain Jr.
Pick 6: Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Cleveland Browns’ offensive line is in shambles, with Tytus Howard and Tevin Jenkins projected to be the starters on the right side. Spencer Fano is a premier OL who was one of the best RT in the country, but can also be moved inside to RG. They need a WR as well, but addressing the OL would be perfect for the Commanders.
Options for the Commanders at Pick 7:
The Commanders will have their choices of RB Jeremiyah Love, WR Carnell Tate, LB Sonny Styles, Safety Caleb Downs, and CB Mansoor Delane if this happens. It literally doesn’t get much better than that.
General manager Adam Peters would have his pick of taking a luxury in Love, Styles, or Downs, or address a premium position with Tate and Delane. Is this realistic? Not 100% of course, but don’t be surprised if some of these actually happen. The NFL Draft is very unpredictable, and you never know how teams feel about certain prospects.
No matter what, the Commanders will still have really good talent on the board, but these are the best-case scenarios to pull for when the NFL Draft starts.
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