The Washington Commanders head into the 2026 NFL Draft with the No. 7 overall pick. In a draft often described as short on blue-chip talent, the Commanders are in an excellent position to land an elite prospect before the talent level drops off. Many draft analysts feel there are around six to eight blue-chip talents in this class, and very little difference between picks 15 through 40.
The problem for Washington is that other teams control the first six picks. While the Commanders may love Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love or Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, there’s a good chance both will be gone. General manager Adam Peters is prepared for virtually every scenario, admitting as much last week.
Everyone knows Washington needs a wide receiver. The Commanders were aggressive in their pursuit of both Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs in free agency, landing neither. They’ve hosted all of the top wide receivers for visits, meeting with each multiple times. Washington will come out of this draft with a receiver, but will it be at No. 7 overall, or will Peters wait?
The top options at receiver are Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) and Makai Lemon (USC). There are other first-round options, too, such as Denzel Boston (Washington), KC Concepcion (Texas A&M) and Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana).
So, which direction will the Commanders go?
ESPN Analytics, using its NFL Draft Day Predictor, simulated the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft and identified which prospects could be on the clock at each position, including No. 7 for the Commanders.
Here are all nine prospects named and their approximate chances of landing with Washington at No. 7:
- Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE, Miami): 22.5%
- Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State): 21%
- Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State): 17.5%
- Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State): 14%
- Francis Mauigoa (OT, Miami): 11%
- Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU): 6%
- Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame): 2%
- David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech): 1.5%
- Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State): 1%
It appears Delane and Tyson are a little low here, while Bain and Mauigoa are a bit too high. We shall see.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: 7 players with best odds to be No. 7 pick