March 28, 2026, 6:04 a.m. ET
The 2026 NFL Draft is just under a month away, and that means we are fully into the throes of mock draft season. NFL and draft analysts are releasing their predictions of which players will be drafted by each team in abundance, and we get to tell you what they’re saying.
The latest mock draft to be released was from NFL.com’s Charles Davis. In his mock, the New York Giants take Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, and the Cleveland Browns select Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, which gives the Washington Commanders the direction they need. He suggests that the Commanders will select Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.
The Commanders must get younger and quicker on defense. The dynamic Styles could replace Bobby Wagner or learn from the six-time first-team All-Pro if Washington re-signs him.
The Commanders do need to get younger and quicker on defense, something GM Adam Peters has already been working toward in free agency. The struggle with this pick is, do the Commanders want Styles or Ohio State safety Caleb Downs? Styles is the more versatile player and can act like an additional safety on the field, but the Commanders’ depth suggests that the other Buckeye might fill a bigger need.
Still, either one of those players is a welcome addition to the Commanders’ defense. Both Styles and Downs are All-Americans, elite talents, with high character and football IQ. Both would instantly improve any defense, and the Commanders would love to land either, but Styles could be the ready-made replacement for future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner and give Washington two of the NFL’s fastest linebackers, alongside Leo Chenal.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.