The DraftBot is back, just in the nick of time, to provide its final mock draft of the 2026 draft cycle. We were lucky that it made it in time. I had to drive out to Amberly Airforce Base, west of Ipswich, in the wee small hours to unload it from the back of a C-17A. It had been detained on field assignment and had to make alternative travel arrangements.
For readers who are unfamiliar with the backstory, The DraftBot was originally conceived as a joke to demonstrate how it would have been for Dan Snyder’s Redskins to draft a franchise QB by just following a simple set of rules. To make it work, I partnered up with some friends at local tech startup Bris Vegas Systems, who programmed up the original rule set on one of their devices. In the first demo, it successfully redrafted Drew Brees, Ben Roethisberger, Aaron Rodgers, and Lamar Jackson, along with a few notable busts.
The experiment caught the attention of a shadowy Australian government agency, who funded an ambitious upgrade program for use in other data integration and decision-making applications. The partnership was highly successful, and the Bris Vegas team have been happy to allow to let me keep using it for mock drafts when it is not on assignment.
Over the years, it has become more sophisticated. It became self-aware, shortly after the upgrade to a biocybernetic neural network processor, and has been exhibiting increasingly human behaviors ever since. The good news is that, since the start of the 2024 season, it has finally grasped why we enjoy football. In the process, it has become a Commanders fan. So it is more than happy to help, when it’s in town.
A lot has happened since the DraftBot’s Way Too Early Mock Draft during the Week 12 bye, after it was clear that the 2025 season was toast. Despite the upgrades in free agency, the DraftBot still feels the need for an infusion of impact players to the starting roster and youth in the depth ranks.
It is growing increasingly frustrated by missing the draft picks that Adam Peters traded for Laremy Tunsil, although it does appreciate the one he got back for Brian Robinson.
In this mock, it will seek opportunities to add more draft picks. However, it faces a dilemma. It really likes the opportunity it has to add an impact player on defense at the seventh overall pick. Its Scouting Department has assembled a board containing 136 players. It considers four players at the top of the board to have transformative potential on defense:
- CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
- LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
- S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
- ED David Bailey, Texas Tech
It is reluctant to trade out of range to pick at least one of those players. That sets its asking price for trades back more than 4 places (or fewer, depending on who is available) at well over trade chart value. It believes that was the message that Adam Peters sent to the league when he told the press at the owners’ meeting that the team was not actively looking to trade down.
Since negotiating a trade for the 7th overall pick will be challenging, it sees the 71st overall pick as its best trade opportunity. That aligns well with its board. The highest concentration of targets is in the 2nd round, which has 26 listed players. After that, there is a second sweet spot from the third through the top of the fifth rounds, where it would like to add another pick, or more, if the opportunity presents.
The DraftBot used the Fanspeak Mock Draft Simulator, using the Consensus Mock Draft Database Consensus Board and CPU strategy set to balanced between drafting for need and BPA.
Consensus Ranks refer to the Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board, not the DraftBot’s board, which only lists 136 prospects. Player ranks within the text refer to the DraftBot’s board.
Round 1, Pick 7 – Mansoor Delane, LSU
Aug 30, 2025; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) celebrates with safety Tamarcus Cooley (0) after a play against the Clemson Tigers during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
6-0 | 187 lbs | 4.38s 40 | Age 22
2025 Statists: 11 games | 0.46 Y/Cov Snap | 35 targets | 14 rec |165 Yd Allowed | 0 TD
Commanders’ Meetings: Combine, Top 30 Visit
The DraftBot did not receive any trade offers. But it was pleased to find the top player on its board available at this pick. The simulations we ran before the draft raised some concern about the Saints or Chiefs possibly trading up to pick Delane ahead of the Commanders. Fortunately, that did not happen.
What stands out about Delane is what does not show up in the stat line. Delane is a shutdown corner, who can erase a team’s primary receiver in man coverage, and take away a side of the field in zone. The DraftBot’s analysis revealed that lockdown corners are undervalued in the draft, due to the paucity of overt production statistics.
Pairing Delane with second year starter, Trey Amos, who also flashed lockdown ability early in his rookie season, will make things very difficult for opposing QBs, resulting in extended pocket time to feed the pass rush, and poor decision making to generate turnovers. Delane will be a force multiplier for Daronte Jones attacking defense.
The lack of trade offers was a mild surprise, since RB Jeremiyah Love was available at the pick, and had been expected to drive trade interest, if he wasn’t drafted earlier.
The Fanspeak simulator was not as impressed with the pick, which it considered to be a reach. They also assessed CB as an intermediate-level need, which the DraftBot called a crazy take, given the absence of a starting-level outside CB on the current roster to pair with Amos.
The DraftBot selected Delane based on talent level and potential impact. It considered the perfect alignment with the team’s biggest roster need to be an extra bonus.
This is how the rest of the entire first round played out:
The big surprise is that Jeremiyah Love was still available to start Day 2. Arvell Reese and Reuben Bain also fell well past their consensus projections. Reese was not on the DraftBot’s board, since the Scouting Department viewed him as a traits-based projection with high bust risk. The scouts had a “boom or bust” rating on Bain, so his slide was not a surprise, either. The DraftBot would have taken him about where the Ravens got him.
The DraftBot was hoping for a trade offer to add an additional pick in the early part of Day 3. The Colts obliged by offering a mid-fifth round pick to move up 7 places in Round 3.
This trade was not without risk, since the top player on the DraftBot’s board had already fallen from a mid-second round projection. However, several other priority targets were still available. On balance, the high probability of drafting an early starter at 78 made the risk palatable.
Round 3, Pick 78 – iOL Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech
6-4 | 316 lbs | 33.25” arms | RAS 9.53 | Age 22
2025 Stats: 1.4% Pressure Rate Allowed | 0 Sacks | 76.8 Run Blk Grade
Commanders’ Meetings: None
The DraftBot could not believe its luck. The player it was worried about losing at 71 continued his slide to 78, making the additional 5th round pick obtained in the trade essentially free.
Rutledge is profiled the Centers position roundup. He is a big mauler who generates movement in the run game and manhandles pass rushers and second level defenders. Exceptional athleticism for his size equips him to play in any blocking scheme.
Rutledge played guard in college, but has been taking snaps at center throughout the draft process to showcase his versatility. He is a Day 1 upgrade at LG, and will compete with Nick Allegretti for the starting center position as soon as he has mastered the finer points of the position in a crash course with the Commanders.
Rutledge was the 29th ranked player on the DraftBot’s board. He was accompanied on his slide by 33rd ranked Treydan Stukes (CB, Arizona). The selection of Mansoor Delane in the first round further widened the gap. The next players on the board at this pick were RB Mike Washington (38), and DT Gracen Halton (46). It was an easy decision.
Fanspeak liked this pick better, but seems to have missed that the pick aligns with the team’s #2 need heading into the draft. The DraftBot admits that alignment with need was part of the appeal. But Rutledge was rated above any other available player even before adjustments were made for fit with the current roster.
Round 5 Pick 147 – WR De’Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 01: WR De’Zhaun Stribling #1 of the Ole Miss Rebels makes a catch while defended by DB Daylen Everette #6 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl between Ole Miss Rebels and Georgia Bulldogs on January 1, 2026, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
6-2 | 207 lbs | 4.36 sec 40 | RAS 9.57 | Age 23
2025 Stats: 58 rec | 811 yds | 6 TD | CROE +6.8% | YAC/Rec 7.3 (rk 10) | Run Blk Grade 76.6 (rk 3)
Commanders’ Meetings: Team Pro Day, Zoom Meeting
Stribling is a native Hawaiian and the son of a US Marine. He is a big, fast and productive wideout with the speed to take the top off of defenses, with the ballskills and wide catch radius to be a dangerous intermediate and deep target. He is also a threat to gain yards after the catch, and is one of the best run blockers in the WR class.
Stribling slots in immediately as a vertical receiving threat for Jayden Daniels. He has the physical tools to develop as an X receiver, with more work on his release package and playing to his size.
Once again, the DraftBot could not believe its luck finding Stribling (DraftBot board rank 58) still available at this pick. The next two players on its board were also receivers, and well separated (WR Malik Benson, Oregon, rk 66; TE Justin Joly, NC State, rk 69), which made the decision easy.
The DraftBot was also pleased to add a Polynesian player to the roster, since its Personnel Department is convinced that Islanders make better football players.
The DraftBot is amused by Fanspeak’s grade for this pick. Stribling had a third round grade on its board. It is beginning to suspect that Fanspeak loaded the Mock Draft Database board early in the draft, when Stribling had a 5th round projection, and never updated it. He has been a major riser throughout the draft process.
Round 5, Pick 156 – WR Malik Benson, Oregon
6-0 | 189 | 31.9” arms | 4.37 sec 40 | RAS 6.06 | Age 23
2025 Stats: 43 Rec | 719 Yds | 6 TD | 14.7% CROE | ADOT 13.8 yds | 2.6 Y/RR | 60% CTC Rate
Commanders Meetings: East-West Shrine, Combine informal, Team Pro Day, Zoom Meeting
Benson was profiled as a potential late-round sleeper in the BrisVegas Little Board. He was a highly productive receiver for the Ducks, despite splitting targets with TE Kenyon Sadiq and four other receivers with over 500 yards apiece.
Benson is exceptionally tough for a slim speedster, and wins with elite catch phase execution, even in contested situations. The DraftBot’s Personnel Department is very high on Benson, so it didn’t mind doubling up to add another receiving talent with underrated potential this late in the draft. The next players on its board were TE Justin Joly, V.J. Payne (S, Kansas State, rk 73), Keyshaun Elliott (LB, Arizona State, rk 77), and Tyler Onyedim (DT, Texas A&M, rk 78). It considered a slight move down the board to pick the safety, but felt that Benson’s upside potential was greater. The Personnel Department is still not confident that they have adjusted Benson’s rating far enough above consensus.
Fanspeak considered this pick to be a major reach. The DraftBot laughed and said they have to stop being such slaves to consensus. It is supremely confident in its Scouting Department’s board.
Rd 6, Pick 187 – DT Tyler Onyedim, Texas A&M
6-3.5 | 292 lbs | 34” arms | 5.07 sec 40 | RAS 8.31 | Age 22
2025 Stats: 48 comb tkl | 8.5 TFL | 2.5 sacks | 1 FF | 11.7% Run Stop Rate (rk 4) | 5.8% Pressure Rate
Commanders Meetings: None
Onyedim may be unfamiliar to most Hogs Haven readers. He is a smaller, explosive interior gap-shooter, who profiles as a 3-4 defensive end, with ability to play 3-technique in even fronts. Onyedim might seem a little redundant to existing Commander Johnny Newton, but they have nearly opposite strengths and weaknesses.
Onyedim (DraftBot rk 78) is an elite run stopper in the iDL draft class, who wins with an explosive first step and reach to slip past blockers into gaps. He sets a strong edge, and competes at the point of attack. But he lacks the mass to clog running lanes inside. His pass rush is behind his run defense at this stage, but he has the athletic tools and desired length to develop that side of his game.
This was the hardest decision for the DraftBot, so far. The next ranked player on its board was Notre Dame TE Eli Raridon (rk 79). Raridon is a Y tight end with strong blocking skills and upside to develop as a receiver. The Scouting Department is very high on both players, and gave them essentially identical ratings. The DraftBot leaned toward the defense with this pick, simply because it had loaded up on offense with its last three picks. It was that or toss a coin.
The next players on the board were Oregon CB Jadon Canady (rk 85), and another DT (Nick Barrett, South Carolina, rk 88) and TE (Jack Endries, Texas, rk 89).
Fanspeak was not a fan of this pick. They thought Onyedim was rated much later, which is odd considering that he is currently 116th on the consensus board, and we’re into the 6th round here. They also felt that he didn’t address an immediate need, which the DraftBot felt was an odd comment to make about a 6th round pick.
Rd 6 Pick 209 – K Trey Smack, Florida
2025 Stats: 27/28 XP | 18/22 FG (81.8%) | 5/6 (83.3%) 40-49 yds | 5/6 (83.3%) 50+ yds
Commanders Meeting: East-West Shrine, Team Pro Day
The top player on the DraftBot’s board at this pick was Oregon CB Jadon Canady. Canady is a sticky slot CB, who allowed the second lowest rate of yardage in coverage among consensus ranked corner prospects. But instead of picking Canady, it reached 5 players down the board to pick the top-rated kicker, Trey Smack.
Let me explain. The DraftBot has detected Adam Peters’ Achilles heel: kickers. The Commanders are currently on their 8th kicker in two years since Peters took over as GM. Their current kicker was drafted in Peters’ last season with the 49rs, whose hit rate is 64.7% from over 50 yards. In today’s NFL, you really need a kicker who can hit game winners from over 50 yards.
To help Peters out, the DraftBot requested that we burn a new variant of its original core program into its neural net. The new rule set is as follows:
IS THE TEAM SET AT KICKER?
NO => DO YOU HAVE A PICK IN THE 6TH ROUND?
YES => IS THERE A KICKER WITH A DRAFTABLE GRADE?
Smack has a strong leg and reliable, repeatable motion. He connected on 5/6 attempts from over 50 yards in 2026. He will compete with Moody in camp, and hopefully one of the two will show that they can hit from 50+.
Part of that is due to having an outdated consensus rank on Smack. But the DraftBot couldn’t give a flying f___. Kicker is one of two positions where it’s wired to draft for need. And the Commanders needed a kicker.
Rd 7 Pick 223 -RB J’Mari Taylor, Virginia
5-10 | 199 lbs | 4.66 sec 40 | RAS 4.86 | Age 24
2025 Rushing Stats: 222 Att | 1,062 yds | 14 TD | 4.8 Y/A | 3.4 YAC/Att | 55 MTF | 1 Fumble
2025 Receiving Stats: 54 Tgt | 43 Rec (80%) | 253 Yd | 1 TD | 6.7 YAC/Rec | 60% CTC Rate
Commanders Meeting: Senior Bowl, Team Pro Day
When the Commanders’ 7th round pick came around, the DraftBot ripped off its jacket to reveal the #46 Alfred Morris jersey that the Head of Scouting got the EVP of Personnel for Christmas and shouted, “Screw it! I’m getting my guy.”
It has been exhibiting more and more human-like behaviors lately. The truth is, it was only really a five-place reach down the board, which is negligible at this point in the draft. But we were happy to see it get so excited, and took the opportunity to ask security to check how it got into the residential quarters.
Taylor is a highly productive, workhorse back, who led the ACC in TDs and finished 3rd in rushing yards, despite being undersized and having pedestrian testing scores. His play on the field does not look as slow as his 40 time. He is incredibly adept at finding running room and plays with power which belies his 5’10”, 199 lb frame. Other than the weight, you can see what reminded the DraftBot of its favorite Redskins’ late round sleeper pick. Coincidentally, he is also listed in my Little Board.
Taylor is a very good receiver in the slot or out of the backfield, and excels in pass protection, giving him three down value. The DraftBot sees him as a between-the-tackles runner, to complement Bill Crosky-Merritt’s explosiveness on the perimeter.
