After exploring a mock draft scenario where the New York Jets decided to trade down from pick No. 2, here’s the other side of the coin. In that scenario, the Washington Commanders were the team trading up from pick No. 7.
Before diving any further, it’s important to acknowledge that this isn’t the most likely scenario, but it is a possibility.
Here’s what that Jets mock draft had to say: “However, Arvell Reese and Rueben Bain Jr. are both phenomenal prospects as well. Based on my analysis, neither is worth trading up for, but it also wouldn’t be a ridiculous move.”
The goal of this article is to go through this exercise in order to reach a final verdict on whether the Commanders should trade up in round one or stay put.
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Washington Commanders 2026 NFL Mock Draft
For this Commanders mock draft, we’ll be going through the first two rounds using the PFSN Mock Draft Simulator.
Washington Commanders Trade Up: New York Jets
Based on the trade down in that TWSN Jets article, here’s what Washington would be giving up: “The mock trade idea had them giving up pick No. 7, their 2027 1st round pick, and a 2027 5th round pick.”
Considering that there’s not a quarterback that should go in this spot, the price was fairly reasonable to move up to pick No. 2.
At the same time, the Commanders have a number of needs to fill right now. It’s tough to see them looking to give up their 2027 first-round pick in order to draft one player.
First-Round Pick (2nd Overall): Arvell Reese, LB/Edge, Ohio State
If the Commanders trade up to pick No. 2, the most likely selection would be Arvell Reese. Considering that Reese didn’t play a ton on the edge this past year, there are a lot of conflicting viewpoints on his NFL projection.
Some view Reese as a player who will likely be a starting linebacker who plays some edge snaps in the NFL. That would be similar to what he did at Ohio State.
On the other hand, I’m willing to buy into the flashes and tools with Reese playing a ton of snaps at edge. Reese is a player who could play a ton of snaps at edge with linebacker versatility.
The only way that Washington would likely even think about trading up is if they view him in that sense. Going beyond my own analysis, the consensus big board for 2026 has Reese as the second-best player in this class, just behind Fernando Mendoza.
Third-Round Pick (71st Overall): Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
The main focus for the Commanders should be rebuilding the defense. Although they technically drafted a linebacker in round one, Reese wouldn’t be the Bobby Wagner replacement.
Instead, that would be Jake Golday, the linebacker out of Cincinnati.
Looking back at the consensus board, many see Golday as a value at pick No. 71. Golday is ranked 53rd overall in this class as the LB5.
This past year at Cincinnati, Golday racked up 105 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.
Golday also had a 90.6 PFF run grade and a 77.5 coverage grade. His pass rush grade was down at 61.1, even with those 3.5 sacks.
All things considered, this Washington Commanders mock draft should show that even though Reese is a good player, it’s not worth it for Washington to trade up.
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