Commanders 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Washington trades back in first round to load up on talent with extra picks
The Washington Commanders are looking to reload in the 2026 NFL Draft, but they only have six picks to work with. In this 7-round NFL mock draft, the Commanders trade back for more ammo to improve the roster.
Feb 5, 2024; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters smiles during an introductory press conference for Commanders head coach Dan Quinn (not pictured) at Commanders Park.
© Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
The Washington Commanders are just over one week away from being on the clock in the 2026 NFL Draft.
They only have six picks in this year’s draft, so they have to make them count. NFL insiders are expecting this to be a trade-heavy draft, so the Commanders could be a trade-back team to watch. In my latest 7-round Washington Commanders NFL mock draft, I explored what a trade back could look like.
TRADE:
–Commanders receive: 2026 1st (Pick No. 17 overall), 2026 2nd (No. 50 overall), 2026 4th (No. 118 overall), 2027 6th-round pick.
–Lions receive: 2026 1st (No. 7 overall).
Round 1, Pick 17: Omar Cooper Jr, WR, Indiana
The Washington Commanders need an explosive WR still, especially in the slot, so I traded back for Omar Cooper Jr. They brought in Cooper Jr. for a top-30 visit, so they must have some interest, and it’s easy to see why. Cooper Jr. was one of the best WRs in the country last season and finished with 937 yards and 13 touchdowns.
He’s a bigger slot WR at 6-0, 201 pounds, which helps him break through tackles, where he forced the fourth-most missed tackles last year with 27. Cooper Jr. is the perfect fit for David Blough’s scheme, with his ability to stretch the field and win consistently after the catch. Teams are really high on Cooper Jr, and trading back to get him at 17 is a great option.
Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. is a guy I’m likely going to be higher on than most. Hard to find too many holes in his game. Speed, suddenness, hands, toughness, and RAC. Total package.
Top-20 prospect for me pic.twitter.com/hY1MlbAeHQ
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) February 9, 2026
Round 2, Pick 50: A.J. Haulcy, Safety, LSU
The Washington Commanders add a second-round pick in the trade back and land dynamic safety A.J. Haulcy. They added Nick Cross in free agency, but the defense still needs another safety, and Haulcy would be a great compliment for Cross.
Haulcy is a playmaker at 5-11, 215 pounds, and he would easily be the Commanders’ best coverage safety on day one. He plays with great speed, range, and IQ, reading and reacting to plays. Haulcy often baited QBs to throw the ball when he wanted them to, which led to eight interceptions in the last two seasons.
Round 3, Pick 71: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
It’s been heavily rumored that the Commanders are looking to add another premier outside CB, but they haven’t yet this offseason. Texas CB Malik Muhammad says the Commanders have shown him a lot of interest, which is great news for the defense.
Muhammad is the perfect pick at No. 71 overall for me because he’s a young lockdown CB who could finally be their answer. He’s 6-0, 182 pounds, but he plays very physically at the line of scrimmage. Muhammad is quick, fluid, and great in man and zone coverage, all while being just 21 years old.
Malik Muhammad (6’0 182) Texas
+ Good athlete that ran a 4.42 40-yard dash with a 1.51 10-yard split and a 39” vertical jump
+ Willing and capable in run support
+ 57.7% completion rate allowed against for his career
+ Almost 2,000 snaps played in his three seasons at Texas
+… pic.twitter.com/tVRoCJD8qI
— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) February 28, 2026
Round 4, Pick 118: Sam Hecht, Center, Kansas State
The Washington Commanders use their other added pick to select their future center, Sam Hecht, who could even start next season. Hecht is a well-balanced center who thrives in both pass protection and run blocking with his movement and athleticism. The Commanders need a new center, and Hecht is exactly what they need with his mobility and strength off the line.
Hecht is one of the top center prospects in the NFL Draft at 6-4, 300 pounds, and he didn’t lose a single rep at the Senior Bowl when I watched him. He showed his excellent footwork and strong hands against some of the best defensive tackles all season long.
Sam Hecht (6’4 297) Kansas State
+ Fires off the snap
+ Impressed during Senior Bowl week
+ 78.1 pass block grade in 2025
+ 77.7 run block grade
+ Good functional athleticism
+ Blocking in space
+ Quick to hit his mark and seal off defensive linemen
+ 8 pressures and 0 sacks… pic.twitter.com/e5A2ATi1GM
— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) February 3, 2026
Round 5, Pick 147: Caden Curry, EDGE, Ohio State
Adding an EDGE might not be a top priority if the board doesn’t fall the right way, but Caden Curry is an underrated gem worth taking in the fifth round. The Commanders added Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson, and Charles Omenihu, but Oweh is the only EDGE player under contract after the season.
Curry might lack the size at 6-3, 257 pounds, and 30″ arms, but his relentless motor will have teams wanting him on their defense. He finished 2025 with 11 sacks, 46 pressures, and 16.5 tackles for loss.
Round 6, Pick 187: Nick Barrett, DT, South Carolina
The Commanders need more depth at defensive tackle, especially with this likely being Daron Payne’s last year in Washington. Nick Barrett is another underrated later-round player who can make an impact, especially in the run game. The Commanders’ run defense has been horrible for the last few seasons, and Barrett can be a major boost at 6-3, 312 pounds.
Barrett had a 10% run-stop rate in 2025, which is one of the highest of the entire defensive tackle draft class. He has powerful hands and is way more athletic than suggested at his size.
South Carolina NT Nick Barrett is flying under the radar in a deep NT class. Good mover for his size (6’3 322) who plays with heavy hands and violence at the point of attack. Limited as a pass rusher but should be able to carve out a role in a DL rotation sooner than later pic.twitter.com/kwkc4i3TGf
— Steve Letizia (@CFCBears) January 16, 2026
Round 6, Pick 209: Noah Whittington, RB, Oregon
I can’t stop mocking Noah Whittington to the Commanders because he’s such a fun watch, and would be perfect in that RB committee. Whittington is a power horse but also elusive at 5-8, 205 pounds. He makes people miss in space, or runs you over if he’s stuck in traffic, and averaged 6.4 yards per carry in 2025.
Whittington also had zero fumbles last year and had the toughness to play through injuries. Teams will love his toughness, his ability to create those wow plays, and most importantly, his production.
Oregon’s Noah Whittington is my favorite day 3 RB. 5’8 205 but runs bigger with good contact balance. Good tempo, waits for his blocks to develop and can sueeze through the smallest opening. Also wants to hit dudes in pass pro. Easy to see him carving out a role in a rotation. pic.twitter.com/eVPEmFDWYb
— Steve Letizia (@CFCBears) March 1, 2026
Round 7, Pick 223: Micah Morris, OG, Georgia
We saw the Commanders bring back left guard Chris Paul on a cheap deal, but it doesn’t look like he’s the answer with just a one-year deal. Paul really struggles in the run game, so I have the Commanders taking Micah Morris, who I think could be a seventh-round gem to develop as a rookie.
Morris is a strong, versatile lineman at 6-4, 330 pounds who can play at both guard spots or even tackle. Dropping about 10-15 pounds and playing guard is where he would excel. He didn’t allow a single sack in almost 1,000 career pass-blocking snaps, and is just 22 years old.
Micah Morris (6’5 346) Georgia
+ Thick frame and heavy hands
+ Upper body strength
+ Versatility with snaps logged at both guard spots and left tackle
+ 99.4% pass blocking efficiency throughout his career
+ 83.7 pass block grade in 2025
+ Sturdy and consistent anchor
+ Just 4… pic.twitter.com/saQs84HQjy
— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) January 30, 2026
Washington Commanders News
Commanders get rid of Daron Payne in latest trade offer and totally rob the team they traded with at the same time
The Washington Commanders trade away Daron Payne for more picks in the 2026 NFL Draft in the latest proposed scenario, which would be a massive win for Adam Peters, who robbed the Jacksonville Jaguars.
