The Washington Commanders are entering a critical offseason in 2026, and needed an infusion of youth, talent, and some luck as they try to bounce back from a 5-12 season. The second year of Adam Peters’ “recalibration” of the roster started with sky-high expectations after an NFC Championship Game appearance the year before. A Terry McLaurin hold-in, along with injuries to multiple starters made for a miserable season, but with the NFL draft over, it’s time to get an idea of where Washington stands.
The Commanders used free agency to make massive changes to the defense, along with firing defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr, and replacing him with Daronte Jones. That focus on defense continued with their first pick in this year’s draft, Ohio State LB Sonny Styles.
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Washington also made major changes on the offensive side of the ball. There were reportedly issues with former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s use of personnel/playcalling last season, which was amplified by injuries to major players like Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin. David Blough took over the reigns from his former boss, and is expected to make significant changes to the offense, and help mold Daniels into a more complete NFL QB. He also got some help in free agency with players like TE Chig Okonkwo and RB Rachaad White. Adam Peters used Washington’s second pick in the draft(3rd round) on WR Antonio Williams.
Washington ranks as high as #15 with high praise for this year’s free agency and draft classes. The other side of the spectrum has them ranked as low as #26, but with expectations to bounce back from last year’s disappointing results.
Winning the Super Bowl odds: +4,500
Winning the NFC East Odds: +410
Jayden Daniels MVP Odds: +2,000
High: 15
Low: 26
Average: 22.3
#15
Pro Football Network (Infante)
Coming off a disappointing 2025, the Washington Commanders needed some major upgrades to their roster in free agency. So far, they’ve been able to do exactly that. Most of their moves have come on defense, having signed the likes of Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson, Leo Chenal, Nick Cross, Tim Settle, and Amik Robertson.
Despite not having picks in the second or fourth rounds, the Commanders came away with the top-graded draft class by PFSN’s NFL Draft HQ. Sonny Styles and Antonio Williams should start right away for Washington, while Day 3 picks like Joshua Josephs, Kaytron Allen, and Matt Gulbin were all great value selections where they got drafted.
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#20
SB Nation
#21
Sporting News (Iyer)
The Commanders went strong for Sonny Styles at linebacker and Antonio Williams at wide receiver, addressing two key needs with changing coordinators on both sides of the ball. They also need Kaytron Allen to boost the running game for Jayden Daniels, who needs to have a healthy season for the Commanders to surprise again.
The Big Lead (Antoine)
Drafted defense-first with real intent and tried to raise the unit’s athletic floor – the only problem is they still need the offense to be competent.
Barstool Sports
A lot of this comes down to having faith in Jayden Daniels. The trio of him, Bill and Terry are super solid. Add Okonkwo to that offense and I like what I see. I feel they overpaid for Odafe Oweh (he was a great in-season trade for my Chargers but I don’t see the vision there) but, if he performs at the same level as the end of last year, that front 7 could be dangerous. The bigger issue is that they just don’t have a lot of picks top to work with. They face the NFCW and AFCS.
Their defense took a major step back last year and Styles is an immediate upgrade. Every team needs a hyper-dynamic guy like that. Antonio Williams should also help their depleted WR room and give Jayden something to work with. I think this team has improved but they still have problems, the Eagles aren’t going anywhere and the Cowboys/Giants are getting better.
#22
Sharp Football Analysis (Summerlin)
Sonny Styles was a great get for Washington, even if they might have rather landed Mansoor Delane, and I am a fan of Antonio Williams both as a player and how he can complement Terry McLaurin.
The Score
There was a huge gap between the Commanders’ first two picks (Nos. 7 and 71), but they were able to combine need, best talent available, and value. Washington landed inside linebacker Sonny Styles in Round 1 and later added much-needed help at wide receiver in the form of the overlooked Antonio Williams in the third round.
New York Post (Selby)
Rookie LB Sonny Styles completes an extensive defensive upgrade while a healthy Jayden Daniels needs a bounceback season from WR Terry McLaurin.
#23
USA Today (Davis)
Even if they get a full season of QB Jayden Daniels, does he have enough weaponry around him offensively?
Fox Sports (Vacchiano)
Dan Quinn fell in love with Ohio State LB Sonny Styles, and that’s great. But what this team needed most was offensive playmakers. They got Clemson WR Antonio Williams in the third, but they needed more, plus more help on the offensive line.
#24
NFL.com (Edholm)
The Commanders entered the draft with just six picks (two in the top 100) to try to check a lot of boxes. They were looking to butter both sides of the bread — getting more help for Jayden Daniels while attempting to add more firepower on defense — and they did fairly well with what they had, I suppose. Hyper-athletic LB Sonny Styles felt like a strong pick and should start immediately. I am not anti-Antonio Williams, but I do wonder whether he’s the type of receiver Washington needed most. On the positive side, I felt like both edge Joshua Josephs and RB Kaytron Allen were strong picks where the Commanders got them. On the whole, this class only moved the needle so much, and Daniels’ re-emergence holds the key to a bounce-back season.
#26
The Athletic (Kendall)
Best rookie season: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The seventh overall pick is going to excel in Daronte Jones’ defense, where he’ll start right out of the gate. The 6-5, 244-pound former safety will do a little bit of everything for the Commanders and should fill up the stat sheet.
CBS Sports (Prisco)
They are coming off a down year, but Jayden Daniels is back healthy and they added some good pieces in free agency and the draft. There have been a lot of changes in the offseason, including their coordinators.
Bleacher Report
The Washington Commanders are positioned to rebound from a disappointing and injury-plagued 2025 campaign.
The Commanders have taken significant steps to improve a defense that ranked dead last in yards allowed last season. They hired a new defensive coordinator in Daronte Jones and added the likes of Odafe Oweh, Nick Cross, K’Lavon Chaisson, Tim Settle, and rookie first-round pick Sonny Styles.
Despite adding Rachaad White, Jerome Ford and Antonio Williams, Washington could use more depth at running back and receiver. However, the offense should be just fine if Jayden Daniels can stay healthy in 2026.
FTN Fantasy (Kelley)
The Commanders ended last season 5-12, but they started 3-2. Things just fell apart. The team’s talented enough that it could bounce back in 2026.
Where should the Commanders be ranked? Let us know in the comments.
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