
The 2026 NFL mock draft predicts the Commanders will trade down after Jeremiyah Love is selected in the top five. The draft is expected to feature surprising trades and a lack of elite quarterback talent.

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The beauty of mock draft season is that anything is possible with the right combination of imagination and logic. Intra-division trades. Calling the names of running backs and linebackers within the first five picks. Four players from the same college become top-10 picks. Those are the first three-round quirks I'm projecting in my first and only mock draft for 2026.
Some ideas are more far-fetched than others. For instance, would anyone really be surprised if Jeremyiah Love is already accounted for an hour into the draft? Those who watched him hurdle defenders and break loose for 90+ yard runs at Notre Dame understand why teams at the front of the line are so high on him.
Even when we try to account for the uncertain, though, it seems like there is a move that catches us off guard. And in a year where the lack of elite quarterback talent makes teams potentially more willing to trade down, perhaps next week's first round will give us some fireworks in the form of draft day transactions.
With that, let's dive into the mock draft.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
| Round 1 - Pick 1 team logo team logo player headshot Fernando Mendoza QB Indiana • Jr • 6'5" / 236 lbs |
The Commanders are likely to trade down due to the lack of elite quarterback talent, making teams more willing to move around in the draft.
Jeremiyah Love is a running back from Notre Dame known for his explosive plays, including 90+ yard runs, which has made him highly sought after by teams.
Predictions include intra-division trades, multiple players from the same college being selected in the top 10, and unexpected draft day transactions.
The 2026 NFL draft class is noted for having a lack of elite quarterback talent, which may influence teams' strategies during the draft.


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| Round 1 - Pick 2 team logo team logo player headshot Arvell Reese EDGE Ohio State • Jr • 6'4" / 243 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 3 team logo team logo player headshot Francis Mauigoa OT Miami (Fla.) • Jr • 6'6" / 329 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 4 team logo team logo player headshot Jeremiyah Love RB Notre Dame • Jr • 6'0" / 214 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 5 team logo team logo player headshot Sonny Styles LB Ohio State • Sr • 6'5" / 243 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 6 team logo team logo player headshot Carnell Tate WR Ohio State • Jr • 6'2" / 192 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Mock Trade from Washington Commanders Round 1 - Pick 7 team logo team logo player headshot David Bailey EDGE Texas Tech • Sr • 6'4" / 250 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 8 team logo team logo player headshot Rueben Bain Jr. EDGE Miami (Fla.) • Jr • 6'2" / 263 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 9 team logo team logo player headshot Mansoor Delane CB LSU • Sr • 6'0" / 187 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 10 team logo team logo player headshot Caleb Downs S Ohio State • Jr • 6'0" / 205 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 11 team logo team logo player headshot Spencer Fano OT Utah • Jr • 6'6" / 311 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Mock Trade from Dallas Cowboys Round 1 - Pick 12 team logo team logo player headshot Makai Lemon WR USC • Jr • 5'11" / 192 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| From Atlanta Falcons Round 1 - Pick 13 team logo team logo player headshot Omar Cooper Jr. WR Indiana • Jr • 6'0" / 199 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 14 team logo team logo player headshot Olaivavega Ioane IOL Penn State • Jr • 6'4" / 323 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 15 team logo team logo player headshot Akheem Mesidor EDGE Miami (Fla.) • Sr • 6'3" / 259 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| From Indianapolis Colts Round 1 - Pick 16 team logo team logo player headshot Jordyn Tyson WR Arizona State • Jr • 6'2" / 203 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 17 team logo team logo player headshot Monroe Freeling OT Georgia • Jr • 6'7" / 315 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 18 team logo team logo player headshot Dillon Thieneman S Oregon • Soph • 6'0" / 201 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 19 team logo team logo player headshot Kenyon Sadiq TE Oregon • Jr • 6'3" / 241 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Mock Trade from Dallas Cowboys Round 1 - Pick 20 team logo team logo player headshot Jermod McCoy CB Tennessee • Jr • 6'1" / 188 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 21 team logo team logo player headshot Denzel Boston WR Washington • Jr • 6'4" / 210 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 22 team logo team logo player headshot Emmanuel Pregnon IOL Oregon • Sr • 6'4" / 314 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 23 team logo team logo player headshot Kadyn Proctor OT Alabama • Jr • 6'7" / 352 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| From Jacksonville Jaguars Round 1 - Pick 24 team logo team logo player headshot Caleb Lomu OT Utah • Soph • 6'6" / 308 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 25 team logo team logo player headshot Kayden McDonald DL Ohio State • Jr • 6'2" / 326 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 26 team logo team logo player headshot CJ Allen LB Georgia • Jr • 6'1" / 230 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 27 team logo team logo player headshot Keldric Faulk EDGE Auburn • Jr • 6'6" / 276 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 28 team logo team logo player headshot Peter Woods DL Clemson • Jr • 6'3" / 298 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| From Los Angeles Rams Round 1 - Pick 29 team logo team logo player headshot Cashius Howell EDGE Texas A&M • Sr • 6'3" / 253 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| From Denver Broncos Round 1 - Pick 30 team logo team logo player headshot KC Concepcion WR Texas A&M • Jr • 6'0" / 196 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 31 team logo team logo player headshot Max Iheanachor OT Arizona State • Sr • 6'6" / 321 lbs | --- | --- | --- |
| Round 1 - Pick 32 team logo team logo player headshot Avieon Terrell CB Clemson • Jr • 5'11" / 180 lbs | --- | --- | --- |