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Washington Commanders GM Adam Peters indicates the team is likely to stay at the No. 7 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. The team is assessing options but is not actively seeking to trade up or down.
right where they belong pic.twitter.com/Vqt2kaPBWj
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 16, 2026
**The Athletic** (paywall)
Two years ago, Adam Peters had a clear vision of the prospect he wanted to select with the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft. Jayden Daniels was the obvious fit, given his skill set and the team’s need for a franchise quarterback. This year, with Washington having a top-10 pick for the second time in three years, the vision is a little hazier. The Commanders have the No. 7 selection in the first round and would be justified in taking virtually any of the top 20 prospects, but deciphering the intentions of the six teams slated to pick before them has been an especially difficult task. What Peters does anticipate, however, is that the Commanders will “more likely than not” select at No. 7 versus moving up or down via trade. Whether they do or not will, of course, depend on which players remain available when they’re on the clock and if another team makes an offer.
Commanders GM Adam Peters will make the best move for the team, even if that means trading a Top 10 pick within the division. pic.twitter.com/cuC4AJvyC1
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) April 17, 2026 “Then we’d have to decide if we want to do that,” Peters said. “But I would say more likely than not we’d stay and pick. I don’t foresee us moving up, but moving back just depends on the circumstances. But … we’re not actively trying to move back. We’re always assessing our options and making sure we’re ready, and then understanding who’s going to be there at certain positions and certain spots toward the middle to the later part of the first round.” From The Insiders on : A look at where the may go at No. 7, with a great spot to pick.
The Commanders plan to likely stay at the No. 7 pick and select a player, depending on who is available.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is anticipated to be the first overall pick, going to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Commanders are struggling to decipher the intentions of the six teams picking before them, making their strategy less clear.
Without a second-round pick, the Commanders must make their first-round selection count, as it is crucial for their future.

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— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 16, 2026 This contradicts other reports that Love is the right fit and that the Commanders are not expected to select Downs. Nobody has the first clue. And as Washington fans know, that’s precisely how Peters likes it. The intrigue is building. Nothing is guaranteed after Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza goes No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders. Peters admitted as much during his pre-draft media availability, and he is experienced enough to trust his board and react to what’s unfolding with minimal fuss. But with no second-round pick, getting this decision right is crucial.
**Commanders.com**
Rich Eisen to Carnell Tate on his #Commanders visit:
“McLaurin’s not going to let you out of the building”
Tate: “… He say [we] welcome you with open arms”
(🎥:@RichEisenShow) pic.twitter.com/nUr7IUKHNj
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) April 16, 2026
**Bullock’s Film Room** (subscription)
**Commanders Roundtable**
**Heavy.com**
The Washington Commanders are keen on selecting Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love if he’s available at No. 7 in the NFL draft, which begins one week from now, and the franchise got good news on that front Thursday via a report involving the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee picks at No. 4 and is one of two teams ahead of Washington in the draft order that might decide to spend a selection on Love, who is head and shoulders above every other RB prospect in the 2026 class. However, Jason LaCanfora of SportsBoom reported April 16 that the Titans are not going to land on Love, even despite considerable speculation to the contrary, and will go with a defensive player instead. “They’re going defense,” LaCanfora quoted a longtime personnel executive. “I love the running back, but [Robert] Saleh isn’t taking a running back there. If you study how this plays out, with a new head coach, that first pick is almost always on his side of the ball. There’s going to be a run on defensive players after (presumptive first-overall pick, quarterback Fernando) Mendoza, and he’s going to be in it.” “I’d be really surprised if they went running back,” the GM said, per LaCanfora. “Several people tell me the [Commanders] will jump all over Jeremiyah Love if he falls into their laps, with the direct quote being, ‘The team loves Love,’” Pauline wrote Wednesday. “He’d be an additional weapon for Jayden Daniels, who’s coming off an injury-plagued season, and would end Washington’s running-back-by-committee approach.”
Don't be surprised if Jeremiyah Love goes No. 3 to the Cardinals.
People will be surprised if they go that route after retaining James Conner and Trey Benson while signing Tyler Allgeier.
But that's my sneaky mock draft prediction.
— Grant Paulsen (@GrantPaulsen) April 16, 2026
**The Athletic** (paywall)
The Commanders certainly inched as close as they could to their old name and logo with their unveiling Wednesday of the team’s 2026 regular and alternate jerseys and new helmets. It was little surprise that the team officially will be going back to its white, former “throwback” jerseys, the ones it wore while winning three Super Bowl titles in the 1980s and ’90s, and wore multiple times last season — as one of its primary uniforms next season. A burgundy jersey will be the other primary set. [T]he team’s intention is obvious: wring as much nostalgia — and dollars — out of its fan base as possible, while trying to limit further alienating the still-vocal swaths who desperately, angrily in many cases, all but demand the Commanders go back to the franchise’s former name. No matter how many times Josh Harris says it — and he’s done so multiple times publicly since buying the team from Daniel Snyder for $6.05 billion in 2023 — the team isn’t changing the name back. That means there will be no pleasing those who, congenitally, have to call the team “Redskins” for their own reasons. But by trying to make everything old new again, the team moves closer to the flame — a difficult needle to thread, especially for a team coming off of a 5-12 season. It will be a lot, lot easier for the Commanders if they can right the ship on the field next year. Next Thursday’s draft, with Washington currently sitting with the seventh pick in the first round, must be as solid as the team’s foray into the first round of free agency last month. Ideally, Daniels and Bill and Laremy Tunsil and Odafe Oweh and Josh Conerly and Trey Amos and Leo Chenal and Jaylin Lane — and whoever Washington takes with its high first-rounder early next Thursday evening — can get everyone’s attention back on the field, where it was not all that long ago when this team went on a wild run to the NFC title game. Not all that long ago, it was all about the people inside the uniforms and helmets, not the gear or anything else.
our color palette 🎨 pic.twitter.com/LfuccWxOAs
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 17, 2026
On video with @nfldraftscout on the Commanders and the 7th pick; value in days 2 and 3 for Washington at edge, WR, C. Excellent insight. More. @espnrichmond
— John Keim (@john\_keim) April 16, 2026
Episode 1,305 – Discussion and analysis of Adam Peters' pre-draft presser: – predictability of picks 1-6? – issue of positional value – likelihood of Washington trading down? – praise for Commanders' Football Solutions dept – AP likes the new alt helmet!
— Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) April 17, 2026
🎙️Thoughts on what Adam Peters did and did not say on Thursday about the Commanders' draft plans. I also lay out the potential twists and turns in the top 10, where the talent drops off should Washington seek a trade down, and the new helmets.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 17, 2026
**Blogging the Boys**
While 75% of tagged players eventually reach a deal by the July 15 deadline, the Cowboys-Pickens situation is uniquely volatile for three reasons: **1. The “Jerry Bargain” Factor** Jerry Jones has used the franchise tag more than any owner in the NFL (12 times to KC’s 7). More importantly, he actually forces players to play under it. He’s done so seven times, viewing the tag as the ultimate bargain: elite production with zero long-term risk and no massive upfront signing bonus. **2. The Mulugheta Dilemma** For David Mulugheta, playing under the tag is a failure. It leaves his client underpaid, without security, and stuck with a team that hasn’t reached a conference championship in 30 years. If the Cowboys “tag and repeat” next year at an estimated $33M, Pickens effectively becomes a year-to-year bargain mercenary. **3. The Strategy: “Ball Out” vs. “Protect the Asset”** Conventional wisdom suggests Pickens should “prove it” in 2026 to secure a massive 2027 contract. However, that plays right into Jerry’s hands. If Pickens plays at an All-Pro level, Jerry will simply tag him again—at $33M, he is still a bargain. The smarter play for the Pickens camp is to make the relationship untenable:
**Big Blue View**
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence “does indeed want out of New York,” **according to reporting from CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones**. Lawrence, who has requested a trade and is not attending voluntary offseason workouts, has been said to want an contract extension and a raise from his current four-year, $90 million deal, which carries an average annual value of $22.5 million. Here is what Jones wrote about the Lawrence situation:
Dexter Lawrence’s trade request was not just an attempt for more money from the team. Two sources tell me he does indeed want out of New York. But the Giants do not necessarily agree, and they don’t have to make a deal by next week.
Here’s what I’ve gathered: The Giants do not seem too keen on paying Lawrence high-market price coming off his worst statistical season of his career, but they aren’t going to give him away. If they can get a great offer for him — something that includes at least a first-round pick — I think they will deal him.
The acquiring team will likely have to pay Lawrence a salary in the high-20s upon trading for him. That would be OK for a contending team needing an interior defensive lineman and realizing this is not the year to hope you’ll get one in the draft.
Quinnen Williams went for a first and second back at the trade deadline, and that generally seems like a fair price for Lawrence. What will be interesting is if the Giants take a 2026 second rounder and demand a 2027 first. If that’s the case, and if the Giants do deal Lawrence, they wouldn’t have to do the transaction until Friday.
If we get through Friday night with no deal, I would not expect one any time soon. Both sides can pick up where they left off on talks and try to find a middle ground as the spring continues. By Friday, Jones was referring to the second night of the 2026 NFL Draft. Thursday afternoon, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post seconded Jones’ reporting: If Dexter Lawrence has his wish, he will not suit up for the Giants again.
He wants out.
His desire for a new contract from the only NFL team he has ever played for resulted in talks but nothing substantial from a financial standpoint. And now, he wants to turn the page and move on.
It is past the point of any further negotiations with the Giants, a source told the Post on Thursday, stressing “Dexter wants to be traded.” Why would the Giants, or any team, want to delay getting a first-round pick? Because the 2027 Draft is expected to be quarterback rich at the top and perhaps deeper overall than this year’s draft. So, the chance of adding impact talent might be greater a year from now.
**Bleeding Green Nation**
**Front Office Sports**
**Steelers:** They are still in a wait-and-see mode at quarterback as veteran Aaron Rodgers is due to give the team an answer on his 2026 plans by next week. In the meantime, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar has made a pre-draft visit with the team. The Steelers also have quarterbacks Will Howard, selected in last year’s draft, and Mason Rudolph on the roster. Pittsburgh picks at No. 21 in the first round and has a league-leading 12 selections overall. The Pittsburgh area, meanwhile, continues to prepare for what will be one of the largest visitor events in its history. Crowd estimates are still hovering between 500,000 and 700,000 people for the entire weekend. Like at prior NFL Drafts, that estimate is a cumulative figure that counts fans entering the official draft area each day. As a result, any individual fan who attends more than one day of the three-day event will be counted multiple times. Unique to Pittsburgh, however, is a two-site event plan that will use both the area outside of Acrisure Stadium, the Steelers’ home facility, and Point State Park at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers. The Roberto Clemente Bridge, which helps connect the two, will be closed to vehicular traffic to create a pedestrian fan corridor.
The NFL players who will announce the selections at the 2026 NFL Draft: pic.twitter.com/ETxHro3RNy
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 16, 2026
**The Athletic** (paywall)
It feels like the replacement refs are probably gonna happen in the NFL..
THIS IS NOT GOOD NEWS #PMSLivepic.twitter.com/HaWPZ0zI08
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 16, 2026
Just how good this year's wide receiver class and how many could go in the 1st Round next week?#NFL#NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/Exe4SNwsza
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) April 16, 2026 "The positions getting heat are the tackle position and the receiver position..
Talking to GMs and agents it's all over the map right now" ~ @MoveTheSticks#PMSLivepic.twitter.com/VQaiVXQzTN
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 16, 2026
Mark Rypien will be in Pittsburgh to announce our Day 2 pick 🙌
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 16, 2026 #Commanders WR Terry McLaurin doing offseason training 🔥
(🎥:@GoldFeetGlobal) pic.twitter.com/kY5B9UbhP6
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) April 16, 2026 Updated Week 4 Injury Report for @BattlehawksUFL vs. @UFLDefenders:
• Reigning DPOTW Roberson pops with a dental DNP, assuming he’s safe for this weekend.
• #Defenders LB Brandon Smith and RB Xazavian Valladay remain DNP, not a strong sign for their availability.
— Christian Paolantonio (@CPaolantonio\_) April 16, 2026 🚨RULE UPDATE 🚨
The United Football League is updating OT rules so players decide the game, not penalties. pic.twitter.com/rIwwnZ493K
— United Football League (@TheUFL) April 16, 2026 "You have to find a way to get the offense off balance"@calebdowns explains the impact he creates with his versatility♟️@RhettNFL | @BuckyBrooks | @OhioStateFBpic.twitter.com/go2anJouie
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 16, 2026 Erik Kennedy (#Seahawks director of equipment) said on @SeattleSports that JSN was wearing a 12 shoe at Ohio State. Hamstring injuries ensued. Hawks put him in a 10 1/2. No more hammy issues.
Hawks were one of the first teams to do body scans and customize gear for each player.
— Chris Cluff (@CHawk\_Talk) April 17, 2026 From 2010 through 2025, the two most run-heavy seasons in the NFL have been 2024 (56.6% passing) and 2025 (56.2%). In 1995, teams passed more frequently than they did in 2025. pic.twitter.com/z4H5Zu6k3V
— Football Perspective (@fbgchase) April 16, 2026 our winners 🙌 pic.twitter.com/vhrGOfJ6Qx
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 16, 2026 a little surprise for @darrellgreen28 🤭 pic.twitter.com/8B5dNkyf3D
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 16, 2026 the process 🤌 pic.twitter.com/FmbNSIaOfH
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 16, 2026 a little 360 view 🔄 pic.twitter.com/WbhZ0zFAfa
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 17, 2026