Mock Draft Consensus Board: 167
Projected Commanders Selection: 6th Round, No. 187
I suspect Adam Peters does not have the same sense of urgency as some fans regarding the center position in 2026. Still, the GM will most likely add to the room during the draft, and Day 3 would be a logical place to do it. Projected to go in Rounds 4-6, Jager Burton would be a strong choice for the Commanders first sixth-round selection.
A five-year senior with 47 consecutive starts, Burton began his college career at right guard, allowing no QB hurries, no QB hits, and one sack in 34 total snaps as a freshman. He played 12 games at left guard in 2022 and a mix of center and guard the next two seasons before settling into the pivot full-time in 2025. Burton is highly athletic and possesses the quick first step and movement skills to succeed in a zone-based scheme. He also demonstrates good feel on combo blocks and is capable of sealing the back side when needed. Burton works well with teammates against stunts and inside pressure.
Jager has limited lower body flexibility, which causes him to play too upright. This inhibits his play strength at the point of attack and ability to mirror and handle defenders in pass-blocking. He didn’t allow any sacks or QB hits in his final season, but it could be problematic at the next level as it leaves him open to counter moves and power rushes.
There are certainly better prospective starters in the upcoming draft, but many profile as center-only prospects. If Washington is looking to utilize their first two selections in other areas, drafting a player with some versatility to play guard ensures that a Day 3 pick will warrant a roster spot as a backup if he doesn’t win the starting job. Burton’s success relies heavily on scheme fit, which should push him down draft boards but increase interest in the Commanders’ war room. Team representatives met with Jager at Kentucky’s Pro Day this March.
Noah Whittington, Running Back, Oregon
Height/Weight: 5’8”, 205 lbs
Rushing & Receiving Table Rushing Receiving Scrimmage Season Team Conf Class Pos G Att Yds Y/A TD Y/G Rec Yds Y/R TD Y/G Plays Yds Avg TD Awards 2020* Western Kentucky CUSA FR RB 12 16 39 2.4 0 3.3 3 5 1.7 0 0.4 19 44 2.3 0 2021* Western Kentucky CUSA FR RB 12 101 617 6.1 2 51.4 12 58 4.8 0 4.8 113 675 6.0 2 2022* Oregon Pac-12 SO RB 13 139 779 5.6 5 59.9 22 169 7.7 1 13.0 161 948 5.9 6 2023* Oregon Pac-12 JR RB 4 20 146 7.3 2 36.5 10 78 7.8 0 19.5 30 224 7.5 2 2024 Oregon Big Ten JR RB 14 118 540 4.6 6 38.6 24 136 5.7 2 9.7 142 676 4.8 8 2025* Oregon Big Ten SR RB 13 129 829 6.4 6 63.8 19 98 5.2 1 7.5 148 927 6.3 7 Career 68 523 2950 5.6 21 43.4 90 544 6.0 4 8.0 613 3494 5.7 25 Oregon (4 Yrs) 44 406 2294 5.7 19 52.1 75 481 6.4 4 10.9 481 2775 5.8 23 Western Kentucky (2 Yrs) 24 117 656 5.6 2 27.3 15 63 4.2 0 2.6 132 719 5.4 2
Mock Draft Consensus Board: 269
Projected Commanders Selection: 6th Round, No. 209
Washington’s front office may wish to repeat last year’s success by selecting another running back in the final round. However, this time they may have to utilize the 6th-rounder acquired in the Brian Robinson trade. The reason? No. 209 is one spot ahead of the Chiefs’ final selection, a team that, along with the Commanders and Bears, is rumored to have “a lot of interest” in Oregon running back Noah Whittington.
Undersized but powerfully built with a low center of gravity, Noah transferred from Western Kentucky to Oregon ahead of the 2022 season but missed the majority of 2023 with a torn ACL. He came back strong in 2024, contributing a 100-yard kickoff return in Oregon’s comeback win versus Boise State. In 2025, Noah put together his best statistical season: 829 yards and 6 touchdowns on 129 carries, 19 receptions for 98 yards, and 126 return yards for 1,053 all-purpose yards. Whittington runs with excellent pad level and contact balance along with good vision. He’s a tough, physical runner who consistently maximizes available yardage by falling forward and utilizing his lower-body strength. Noah also offers some value as a receiver and, while he does need to refine his technique, is a willing blocker in pass protection.
There are a few issues working against Whittington in the draft. After red-shirting in 2023, he is a sixth-year senior and is already 24 years old. He also demonstrates limited on-field acceleration and speed. Additionally, Noah suffered another injury in 2025, undergoing surgery for a turf toe, which prevented him from testing at his Pro Day. Whittington may improve in some areas but has plateaued as a runner. Still, he offers value as a third running back that can churn out yards, provide some receiving ability, and contribute on special teams. Whittington would compete with Jeremy McNichols and Jerome Ford for a roster spot, and his running style would pair well with Bill Merritt. The running back will most likely be in play as a late-round selection for the Commanders.
Bryce Phillips, Cornerback, San Diego State
SAN DIEGO, CA – OCTOBER 03: San Diego State cornerback Bryce Phillips (0) during a college football game between the San Diego State Aztecs and Colorado State Rams on October 03, 2025, at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Karl Anderson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Height/Weight: 6’0”, 202 lbs
Defense & Fumbles Table Tackles Def Interceptions Fumbles Season Team Conf Class Pos G Solo Ast Comb TFL Sk Int Yds Avg IntTD PD FR Yds FRTD FF Awards 2024 San Diego State MWC SR CB 12 32 8 40 4.0 0.0 1 68 68.0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2025* San Diego State MWC SR CB 12 29 5 34 1.0 0.0 1 28 28.0 0 9 0 0 0 1 Career 24 61 13 74 5.0 0.0 2 96 48.0 0 10 0 0 0 1
Mock Draft Consensus Board: Not Applicable
Projected Commanders Selection: 7th Round, No. 223
The Commanders’ scouting department may have attended San Diego State’s Pro Day to watch Chris Johnson’s performance, but they actually met with a different Aztec cornerback. Bryce Phillips started his college career at Tennessee State before transferring to San Diego State in 2024. His production and size are not off the charts, but Bryce is solidly built, and his physical play style and sure tackling ability have him on the NFL radar. The corner carried a 5% missed tackle rate and allowed just 44.9% of his targets to be caught with only 29 yards surrendered after the catch in 2025, per PFF. Phillips is not afraid to mix it up with bigger, larger wide receivers on the outside, and he played his part alongside Johnson in San Diego State’s resurgent secondary.
Phillips’ measurables and athleticism are not eye-popping, but he is not deficient in any area. While his teammate will go much sooner, Phillips has an outside chance of being drafted on the final day. In addition to the Commanders, Phillips also met with the Chiefs and the Saints after his Pro Day. Given the team’s need at the position, Adam Peters may opt to use his final selection to secure the cornerback’s services instead of competing to sign Phillips as an undrafted free agent.
Despite the work done in free agency, the Commanders will still have a number of needs headed into the final day of the draft, and there should still be plenty of talent on the board. Expect third-year GM Adam Peters to follow his philosophy of drafting the highest-rated players, but also with an eye for filling the remaining holes on the roster. The prospects listed above may represent the best of both worlds for the Commanders but could change based on the first two days of the draft. Make sure to check in frequently at Hogs Haven for the latest news and updates as the 2026 NFL Draft unfolds.