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Did Commanders move up in post-NFL draft power rankings?
TL;DR
The Washington Commanders moved up two spots to No. 24 in NFL.com’s post-free agency power rankings. However, after the 2026 NFL Draft, they remained at No. 24 despite drafting six players, including linebacker Sonny Styles.
Key points
- Washington Commanders aimed to get younger and faster
- They moved up to No. 24 in post-free agency rankings
- Drafted six players, including No. 7 overall pick Sonny Styles
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders entered the offseason with a simple mission: get younger and faster. The Commanders had the NFL's oldest roster last season, and a lack of speed was prevalent on defense, before and after the team was besieged by injuries.
General manager Adam Peters was aggressive in free agency, often targeting players coming off their first contracts, with an emphasis on speed and explosiveness. Players like edge rushers Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson, linebacker Leo Chenal, safety Nick Cross and tight end Chig Okonkwo will all help the Commanders in their effort to be much faster next season.
Washington's aggressiveness in free agency led NFL.com writer Eric Edholm to move the Commanders up two spots in his post-free agency power rankings, from No. 26 at the end of the season to No. 24.
Now, the 2026 NFL Draft is in the rearview mirror, and all 32 NFL teams believe they got better — again. The Commanders drafted six players, led by No. 7 overall pick, linebacker Sonny Styles. Edholm revealed his post-draft power rankings on Monday, and he kept the Commanders in the same spot.
The Commanders entered the draft with just six picks (two in the top 100) to try to check a lot of boxes. They were looking to butter both sides of the bread -- getting more help for Jayden Daniels while attempting to add more firepower on defense -- and they did fairly well with what they had, I suppose. Hyper-athletic LB Sonny Styles felt like a strong pick and should start immediately. I am not anti-Antonio Williams, but I do wonder whether he's the type of receiver Washington needed most. On the positive side, I felt like both edge Joshua Josephs and RB Kaytron Allen were strong picks where the Commanders got them. On the whole, this class only moved the needle so much, and Daniels' re-emergence holds the key to a bounce-back season.
This wasn't a draft where you can say the Commanders got a lot better on paper — yet. Styles should be a home run, while Williams will immediately become one of Jayden Daniels' top targets. The rest of the class could take some time. There's a chance that five of Washington's six picks can help this season, but much of that will be determined once the season begins, where players like center Matt Gulbin and running back Kaytron Allen look to carve out roles.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Rise or fall in post-draft NFL power rankings?
Q&A
Why did the Washington Commanders move up in power rankings?
The Commanders moved up due to their aggressive free agency strategy, targeting younger and faster players.
Who did the Commanders draft in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Commanders drafted six players, highlighted by linebacker Sonny Styles, who was the No. 7 overall pick.
What are the current power rankings for the Washington Commanders?
As of the latest update, the Washington Commanders are ranked No. 24 in the post-draft power rankings.
