2026 NFL Draft: Experts grade Commanders' class

CBS Sports: A-

The Commanders have their Von Miller replacement. The veteran linebacker remains a free agent, and selecting the best player at his position in the draft suggests Washington is content to let him walk. There is always a positional value discussion when it comes to taking inside linebackers in the first round, but Styles has been widely considered a top-10 talent since his remarkable showing at the combine.

Washington also identified a couple new weapons for Jayden Daniels. With Terry McLaurin returning as the only sure thing in the receiving corps, the Commanders needed to come out of this draft with a plus receiver to inject some young excitement into the group. They got that in Antonio Williams, who played in the slot at Clemson and will get open at a high rate in this offense. And at running back, Kaytron Allen was one half of a dynamic Penn State duo for four years and now brings some bully-ball tendencies to Washington.

There was some thought the Commanders would be in play for Jeremiyah Love in the early first round, but instead they waited until Saturday to take Allen.

They also took a quarterback on Saturday -- one in Athan Kaliakmanis, who brings some mobility as a backup but, according to Edwards, is a low-ceiling prospect.

NFL.com: B

With the Chiefs trading up to take cornerback Mansoor Delane off the board at No. 6, Washington selected Styles over his former Ohio State teammate, safety Caleb Downs. Styles should step into the middle of Dan Quinn's defense without an issue, but only time will tell if he was the best prospect available at No. 7. The Commanders' original second-round pick was part of last year's trade for Laremy Tunsil, who needs to stay healthy and help fuel a Commanders playoff run this year to pay off that deal. Williams was a very good value in the third round at a position of need, because he's quick and stronger than you'd think at his size.

Washington's original fourth-round pick was the last one dealt for Tunsil. Josephs' length should make him an effective back-up edge rusher as a rookie, with the possibility that he could be more in the future. Allen was a very good value in the sixth round as a north-south runner who can take over for Austin Ekeler and Chris Rodriguez. Don't be surprised if the steady Gulbin is the team's starting center by the end of his rookie season. The Commanders failed to add a cornerback in the draft despite losing multiple veterans in the spring and Trey Amos coming off injury.

PFF: A

Styles: Styles had an excellent season at Ohio State, earning 85.0-plus grades as both a run defender and coverage defender, and then he tested the way he did at the combine. The positional value argument will come up with Styles, but he has the potential to quickly become one of the better players at the position in the NFL. It’s a much-needed infusion of talent for a Commanders defense that ranked 31st in EPA allowed per play last season.

Williams: Williams is a quick, precise slot-only receiver with strong separation metrics but a low average depth of target. His special teams experience helps support his projection as a depth receiver.

Sports Illustrated: B+

The Commanders had a well-rounded draft, filling critical needs on both sides of the ball. Styles landed in an ideal spot, getting to work with coach Dan Quinn, who has a reputation for unlocking vast skill sets of hybrid players. The Ohio State product can patrol the middle of Quinn’s defense before finding his footing as a chess piece. Entering the draft, Washington lacked depth at the skill positions. Now, it has two new weapons for Jayden Daniels: Williams, who can contribute from the slot, and Allen, who can block and make plays with his excellent vision.

Draft Wire: A

The Commanders earn an A from Draft Wire.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Experts grade 2026 NFL Draft class