The Washington Commanders are determined to improve the wide receiver position this offseason. Washington pursued Alec Pierce aggressively in free agency, but he chose to return to the Colts just before free agency officially began. The Commanders also pursued Romeo Doubs before he signed with the Patriots.

Those moves tell you that general manager Adam Peters understands the importance of adding more talent at the skill positions for quarterback Jayden Daniels. While the Commanders missed on Peters and Doubs, they did sign former Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo to a three-year deal. Okonkwo gives Washington a dynamic tight end, pairing him with Ben Sinnott and John Bates to form what could be one of the better trios in the NFL.

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Peters did add two receivers, Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson. Brown and Jefferson will provide depth. Brown’s speed could help him carve out an immediate role, but neither prevents Washington from adding to the position in free agency and/or the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Commanders have been linked to all of the top receivers in the upcoming draft, most notably Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State), and Makai Lemon (USC). All three are projected to go in the first round next month. While Tate and Tyson have been more popular names for Washington because they play outside receiver, don’t overlook Lemon. The USC star is dynamic and tough in the slot, and has drawn comparisons to Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown. That’s interesting when you consider the Commanders plan to run a similar offense under new offensive coordinator David Blough — St. Brown’s former teammate.

Washington recently held a private workout for Lemon, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

The 5-foot-11, 192-pound Lemon ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at USC’s pro day last week. Lemon posted elite production over the last two years for the Trojans, including winning the Biletnikoff Award last season and being named first-team All-American.

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While Washington has been heavily linked to 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk once he’s released, drafting a receiver in the first round remains a primary option, and Lemon is among those options.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Commanders worked out USC WR Makai Lemon