Commanders showing interest in All-SEC cornerback

Will the Washington Commanders select a cornerback in the 2026 NFL Draft? If they do, it will be the fourth consecutive year for Washington selecting a cornerback, following Emmanuel Forbes (1st round, 2023), Mike Sainristil (2nd round, 2024) and Trey Amos (2nd round, 2025).

Washington should be set at cornerback for the foreseeable future, but Forbes was cut midway through his second NFL season, while Sainristil struggled in 2025 after an impressive rookie season. Amos was the Commanders' best cornerback last season before a broken leg ended his season in Week 10.

So, it's no surprise that the Commanders are evaluating cornerbacks again in 2026. Washington hosted LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, considered the top corner in the 2026 class, on an official top-30 visit. But will Washington use the No. 7 overall pick on a cornerback? Well, much of that depends on what happens in front of them.

The Commanders are also evaluating other cornerback prospects in the 2026 class. One of those cornerbacks, Malik Muhammad of Texas, is expected to go sometime on Day 2 of the NFL draft. Muhammad recently revealed the Commanders were among the teams showing the most interest.

"The Commanders, the Raiders, of course, I've got the Cowboys coming up, the Bills, 49ers, Saints, Panthers, Steelers," Muhammad responded when asked which teams were showing the most interest."

Muhammad is a 6-foot-0, 182-pound prospect from DeSoto, Texas. He made his mark as a true freshman in 2023 and then became a full-time starter in 2024. He played 41 games in three seasons for the Longhorns against SEC competition, recording 97 tackles, 16 passes defensed and three interceptions.

While Muhammad has a slighter frame, he is an outside cornerback with the ability to move inside. Here's what former NFL defensive back Eric Crocker said about him, calling him the best cornerback in the class.

If Muhammad were still available for the Commanders at No. 71, he could be a steal. Washington shockingly landed Amos late in the second round last year, when many believed he was a first-round talent.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders showing interest in Texas CB Malik Muhammad