Stay put or trade down: What should Commanders do in 2026 NFL Draft?

The Washington Commanders have only six picks in next week's 2026 NFL Draft. The lack of picks, specifically in the second and fourth rounds, led Washington to be aggressive in free agency to fill several needs, allowing GM Adam Peters to focus on the best available player.

The Commanders have let other teams know they're open for business at No. 7 overall. However, Washington understands the need to come away from this draft with a blue-chip player. If the Commanders stay at No. 7, one of the draft's top players, such as Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, or Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, could be there for the taking.

But Washington has been busy over the past few months, meeting with players at positions of need, most notably, wide receiver. The Commanders hosted all the top receiver prospects and others, too. Players such as Omar Cooper Jr., who is expected to be picked in the first round, but lower than No. 7, was one of those visits. Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson, and USC's Makai Lemon also visited Ashburn.

So was Peters bringing in players he expected to be available at No. 7 and other players expected to be available a little bit later, in case of a trade down?

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently produced a top-10 mock draft, in which he had the Commanders trading down to No. 16 with the New York Jets, landing a second- and fourth-round pick in return. That would be ideal, considering what Washington lacks due to last year's Laremy Tunsil trade.

What should the Commanders do? Well, much of it depends on what happens in front of them. If Styles, Love, and Tate are all gone, trading back does make sense. How far, though? Peters would love the extra draft picks, but he also wants to land an impact player.

CBS Sports recently debated this topic: trade or stay put, for all 32 NFL teams. For Washington, CBS said "stay put."

This was a close call between staying put and moving down given the Commanders' shortage of picks, but ultimately, Washington should make its pick here. Adam Peters said at league meetings that there might not be many trade-down opportunities this year, and he added the team doesn't have to pick a certain position here. Love, Styles and Tate are among the non-pass rusher options.

One week away, it's extremely difficult to say one way or the other. If we have a surprise among the first six picks, which often happens, the Commanders might be wise to stay put and wait on their guy. However, if Peters sees some of his top prospects come off the board, and he's comfortable enough with the other prospects, shopping the pick would be wise.

Remember, trading is fun to discuss, but you also have to find a trade partner. That may not be easy in this draft.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Stay put or trade down in 2026 NFL Draft?