Commanders NFL Draft rumors detail trade plan, top Round 1 target

Mansoor Delane is just what the doctor ordered

Delane is widely viewed as a lockdown cornerback and the best in the 2026 NFL Draft class.

The LSU product was nothing short of elite last season after posting the fourth-best Pro Football Focus coverage grade in the nation with a 90.7.

Delane also posted an absurd 31.3 passer rating when targeted.

The Commanders are looking to rebound after a down year and need an immediate impact player in the secondary. Delane is a good bet to be that.

A tall order for Washington

With this being a weak draft class, the expectation is there won’t be many teams looking to trade up.

Adding to that, Washington can’t trade back that far if it wants Delane, as he’s probably a top-10 pick. The cornerback-needy Kansas City Chiefs are a team to watch at No. 9.

Knowing that, the Commanders are almost certainly not going to be able to have their cake and eat it too, meaning they can’t trade back and get both a second-round pick and Delane.

Based on the NFL Draft Trade Value Chart, the best-case scenario is a small trade back that still allows Washington to nab Delane and get a third-round pick.

That might not net the second-round pick Washington wants, but an extra third is better than having just one Day 2 pick, especially if that pick comes with the player the team wants.