Gridiron Ducks Ready to Dive into 2026 Washington Commanders NFL Draft!

Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) runs for a first down before he is stopped by Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30), defensive back Rod Moore (19) and defensive end Cameron Brandt (9) in the second half at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images The 2026 NFL draft starts Thursday, April 23rd at 8 p. m ET, and will be broadcast live from Pittsburgh, PA.

Teams have been scouting these players for years, and the pre-draft process was on full display at the NFL Scouting Combine last week. We still have a series of Pro Days where some players who didn’t test, or get measured, will give teams more information. Teams had access to prospects for formal and informal interviews at the Combine, but as the draft approaches, they are also able to host 30 players for formal visits with two of those already schedule(Makai Lemon, Romello Height).

They can also hold workouts and local prospect pro days to get more information on players they have interest in, or players they want teams to think they have interest in. GM Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn had a lot of work to do after a 5-12 season that was a massive dropoff from their first season in Washington. The Commanders had the oldest roster in the league last season, and injecting youth and speed into the lineup was a priority according to Peters.

Washington has added nine players in free agency so far, and there will be more signings as the team works to fill out the 90-man offseason roster. The Washington Commanders have the No. 7 overall pick, but only hold two picks within the top 100.