After a win last week, the Washington Commanders were back in the losing column in Week 16 after a 29-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. After winning 12 games last season and reaching the NFC Championship Game, the Commanders didn’t pick until 29th overall in the 2025 NFL draft.
Washington didn’t live up to expectations this season and is currently 4-11 with two games remaining. After losing eight games in a row, the Commanders defeated the New York Giants last week. The win cost them a couple of spots in the 2026 NFL draft order.
Fortunately for those Washington fans rooting for the highest draft pick possible, Saturday’s loss helped. Washington, which had tumbled to No. 8 after its win over the Giants, was back up to No. 7 thanks to wins by the New Orleans Saints and Cincinnati Bengals. The Saints are playing well, having won three consecutive games. The Commanders are the NFL’s only four-win team, and there are four three-win teams in front of them. The race for the No. 1 overall pick appears to be a two-horse race between the Giants and Las Vegas Raiders, who, coincidentally enough, play each other next week.
Here’s a current look at the top 10 ahead of Monday Night Football, which features the 49ers and Colts, neither of whom will pick inside the top 10.
The Commanders face the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Day, where they’ll be big underdogs, especially if quarterback Marcus Mariota doesn’t play. If Mariota can’t go, 39-year-old Josh Johnson would start for Washington.