The Washington Commanders are reportedly seeking to trade down in the 2026 NFL Draft to acquire more picks, having only six due to a previous trade for Laremy Tunsil. General manager Adam Peters is exploring options despite the team's success with Tunsil, who is now the highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL.
It's no secret that Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters would like more picks in next week's 2026 NFL Draft. Washington has six picks, but is without picks in the second and fourth rounds due to last year's trade for left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
The Commanders would do that trade all over again. Tunsil was phenomenal last season, earning a two-year extension that once again makes him the NFL's highest-paid offensive tackle. But if Peters could have Tunsil and somehow add back picks, it's something that should be on the table.
It is, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, who said that the Commanders are one of five teams in the top 10 wanting to move back.
Count the Cardinals, Titans, Giants, Browns and Commanders among those already looking at trying to drop down in the order to accumulate capital. The problem for those five is finding teams to move up.
Each of those other four teams is ahead of Washington in the draft order. The lack of quarterback depth in this class really makes trading back more difficult. The top talents in this class also play non-premium positions, such as running back Jeremiyah Love, linebacker Sonny Styles and safety Caleb Downs.
The Cowboys are frequently mentioned as a team that wants to trade up. It's hard to imagine Dallas wanting to strike a deal with the Giants or Commanders, division rivals, making Cleveland at No. 6 a prime spot.
Every team puts out feelers long before draft day. However, trades don't often materialize until a prospect they covet begins to fall. NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently mocked the top 10 picks on ESPN, and he had the Commanders moving down to No. 16 in a trade with the New York Jets. In this deal, Washington passed up drafting Love and Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, to move back nine spots and add the No. 44 overall pick and a fourth-round pick.
The Commanders face a dilemma: stick at No. 7 and pick a blue-chip talent, or move back and add more picks? Washington needs a game-changing talent in this draft. Can Peters move down and still find that guy?
The Commanders are one of the biggest wild cards in the top 10, with so much depending on what happens before them.
Why are the Washington Commanders looking to trade down in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Commanders want to accumulate more draft picks, as they currently have only six due to a previous trade for Laremy Tunsil.
Who are the other teams interested in trading down in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Along with the Commanders, the Cardinals, Titans, Giants, and Browns are also looking to move down in the draft order.
What impact did Laremy Tunsil have on the Washington Commanders?
Laremy Tunsil's performance was exceptional, leading to a two-year extension that makes him the highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL, justifying the Commanders' previous trade despite their current lack of draft picks.
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