The Commanders got here into the 2026 NFL Draft lacking two rounds value of helpful picks after buying and selling away the second- and fourth-rounder final yr for Laremy Tunsil. Adam Peters tried to do his greatest with what he had, however loads of questions nonetheless stay.
There’s little doubt Sonny Kinds’ profession will in the end outline the Washington Commanders’ 2026 draft class.
The excellent news is he’s thought-about one of many most secure bets within the draft and will flip into one of many higher linebackers within the league. The remainder of the Commanders draft picks are a unique story, nevertheless.
The Commanders didn’t have a ton to work with and whereas they did nab Kinds and a doubtlessly good participant in Antonio Williams, there are loads of questions that stay heading into the summer season.
So, with that being mentioned, let’s dive in and speak in regards to the Commanders closing draft grades for the 2026 class.
Commanders’ closing draft grades for the 2026 class
Spherical 1, No. 7: Sonny Kinds, LB, Ohio State
Kinds landed in the Commanders’ laps at No. 7 overall and he may simply develop into one of many draft’s greatest picks when it’s all mentioned and completed.
What’s there to dislike about this child? He’s a former safety-turned linebacker, which keys his insane athletic profile and skillset. Kinds has elite measurement, pace, motion capability, instincts, athleticism, and intelligence. You too can inform he’s a born chief that can additional strengthen the tradition Dan Quinn has constructed within the locker room.
Kinds is the sort of prospect that may be a perennial Professional Bowler and he’s the last word chess piece that can enhance the second stage of Daronte Jones’ protection. You don’t wish to put too many expectations on this child, however there’s little cause he shouldn’t be in Defensive Rookie of the 12 months conversations towards the tip of the 2026 season.
Grade: A+
Spherical 3, No. 71: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
Personally, I’m not a fan of this pick. The largest optimistic is the worth of taking Williams at 71, as most pundits had a second to early-third-round grade on the child. On the similar time nevertheless, mentioned pundits may’ve been overvaluing simply what Williams brings to the desk.
Regardless, he’s an excellent route-runner who is aware of easy methods to get open from the slot place. He’s a really dependable goal and dramatically improved his drop points over the course of his profession. Williams is shifty and elusive within the open area, which enhances Terry McLaurin properly.
Nonetheless, Williams doesn’t have loads of burst to his recreation (simply 5.8 yards after the catch in 2025) and his play power will likely be examined on the NFL stage. There’s additionally the very fact the Commanders want a big-bodied wideout within the locker room and that’s actually not Williams, who’s round 5-foot-11, 189 kilos. In addition they have slot choices in Luke McCaffrey and Dyami Brown, which muddies the state of affairs.
There’s potential right here, however Williams doesn’t provide a lot “zing” proper off the bat and that actually hurts the general grade.
Grade: C
Spherical 5, No. 147: Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee
Josephs is a protracted, explosive go rusher that has loads of potential to turn into a stable, designated go rusher. He has no disgrace in sticking his nostril within the run recreation and setting the sting, both.
He’s extra prone to work out of a two-point stance in Daronte Jones’ protection, however he can put his hand within the grime when it is smart. He confirmed as a lot enjoying the LEO place at Tennessee.
Josephs’ largest points are he performs uncontrolled and he’s extra of a “tweener”, which may make it onerous for him to carve out a constant position. He additionally didn’t earn a much bigger position in 2025 after teammate James Pearce left for the NFL.
It received’t be simple to crack the rotation, however the Commanders’ go rush will likely be in very, superb form if he does. Nonetheless, there’s so much to enhance, as nicely, and that holds the grade again only a bit.
Grade: B
Spherical 6, No. 187: Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
Like Williams, it’s extra of the identical in relation to what Allen brings to the operating again room.
He’s a well-built, highly effective runner that was very productive in school. He ran for over 4,000 yards and recorded 43 complete touchdowns in 4 seasons at Penn State. Most of that manufacturing got here in a timeshare, too, which is fairly spectacular.
Allen is greatest operating inside in an influence scheme. He’s a one-cut, downhill runner that’s additionally good in go safety.
He’s not a house run risk, although, which is one thing the Commanders want. He additionally doesn’t have a lot to indicate within the receiving recreation, both. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see how Allen separates himself with the intention to make the roster.
Grade: C+
Spherical 6, No. 209: Matt Gulbin, C, Michigan State
The Commanders want somebody to return in and problem Nick Allegretti for the middle job and Gulbin seems to be that man after getting taken at No. 209.
However can a sixth-round rookie heart actually are available and make a case for a beginning job throughout his first coaching camp? Particularly one which’s as restricted as Gulbin?
The important thing with Gulbin is he has loads of beginning expertise at each guard positions and at heart. Nonetheless, the Commanders are fairly set at guard with Sam Cosmi and Chris Paul.
Both method, Gulbin is a great participant, however that solely takes you thus far within the NFL. He’ll actually need to enhance his approach if he needs to make an early impression. The excellent news is he’s coming off the most effective yr of his profession, so the arrow is pointing up.
Grade: C
Spherical 7, No. 223: Athan Kaliakmanis, QB Rutgers
Sure, it’s the ultimate choose within the seventh spherical of a less-than-stellar draft. Nonetheless, when contemplating the Commanders wanted a cornerback or security greater than they did an EDGE, RB, or QB, it renders this choose as a complete waste.
The Commanders can be method higher off rolling the cube on a seventh-round nook or security that truly has an opportunity to see the sphere within the subsequent 3-4 years. So long as Jayden Daniels is wholesome and productive, there’s zero likelihood Kaliakmanis ever performs significant snaps in Washington.
The excellent news is Kaliakmanis is coming off the most effective yr of his profession and the arrow is pointing up. Nonetheless we received’t know if his accuracy and decision-making points are formally resolved till he truly performs and clearly there shouldn’t be any time for that to return to fruition. A minimum of, the Commanders are hoping so.
Grade: D
Closing phrase
I gotta be frank: It will be inconceivable to love this draft class with out Sonny Kinds. And even then, he fell to the Commanders. They have been extra beneficiaries as a substitute of creating a calculated transfer, or something like that. It’s not a complete knock, in any respect, nevertheless it’s context value contemplating.
And sure, the Commanders had one hand tied behind their again getting into the draft. On the similar time, nevertheless, taking gamers at already-filled positions after they nonetheless had obvious wants is one thing I’m having loads of hassle wrapping my head round.
The Commanders wanted a big-bodied wideout, however as a substitute drafted a slot receiver after they already had two first rate choices within the slot. They then took a developmental EDGE after they have already got a robust, three-man rotation. Subsequent up was a bodily operating again after they wanted a house risk. Lastly, it was a quarterback that merely has no enterprise being on the roster, proper now.
It actually looks like the Commanders are simply stockpiling guys with related traits at their respective positions as a substitute of discovering gamers that complement one another. As we noticed with the Seahawks, guys who create particular person mismatches as a result of distinctive skillsets are one of the best ways to fight the trendy NFL offense and the Commanders aren’t following that path.
If Kinds falls flat for no matter cause, this might simply go down because the worst draft class of 2026 and it’ll actually price jobs sooner or later.
Closing Grade: C
