The Commanders had limited draft capital to work with after making a push to add veterans via trade last year, so how does their draft class compare to would-be selections using our board?

 

Actual selections

1.07: LB Sonny Styles

3.71: WR Antonio Williams

5.147: EDGE Joshua Josephs

6.187: RB Kaytron Allen

6.209: C Matt Gulbin

7.223: QB Athan Kaliakmanis

 

Wolf Sports selections

1.07: S Caleb Downs

3.71: CB Jermod McCoy

5.147: G DJ Campbell

6.187: LB Harold Perkins Jr.

6.209: TE John Michael Gyllenborg

7.223: WR Deion Burks

 

Thoughts

Washington clearly wanted to get tougher and more physical this offseason, and Sonny Styles could become one of the most feared defenders in the league based on how big and athletic he is at linebacker. We preferred Ohio State teammate Caleb Downs at No. 7 overall, so—as was also the case with the Giants passing on him (twice)—it’ll be fun to track how the standout safety performs against the Commanders in the NFC East over the next few years.

 

The next selection for Washington was spent on Antonio Williams, and it was good value for him as a well-rounded player with natural receiving ability who we compared to Parker Washington. However, despite wide receiver being much more of a need than cornerback, Jermod McCoy was our top player on the board; and as stated in previous articles, he could focus on getting to full health instead of being pressed to play immediately in a room with Trey Amos, Mike Sainristil, and Amik Robertson.

 

In the fifth round, the Commanders got another strong value with Joshua Josephs (our No. 69 overall prospect) falling to them, and he’s an aggressive edge defender who will be in an ideal spot to develop with Washington adding a bunch of pass rushers this offseason as they transition to more of a 3-4 front. Our choice would have been DJ Campbell there, and he could have competed with Chris Paul at left guard to begin his career with Sam Cosmi on the right side.

 

Kaytron Allen was the next selection for the Commanders as a power back who could have gone earlier on Day 3, and he should have a chance to earn a role in Year 1. Then, Washington took Matt Gulbin as a solid option at center and finished off with Athan Kaliakmanis at quarterback.

 

Based on our board, the final three selections would have been Harold Perkins Jr. at linebacker, John Michael Gyllenborg at tight end, and Jalon Daniels—who has already drawn rave reviews by Tampa Bay’s coaching staff after signing with them as an undrafted free agent—at quarterback.

 

Overall, we like Washington’s draft class more than the previous two years (which have had limited contributors outside of Jayden Daniels), and we’ll see if things come together for them in 2026.