Washington Commanders 2026 NFL draft review - Tyler’s Take (by @Tiller56)

Splits projected, all times unofficial, agilities left, bench tmrw, but 10.00 RAS watch is officially on!… pic.twitter.com/f2JFhymsXH

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) February 27, 2026 **Analysis:** With Styles, Washington is getting an immediate contributor in the front seven who can impact every level of the field and wear the green dot. With his rare blend of size, speed and instincts, he may be the best overall off-the-ball linebacker prospect the NFL has seen in over a decade! What could the Commanders do with Sonny Styles? -Green Dot MIKE -Situational SAM in an under front -Run-and-hit WILL -TE eraser -QB Spy -High-Hole trigger man -Green-Dog blitzer -Cover RBs out of backfield -Crosser equalizer -Outside run neutralizer -Screen game disruptor pic.twitter.com/O3XdYxyzJE

— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) April 10, 2026 Imagine playing “Positionless” situational football with Sonny Styles? -1st down: Styles and Magee as ILBs, Chenal walked down to the LOS as a SAM (the under front) -2nd and 7-8: Chenal and Magee as ILBs, Styles over TE as a off-ball SAM -3rd and long: Magee and Chenal as ILBs… pic.twitter.com/WYmEvCH50N

— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) March 29, 2026 Went back to watch more film on Sonny Styles. Two things that keep standing out to me for a man who is 6’5” 245 – Has very good hips and change-of-direction skills – no issues in coverage – Does a really nice job lowering his pad level when taking on blocks at point of attack

— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) February 27, 2026 **Grade: A+**

RD3 (pick 71) – Antonio Williams

Antonio Williams was a fourth-round prospect on my big board and his rating was a bit low on my end because I valued bigger outside receivers versus guys who could operate out of the slot. This is what I had to say when he was picked.

Antonio Williams WR Clemson

I’m a bit confused with this pick given who was on the board…

— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) April 25, 2026 The comments I made above were not directed at Williams’ talent, but more who was available at the time of the pick who I felt would fit well in this offense.

• Chris Brazzell
• Chris Bell
• Ted Hurst
• Malachi Fields
• Ja’Kobi Lane **Analysis:** Williams is a route technician who creates separation with ease and can make things happen in the open field after the catch. He ran a 4.41 40 and jumped 39.5” at the NFL combine. He had an outstanding 2024 season at Clemson leading the team with 75 receptions, 904 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also added 101 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. His production in 2025 wasn’t as prolific, as he finished the season with 55 receptions for 604 yards and four touchdowns over 10 games. Although Peters has commented on his inside/outside versatility, I see him as a true slot receiver who will provide Daniels with a steady target in the intermediate areas of the field. Although he may be motioned out wide and provide some field-stretching ability, he hasn’t shown consistency on film to beat press coverage and stack defensive backs with regularity. According to many of the draft boards, he was viewed as a second-round talent that Adam got at pick 71, so the value is certainly there.

Let’s just all agree to call Antonio Williams 6’0” 190

Then we can all be friends again

— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) April 25, 2026 **Grade: B**

RD5 (pick 147) – Joshua Josephs

I had Josephs as a fringe-third/fourth round prospect on my big board, so I saw incredible value to get him at pick 147.

Joshua Josephs Cut Ups pic.twitter.com/zor14zdJj8

— jeremiah🐦‍⬛ (@NewEraMiah) February 23, 2026 **Analysis:** I love Josephs first step and length. It’s right up there with the best prospects in this EDGE class. He may not have stuffed the stat sheet in his four years at Tennessee, but much of that was how he was asked to play in their scheme versus his talent alone. He also is a turnover machine forcing six fumbles and recovering four over the past two seasons. He’s the type of guy I expect to be a much better professional than he was as a collegiate player once he gets the coaching he’s been lacking these last few seasons. He’s a tremendous upside prospect who should be a nice rotational piece as a rookie, with future starting ability. Some talk about EDGE not being a top need, but Armstrong is entering the last year of his deal and Chaisson is playing on a one-year deal. Oweh is the only EDGE with proven production who is signed for multiple years. **Grade: A**

RD6 (pick 187) – Kaytron Allen

Allen is a prospect I am intimately familiar with as I had the pleasure of watching him play for the past four years at Penn State.

Washington selects Kaytron Allen, who was actually the BETTER pure running back of the two-headed monster at PSU.

Not a blazer, but excellent vision, contact-balance and toughness.

Really nice pick!

Welcome Fat Man!

— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) April 25, 2026 **Analysis:** Fatman left Penn State as the school’s all-time leading rusher and despite teammate Nick Singleton garnering most of the headlines during their first three years, it was Allen who was always the better overall player. He’s an absolute bowling ball with exceptional vision and contact balance between the tackles and he has enough speed to turn the corner and explode into the secondary – where he’s constantly looking to punish anyone coming up to tackle him. He’s not going to be a big receiving threat out of the backfield, but he does do well on screens where his vision and power make him tough to bring down. He should have an immediate effect in short-yardage and goal line situations. **Grade: B+**

RD6 (pick 209) – Matt Gulbin

Center was a big need for Washington, and I thought the mid-to-later rounds of the draft had some really good prospects who could fit this new offense. I was very pleased to see Peters use one of our picks on the position.

New Commanders Center Matt Gulbin was PFF #2 overall graded Center… 2nd in run block & 5th in pass block. What a nice get for Adam Peters in the 6th round. pic.twitter.com/PWHZSloTga

— Zac (@DCzWall) April 25, 2026 **Analysis:** Gulbin played in over 40 games at Wake Forest, seeing time at both guard and center. He transferred to Michigan State in 2025 and started 11 games at center while serving as a team captain. He does a nice job anchoring in pass protection and climbing to the second level and sealing off defenders in the run game. He’ll need to work on hand-placement in the NFL. He offers interior versatility and could push veteran Nick Allegretti during camp for the starting center role. **Grade: B**

Round 7 (pick 223) – Athan Kaliakmanis

In many of my mock leading up to the draft, I had Washington selecting a quarterback with a later pick. Although I didn’t have Kaliakmanis on my radar, the need was there.

Athan Kaliakmanis is the Greek Freak of College Football 👀

His rhythm, accuracy, and fairly quick release have impressed me tonight: pic.twitter.com/FWnkmsnpAR

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL\_DF) September 20, 2025 **Analysis:** I didn’t spend a lot of time scouting Kaliakmanis, so I had to go back and watch some games over the weekend. What stood out to me is his arm strength and accuracy improvement in 2025. He seemed to go through his progressions well and delivered the ball on time. What I didn’t see is a ton of was off-platform ability – which I believe is very important in the NFL. He has a chance to make the roster if Washington keep three quarterbacks, but the practice squad as a developmental prospect is the most likely scenario. **Grade: C-**

Overall, despite only having two top 100 picks, I feel Adam Peters did real nice job getting a blue-chip prospect in Sonny Styles and getting great value with some picks in the mid-to-later rounds. This was a very unique draft in that it lacked blue-chip talent at premium positions, but for us to have a top player fall to us at pick 7 (one I doubted would be there) was a true blessing. There was a lot of attention put on defense this offseason, so I was not surprised to see four of our six picks go towards the offense – including wide receiver, which was one of the top needs on the team. **Overall Grade: B+**