As the NFL draft approaches, speculation around team strategies is rife, with analysts suggesting that much of the reporting may be more about guesswork than informed predictions. The Washington Commanders' draft history highlights both successful and poor picks, raising questions about their future decisions.
Key points
NFL draft speculation is increasing as teams prepare.
Washington Commanders' draft history includes notable successes and failures.
Trent Williams is considered the best draft pick since 2000.
Dwayne Haskins' selection was influenced by team ownership.
The Commanders added new running backs this offseason.
Washington CommandersTrent WilliamsPatrick RamseyDwayne Haskins
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 20, 2026
Washington reported for voluntary offseason workouts today. In around 5:30 am? Jayden Daniels. Also a reminder: Laremy Tunsil spends this period working out elsewhere. Attends mandatory minicamp. Has done this for a while.
As we get closer to this year’s draft, CBS Sports analyst Bryan DeArdo recently looked at every NFL team’s best and worst picks since the 2000 NFL Draft.
**Best pick:**OT Trent Williams (No. 4 overall, 2010)
A surefire Hall of Famer, Williams earned seven consecutive Pro Bowl nods with Washington and has been named to four more Pro Bowls since joining the 49ers. Williams was an easy pick, but it’s worth mentioning some of Washington’s other notable draft picks over the past 25 years that includes the late Sean Taylor, Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins, Alfred Morris and Jayden Daniels.
Q&A
What are the best and worst NFL draft picks for the Washington Commanders since 2000?
The best pick is OT Trent Williams, while the worst is QB Patrick Ramsey, who struggled despite being a first-round selection.
Why did the Washington Commanders draft Dwayne Haskins?
The Commanders drafted Dwayne Haskins due to former owner Daniel Snyder's influence, as his son attended the same high school as Haskins.
What running backs did the Washington Commanders add this offseason?
The Commanders added Rachaad White and Jerome Ford to their roster, alongside returning player Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
What was the Commanders' plan regarding Aaron Jones Sr. last year?
The Commanders planned to pursue Aaron Jones Sr. in free agency last year before he re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
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**Worst pick:** QB Patrick Ramsey (No. 32 overall, 2002)
Washington spent a first-round pick on Ramsey despite some clear red flags that included completing fewer than 60% of his passes in college while throwing an alarming number of interceptions (he threw 24 interceptions during his first season as Tulane’s QB1). Ramsey actually threw more touchdowns (35) than interceptions (30) in the NFL, but that was one of the only positives in an underwhelming pro career.
It’s hard to dispute Williams. It’s unfortunate that his tenure ended with the franchise after the 2019 season. He will be playing in his 17th NFL season in 2026 and is still playing at a high level.
Do we have to?
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 21, 2026
DeArdo named Ramsey as the worst pick over the last 25 years. He’s not even the worst quarterback pick Washington has made since 2000. Sure, Ramsey didn’t pan out, but you could make the case that Robert Griffin III was worse. Yes, Griffin had a longer NFL career than Ramsey and a stellar rookie year, but he also cost Washington two additional first-round picks and a second-round pick to move up only four spots for one good season.
In 2019, the Redskins chose Dwayne Haskins because former owner Daniel Snyder wanted him. Why? Because his son played at the same high school as Haskins. This pick caused a great divide within the building, as then-head coach Jay Gruden has often stated. Gruden had no problem with drafting Haskins, but not in a year when he was on the hot seat. Haskins was not ready to play in the NFL, something Gruden warned. He was right.
Speaking of that regime, led by former coach Ron Rivera, who also served as head of personnel, it had a horrendous four-year run with draft picks.
We aren’t quite sure the author has spent a lot of time watching Washington over the years.
On video with some draft stories. Talking Steve Spurrier tales: explained a lot. The worst pick they made during my tenure. The biggest and best trade. The best picks. More. @espnrichmond
According to the respected reporter, the Commanders were planning to pursue veteran Aaron Jones Sr. in 2025 free agency before he re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Schefter also highlighted the lack of salary-cap investment in the running back position, making Love a tempting proposition if he somehow makes it down to No. 7.
“Last spring, the Commanders planned to pursue Aaron Jones Sr. before he returned to the Vikings. This offseason, Washington added Rachaad White and Jerome Ford to join Jacory Croskey-Merritt, but the team still does not have much money invested in the position.”
Jones was coming off another four-figure campaign in which he accumulated 1,138 rushing yards and five touchdowns in Minnesota. It would have been another aging player for the Commanders, and by running back standards, the former Texas-El Paso standout is ancient.
The proverbial cliff was always going to come at some stage for Jones. He featured just 12 times in 2025, barely crossing the 500 rushing yard mark. Considering seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt went over 800 during his rookie breakout, the Commanders may have had a lucky escape.
Minnesota hasn’t given up on Jones just yet, but the franchise did restructure his contract this offseason after a subpar year, which also slightly reduced its salary-cap burden. As for the Commanders? They currently have Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, Jerome Ford, and Jeremy McNichols in their running back room.
*The opinions expressed in this article are based solely on Logan Paulsen’s opinions and expertise as a draft analyst and do not reflect those of the Commanders’ front office.*
We’re just a few days away from the start of the NFL Draft, and draft boards across the league are getting finalized to rank the best players available in this year’s crop of prospects.
So, in preparation for the three-day event, we asked Command Center analyst Logan Paulsen to give us his top 100 players based on his expertise. Let’s dive into Paulsen’s thoughts on the 2026 class.
One team that has continued to show interest in Clemson RB Adam Randall — the Washington Commanders.
Deep RB room as it stands, but if the board doesn’t fall their way for Love at 7 Randall is a player they are extremely high on to potentially add later in the draft. A player…
Episode 1,307 – Guest: @Benj\_Robinson of @GrindingMocks on Washington & the 2026 NFL Draft. Discusses what his innovative & groundbreaking system says about what the Commanders will do t 7, who will be available at 7, the likelihood of trading down & more.
Sources: There is a new highest-paid kicker in the NFL, as the #Cowboys and All-Pro Brandon Aubrey have a deal.
Aubrey gets a 4-year, $28M, record-setting extension with $20M guaranteed in a deal negotiated by agents Todd France and AJ Stevens of @AthletesFirst. pic.twitter.com/087rtKkDfj
**7. Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina**
Overall: A safety/corner hybrid with outstanding size and athleticism, though his exact positional fit at the next level is genuinely unclear. The tools are impressive; the role is the question.
Eagles Thoughts: I’m not sure I see him as a traditional deep safety, but if the Eagles want another versatile defensive back who can contribute in a few different ways, Kilgore is worth a look in the third. I do worry about these multi-role chess pieces that don’t have a defined position, but if Fangio has a specific plan for him, I’m all in.
**8. Kamari Ramsey, USC**
Overall: A versatile safety whose instincts, tackling, and ability to play in multiple alignments make him an interesting hybrid defender with starting upside.
Eagles Thoughts: Evaluations on Ramsey are all over the place, but I think he has legitimate starting upside despite some film inconsistencies. He feels like good value in the third round, but the concern is he might not last that long.
“You could make the argument that he's the most physically GIFTED of the safety prospects… He’s got no real scheme limitations.”@GregCosell breaks down Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren: pic.twitter.com/r4Nk5j0RAg
*Simpson would need to be selected in the draft’s first 35 selections to make or exceed the Miami offer he passed on*
Simpson, a projected late first- or early second-round pick in this week’s NFL Draft, previously turned down $6.5 million to transfer to Miami.
His fringe draft status means he could take a pay cut in the NFL compared to Miami’s offer, depending on where he ultimately lands. The 6-foot-1 quarterback would have to be selected in the first 35 draft selections for his salary to match or exceed Miami’s offer, according to Spotrac.
Simpson said he took Miami’s offer to former Alabama coach Nick Saban, who originally recruited him to Tuscaloosa for advice. Saban convinced Simpson to declare for the NFL Draft.
“Take the money out of it, take the rounds out of it, what do you want to do next year?” Saban asked Simpson.
“Without a doubt, without hesitation, I said, ‘I want to play professional football.’ And he was like, ‘Well, there’s your answer.’”
This year, the NFL will limit access to prospects’ contact information to one person with each franchise.
Last year, Sanders was not selected in the first round, where many draft prognosticators had forecasted he would go. Instead, the Tennessee Titans selected Cam Ward with the No. 1 pick and the New York Giants took Jaxson Dart at No. 25. Those were the only quarterbacks to go off the board on Day 1. Early on Day 2, Sanders, who was live-streaming his draft party with family and friends, received a phone call from somebody impersonating New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis ahead of the No. 40 overall pick. The Saints did end up drafting a quarterback with that selection, but it was Tyler Shough out of Louisville.
After the draft was over, the Atlanta Falcons released a statement saying that the prank call was made by Jax Ulbrich, the then-21-year-old son of Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.
Sanders downplayed the prank call, saying “it didn’t really have an impact on me” and said that he felt that “it was a childish act, but everybody does childish things here and there.” The NFL fined the Atlanta Falcons $250,000 and Jeff Ulbrich $100,000 over the leak of Shedeur Sanders’ phone number.
Last year, *Last Week Tonight* did a deep dive into sports betting. Last night, *Last Week Tonight* explored prediction markets, the close cousin to sports betting.
The full segment from John Oliver is worth your time.
It feels like a post-apocalyptic approach to world events and wagering, mashing the two of them together in a way that caters to the get-rich-right-now delusions of many. And screwing most of them.
Kalshi and Polymarket, the Coke-and-Pepsi equivalents to DraftKings and FanDuel in the sports betting arena, have made billions of dollars through the facilitation of betting on a wide variety of propositions, from sports to politics to war to the weather to the question of whether President Trump will say “Sleepy Joe” during a speech.
For prediction markets, the best way to win is to have inside information. Prediction markets don’t discourage it; Polymarket seems to welcome it. Because those with it prey upon not the house but on those who are betting without the benefit of knowing what will happen before it does.
The prediction markets have, to date, successfully wedged themselves within the concept of commodities futures. Which has allowed them, to date, to fall under the regulation of a federal government that doesn’t seem to be all that inclined to regulate them.
The whole thing feels wrong. It feels skeevy. It permits corruption. Hell, it invites it.
And it’s now mainstream. The companies have arrangements with news organizations, which provide a patina of legitimacy. Kalshi, for example, has deals with CNN, CNBC, and Fox News. Polymarket has a deal with Dow Jones.
The business model allows those who know how to rig the system in a way that preys on the uninformed. With a small percentage absconding with winnings, most are left to wonder what the hell happened to their money. And Kalshi and Polymarket simply sit back and get a cut of all the action.
Basically, it’s a dating site that matches the smart and the stupid. And the smart aren’t necessarily smart. Many of them simply know what’s going to happen before it does.
As Oliver said, most prediction-market users lose money. On Polymarket, there are more than two million users. More than two thirds of all money won went to 740 accounts.
— Hogfarmers Charitable Foundation (@TheHogfarmers) April 20, 2026
After a long delay, OTC now has details for all 75 of Washington's players & currently estimates $49.5m cap space.
Commanders will need about $5.88m to sign 6 draft picks under the 'Rule of 51', leaving around $43.6m in post-draft cap space.#RaiseHail
— Bill-in-Bangkok (@billhorgan2005) April 21, 2026#49ers GM John Lynch said he’s had trade discussions with teams on WR Brandon Aiyuk but acknowledged it’s not a high probability they find a taker.
“We’ll see it through the draft—if something happens, great; if not, we’ll re-evaluate after.”
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) April 20, 2026
"I would think that Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson will probably be the first two wide receivers drafted..
— George Carmi (@Gcarmi21) April 20, 2026
Logan Paulsen said he guesses Mansoor Delane would be the pick for the Commanders at 7th overall. He could provide more help to Washington's CB room. pic.twitter.com/CUk46KqFjH
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) April 20, 2026
Scott Turner says Caleb Downs would be his can't miss player if he is there for the Commanders at No. 7 in the NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/Z6zsMVoKO9
— The Team 980 (@team980) April 20, 2026
Ben Standig thinks the Commanders taking Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 7 would be a home run pick in the NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/ZyZk9rcBaC
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus\_Mosher) April 20, 2026
We made it to #NFLDraft week and @McShay13 ran down some possible trades we could see during Thursday's first round — let's go
— Real Ice Titan (@ThunderingIce22) April 20, 2026
In talking to teams today, wouldn't surprise to see four OTs go in first 15-17 picks.
Francis Mauigoa, Spencer Fano are consensus. Monroe Freeling, Kadyn Proctor have worked their way into conversation — feet, length, prototype LT and SEC pedigree.
NFC exec: 'Would have said…
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 21, 2026
“Thieneman of Oregon is a FANTASTIC player…”
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) April 21, 2026
From Path to the Draft: Reporting with @TomPelissero on the latest on medical situations surrounding #LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier and #Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy, as McCoy’s knee has garnered scrutiny. pic.twitter.com/hk2QHHBa3k
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 20, 2026#TCU WR Eric McAlister, slated to be a Day 3 selection, suffered a broken foot while doing position drills at his Pro Day, sources say. The Jones fracture may cause him to slip a bit, though he should be ready with plenty of time for the season. pic.twitter.com/fugfZPowB1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 20, 2026
Alec Pierce underwent an ankle procedure that will sideline him for three months..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 20, 2026
WR Alec Pierce was having ankle pain last year and played through it. He played to do so again, but after further consultation a decision was made to have a surgical procedure. He’ll sit out OTAs but should be ready to go for camp.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) April 20, 2026
More about Ravens DT Nnamdi Madubuike undergoing neck surgery last week that left his doctors believing the two-time Pro Bowler will be able to resume playing this season, via @jamisonhensley:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 21, 2026
"Anthony Richardson and Kenny Moore aren't there for the Colts today..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 20, 2026
Former Steelers HC Mike Tomlin is headed to NBC to be a top studio analyst on “Football Night in America," per @AndrewMarchand
Tomlin will join host Maria Taylor, ex-Cowboys coach Jason Garrett and Devin McCourty on set. pic.twitter.com/LZTQuwNHXv
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 21, 2026@TrentW71 and Elite Loyalty Sports make NFL history again, securing a new 2-year, $50M deal with the #49ers.
The contract includes $37M fully guaranteed and a $22M signing bonus, making Trent the first non-QB in NFL history to surpass $400M in contracts & $225M in guarantees. pic.twitter.com/ABjpVvvwEU
— Elite Loyalty Sports (@eliteloyaltysp) April 20, 2026
A couple of updates on the expert consensus board this morning.
