<
        >

          NFL Nation

          2026 NFL draft: Latest Washington Commanders updates, intel, buzz

          Sonny Styles could be the type of player the Commanders will take at No. 7. Stacy Revere/Getty Images
          • John KeimApr 16, 2026, 08:42 PM
            Close
              John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on 'The John Keim Report', which airs on ESPN Richmond radio.
            Follow on X

          The 2026 NFL draft begins on April 23 in Pittsburgh, when the Washington Commanders will pick at No. 7 overall in Round 1. The draft continues with Rounds 2-3 on April 24 and Rounds 4-7 on April 25.

          The Commanders have six total picks: Nos. 7, 71, 147, 187, 209 and 223. But how will they use them? Which positions need to be addressed? Which prospects are coming in for visits and getting buzz with the front office and coaching staff?

          Commanders reporter John Keim has the latest intel on the team's draft plans, potential targets and more in the lead-up to the 2026 draft. (We will update this page right up until Round 1 begins.)

          See more on the NFL draft
          Latest mock drafts | Prospect rankings

          Commanders "likely" to stay at No. 7

          April 16: General manager Adam Peters said it's "more likely than not" they stay at seven and draft a player rather than trade back. And, he said, "We're not trying to actively move back."

          Peters said he will be prepared just in case a scenario develops where they're able to trade back a couple spots. And, he said, in some ways it helps that this year there's only eight minutes between picks in the first round rather than 10.

          "It makes you do a lot more work on the front end," Peters said. "If there's a deal at least you get the parameters [before the draft] so you're not hemming and hawing in those eight minutes. ... You're not starting from scratch. You do the work ahead of time, which you always do, but in this one it's maybe more intentional."

          Commanders host several top players

          April 15: The Commanders held an event for their big top 30 visit at a local Top Golf in Ashburn on Tuesday night; the last day to host players is Wednesday.

          More than 20 players attended, including some of the top prospects. Those names included Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, David Bailey, Rueben Bain Jr., Mansoor Delane, Jeremiyah Love and Carnell Tate.

          With a need for a No. 2 receiver opposite Terry McLaurin, Washington had already hosted other potential first-round receivers such Omar Cooper Jr. Jordyn Tyson was scheduled to visit last week and Makai Lemon is scheduled to visit Wednesday.

          Peters' draft strategy is flexible

          Monday, April 13: Peters said he considers positional value when drafting in the top 10. But, more than that, he weighs the impact a player can make, regardless of position.

          Washington could end up drafting a middle linebacker (Sonny Styles), running back (Jeremiyah Love) or safety (Caleb Downs) at No. 7 -- a spot where players at those positions rarely get drafted.

          "I [had linebacker] Fred Warner in San Francisco and I can't tell you how much that guy impacted our team," said Peters. "So there are exceptions to that. You can overthink it by doing that sometimes. I would say take the best player who can help us now and in the future and worry about the second contract later."

          Commanders to host multiple WRs

          Friday, April 10: The Commanders clearly want to add another receiver opposite Terry McLaurin -- whether that comes with the seventh pick or lower remains uncertain.

          They have hosted, or will host, receivers such as Carnell Tate (OSU) and Makai Lemon (USC) and Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana). Because Washington doesn't pick again until the 71st selection, there's a good chance Cooper will be gone by that point.

          They have met multiple times with Ted Hurst (Georgia State), whom one NFC assistant predicted would be gone by the third round. Analysts and teams consider this a deep receiver draft; the question for the Commanders becomes when do they take one? But while they've added more depth at the position, they need someone who can become a strong No. 2 at the very least.

          Commanders host intriguing receiver at pro day

          Thursday, April 9: The hosted 37 players at a local pro day on Wednesday, with one of the more intriguing players invited being Navy receiver Eli Heidenreich, who is 6-foot, 198 pounds. He has said some teams view him as a slot receiver but a league source said others have told him they envision a role similar to Deebo Samuel or Christian McCaffrey. Washington general manager Adam Peters, of course, has experience with both players from his time in San Francisco as well as with the Commanders.

          Heidenrich has posted a relative athletic score of 9.23 (out of 10). That's important because of the six players Peters has drafted in Washington in Rounds 4 or lower, five of them had an RAS of at least 9.22.