Washington Commanders 2026 Draft Prospects: The Little Board (2026)

The 2026 Bris Vegas Washington Commanders Little Board

With the 2026 draft just a few days away, it is time to unveil my annual Washington Commanders Little Board.

The big name draft analysts and media outlets all have their Big Boards, listing 100 to 300 prospects. That’s a lot of names for the casual Commanders fan to wade through to find the 6 players that Adam Peters will be an idiot for passing up later this week. To simplify the process, I’ve narrowed it down to just 12 players who are guaranteed to get the Commanders back to the Super Bowl.

The Little Board grew out of a list of 12 must-have prospects I used to compile in every draft, as a way to stay connected to my home town team, back before the advent of streaming services made it easy to follow them in Australia. It is a list of players I like for one reason or another, and is definitely not an attempt to predict players the Commanders will actually pick. Over the years, as I have followed the draft in greater depth, it has bloated from the original 12 players, and I have been trying to pare it back down. This year I nearly succeeded, except for the appendage I had to tack on at the end.

During the dark years, before Adam Peters replaced Ron Rivera as head of personnel, the Little Board was mainly a list of players who were destined to become Ravens, Packers, Steelers, Patriots and for some reason Titans (whom I will never forgive for drafting A.J. Brown). Since AP took over, more and more Little Boarders have been finding their way onto the roster.

Last year’s Little Board (https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/24/24415619/the-brisvegas-2025-washington-commanders-little-board) set a new record, with three mentioned players drafted by the Commanders: CB Trey Amos, WR/PR Jaylin Lane, RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The caveat is that they were all alternate selections, which I include as my cheat to mention more players that I like.

That was, without a doubt, the best performing Little Board to date. Normally it’s a lot more hit and miss. Most of the main selections had very good to impressive rookie debuts for other teams, including S Nick Emmanwori (AP DroY-2), S Xavier Watts (AP DroY-4), NT Jamaree Caldwell (5 starts, 1 PD, 1 FF, 1 sack, 31 comb tackles, 5 TFL), G Tate Ratledge (17 starts, 73.5 RBlk grade), WR Tre Harris (10 starts, 30 Rec, 324 Yds, 1 TD, 6/8 CTC), and RB Quinshon Judkins (14 starts, 827 Yds, 7 TD; 26 rec, 171 Yds), and RB Cam Skattebo (5 starts, 410 yds, 5 TD; 24 Rec, 207 yds, 2 TD).

A few others had solid rookie outings, including CB Azareye’h Thomas, DE J.T. Tuimoloau, WR Jaylin Noel, WR Dont’e Thornton. And only two struggled to get on the field (DT JJ Pegues) or struggled when they were on it (OL Anthony Belton).

It will be hard to replicate that success rate this year. To increase my chances of finding the gems of the draft class, I have enlisted the help of my 18 year old son, Sam. Thanks to Jayden Daniels, Sam is now the biggest Washington Commanders’ fan under 60 in the Southern Hemisphere. He has been helping me build the DraftBot’s board, and will be giving his picks for each of the categories.

At 7th Overall

Ordinarily, the Little Board includes some “Impossible Dream” picks near the top of the draft order. This year, one of those dreams is likely to come true, courtesy of the Commanders’ disappointing 5-12 finish. The following three prospects represent the silver lining to the storm clouds of 2025.

Mansoor Delane (https://www.hogshaven.com/nfl-draft/407258/2026-nfl-draft-profile-lsu-db-mansoor-delane), Senior, LSU

6-0 | 187 lbs | 4.38s 40 | Age 22

Consensus Rank: 10

Commanders’ Meetings: Combine, Top 30 Visit

Mansoor Delane is the premiere shutdown corner in the draft class. In 357 coverage snaps, SEC WR1s in his coverage were targeted just 35 times for 14 receptions, 165 yds and 0 TDs. His interception count might seem low, but that’s because he starved himself of opportunities by erasing his receivers. He intercepted 5.7% of his targets, which was the 11th highest rate of interceptions among 59 consensus-ranked CB prospects.

Pairing Delane with Trey Amos will take away the perimeter from opposing QBs, giving the pass rush extra time to work, forcing bad decisions to generate opportunities for defense. The logic is inescapable. Mansoor Delane will be the Commanders pick at #7, if he’s still available.

SamInBrisVegas Pick: Mansoor Delane

Caleb Downs, Junior, Ohio State

6-0 | 206 lbs | Arms 30.25” | Age 21

2025 Stats: 68 Comb Tkl | 7.2% Run Stop Rate| 0.47 Y/Cov Snap | 2 FF | 1 Sack | 2 INT | 2 PD

Consensus Rank: 9

Commanders Meetings: Combine

It’s possible that a CB needy team like the Chiefs will jump ahead of the Commanders to snap up Delane. If that happens, the choice comes down to splitting the tie between two OSU defenders. Downs barely nudges ahead, by virtue of being the more refined prospect and playing a position where the Commanders have just one plausible starter.

Downs has been labelled a “football savant” for his uncanny ability to anticipate offensive plays and see through misdirection. He is a do it all safety, who excels at stopping the run, and is well versed at playing man or zone coverage and rushing the passer. He is at his best near the line, where he provides an interchangeable chess piece for Daronte Jones to stress offenses. But he can play single high or cover tight ends down the seam, as the need arises.

Leaving a talent of this magnitude on the board carries the risk of a lifetime of comparisons to Ron Rivera (see 2022 draft). Nobody wants that for the Commanders’ fledgling GM.

SamInBrisVegas Pick: Caleb Downs

Sonny Styles (https://www.hogshaven.com/washington-commanders-analysis/407794/the-peculiar-case-of-sonny-styles), Senior, Ohio State

6-5 | 244 lbs | 32.9” arms | 4.46 sec 40 | RAS 9.99 | Age 21

Consensus Rank: 6

Commanders Meeting: Combine, Team Pro Day, Top 30 Visit

Styles is an elite athlete and has been described as a raw prospect, who is still learning the nuances of the LB position following the transition from safety in his junior season. His elite productivity against top-level competition in run defense, combined with quality figures in coverage and the pass rush, in just his second year playing LB, tell me the sky is his limit.

Styles draws comps to LB Fred Warner and S Kyle Hamilton, or maybe some combination of the two. Having tweener characteristics is seen as a knock by many NFL teams, but in Daronte Jones’ new defense, it’s likely to be a feature.

SamInBrisVegas Pick: Sonny Styles

Day 2

The Commanders currently only have a single Day 2 pick in the third round. But they could add more Day 2 selections in a trade, particularly if the Titans pass on Jeremiyah Love, allowing him to drop and spark a bidding war at #7.

War Daddy – iOL Keylan Rutledge, Senior, Georgia Tech

6-4 | 316 lbs | 33.25” arms | RAS 9.53 | Age 22

2025 Stats: 13 Games | 872 Blk Snps | 1.4% Pressure Rate | 0. Sacks | 76.8 Run Blk Grade

Consensus Rank: 58

Commanders’ Meetings: Senior Bowl

The Commanders don’t necessarily need another starting guard, with Sam Cosmi, Brandon Coleman and Chris Paul on the roster. But are all of those guys really War Daddies ? You’re always going to need more bodies on the OL to get through a season. And it never hurts to have the backups pushing for starting time. Rutledge is the kind of player the Eagles would pick, when they’re already set at guard. And look how good their OL is.

Rutledge is a mauler, with the power to ragdoll defenders and the mean streak to really enjoy it. A lot of his reps end with the defender on the ground. He is also extremely athletic for such a big man, with the movement skills to fit any blocking scheme. He might have a few things to clean up with his footwork, but he’s still a day one starter.

Not sold yet? How about if I told you he has been practicing at guard and center throughout the draft process? He believes he has the versatility to play any position on the iOL, which would make him an instant upgrade at LG while he learns the center position. I don’t doubt him.

The only problem with Rutledge is that he is projected to fall in the gap between the Commanders’ first- and third-round picks. AP will need to find a second-round pick to make this happen. Get on it, AP.

Could have picked: see Nose Tackle, below

SamInBrisVegas Pick: LB Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech)

Swiss Army Knife – Nickel Safety, Keionte Scott, Senior, Miami FL

5-11 | 193 lbs | 4.33 sec 40 | RAS 8.97 | Age 24

Consensus Rank: 59

Commanders Meetings: Top 30 Visit

Nobody can agree what position Scott plays. Based on pre-snap alignments, he’s a nickel safety, although a lot of outlets group him with the CBs. But it’s not how they line-up, it’s where they wind up , right? He ticks the box as an interchangeable defensive back for a “position agnostic” defense.

Scott stops the run like a linebacker. His Run Stop Rate is double those of the best CBs in the draft class. He covers slot receivers and plays robber safety. He strips the ball to generate turnovers. He scores on defense. And Miami blitzed him the most of any DB in the draft class, with great results.

Is there anything more exciting than a corner blitz for a sack? No, there’s not, except for a pick-6, or a strip sack. Check, check, check.

On top of all that, coaches rave about his locker room leadership. He’s been here for a Top 30 visit. No doubt he’s got the Commander tag. If he falls to pick #71, which might be a stretch, place your jersey order early. He will be a fan favorite.

Could have picked: V.J. Payne (Kansas State) on Day 3; DeShon Singleton Jr (Nebraska), Round 7/UDFA

SamInBrisVegas Pick: FB/QB Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech); Day 3 - FB/RB/WR - Eli Heidenreich (Navy)

Shutdown Corner - Davison Igbinosun, Senior, Ohio State

6-2 | 189 lbs | 32 7/8” arms | 4.45s 40 | RAS 7.46 | Age 21

2025 Stats: 53 Comb Tkl | 2.8% Run Stop Rate | 0.57 Y/Cov Snap | 2 INT | 8 PD | 207 Yds Allowed | 0 TD

Consensus Rank: 73

Commanders’ Meetings: Senior Bowl

If the Commanders miss out on drafting a shutdown corner at 7, Igbinosun could be their second bite of the cherry with their current picks. He’s the type of long, physically imposing press corner we associate with Dan Quinn, with some similarities to Byron Murphy who played for Daronte Jones in Minnesota.

He is experienced for a young player, and has shown strong growth in four years at Ohio State, with upside to develop further. He is one of the best CBs in the draft class in run defense (Run Stop Rate > 90th percentile). His rate of yardage allowed in coverage was above the 75th percentile. He should be ready to contribute right away in press coverage looks. With some technique improvements, he could push for starting time early in a zone-heavy scheme.

Could have picked: Chris Johnson, San Diego State

SamInBrisVegas Pick: D’angelo Ponds (Indiana); alternatively Chris Johnson

Shutdown Corner - Davison Igbinosun, Senior, Ohio State

6-1 | 223 lbs | 4.33 sec 40 | RAS 9.87 | Age 22

2025 Rushing Stats: 167 Att | 1,070 yds | 8 TD | 6.4 Y/A | 3.9 YAC/Att | 34 MTF | 3 Fumbles

2025 Receiving Stats: 36 Tgt | 28 Rec (78%) | 226 Yd | 1 TD | 1 Drop | ADOT 0.0 | 8.7 YAC/Rec

Consensus Rank: 66

Commanders Meetings: Senior Bowl, Team Pro Day

Mike Washington is a big, muscled-up, interior runner, with the speed to take it to the house whenever he sees daylight, and the power to break tackles and make his own opportunities. In his breakout season with Arkansas, 48.3% of his rushing production came on runs of 15 or more yards. He is an equally explosive play threat on screens and checkdowns.

He has a similar athletic profile and running style to Adrian Peterson, and similar ball security concerns. He has the durability to handle a bell cow role, but will need to improve his pass protection to become a three down back. While he’s learning, he would be an instant upgrade to the Commanders’ running game, as a complement to Bill, with Rachaad White and Jeremy McNichols splitting 3rd down reps.

Could have picked: WR Omar Cooper Jr (Indiana), don’t ask me how

Sam in BrisVegas Pick: WR Malik Benson (Oregon), alternatively RB Robert Henry (UTSA)

Day 3

Raw Talent/Untapped Potential – EDGE Keyron Crawford, Senior, Auburn

6-4 | 253 lbs | 32” arms | Age 22

Consensus Rank: 89 and rising

Commanders Meetings: Combine, Team Pro Day

My personal favorite Day 3 prospect for the Commanders, except that he’s generating buzz and has moved up to Day 2. The Commanders would probably need to add a pick for him to become a consideration, because more polished prospects are likely to be available at #71. But none with more untapped potential.

Crawford played the “Buck” position at Auburn, which is analogous to the hybrid edge role that Andrew Van Ginkel played with Daronte Jones in Minnesota. It requires an OLB who can rush the passer and drop into coverage, which is a rare combination of skills.

Crawford plays like his hair is on fire. He is explosive and violent, and plays every rep at max speed, through the whistle. He has the bend and burst to make up for less than ideal length. He also held up well playing the most coverage snaps of any ED in the draft class. He switched from basketball to football five years ago, and is still learning the position. Nevertheless, he is already near the top of the class in generating pressure and is very good in coverage for an OLB.

He didn’t do tests at the Combine or pro days. But