Feb. 3, 2026, 1:01 a.m. ET

What direction will the Washington Commanders go with their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft? Fortunately, Washington doesn’t need a quarterback or to address the offensive line early. Everything else on the table, though

Before we get to the NFL draft, there is free agency next month. Much of Washington’s draft strategy could depend on what happens in free agency. The Commanders need help at all three levels of their defense, another starting wide receiver, a pass-catching tight end and a versatile running back.

That’s a lot of needs. What the Commanders need most is a game-changing talent, regardless of position. They have that at quarterback with Jayden Daniels. However, Washington lacks that type of defender. The good news is that GM Adam Peters could have options in April’s draft.

In his new mock draft for ESPN, draft analyst Matt Miller has the Commanders landing one of those elite players at No. 7 overall: Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.

There might be criticism of a team using a top-10 pick on a safety, but this draft class lacks a ton of elite top-end talent at the premium positions. And Commanders coach Dan Quinn needs to tighten up a defense that allowed a league-worst 384.0 yards per game. Downs is a difference-maker in the mold of Derwin James Jr. or Kyle Hamilton , who can dictate what an offense is able to do but also be a matchup problem in multiple alignments.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.

New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones is a former defensive back who rose through the NFL coaching ranks as a defensive backs coach. In recent years, Jones coached potential future Hall of Fame safety Harrison Smith. Smith credited Jones for his success later in his career.

If you draft Downs, you’d better have a plan. Don’t just draft him and line him up at free safety. He’s a chess piece. Downs is the type of player who can make your entire defense better. He can cover, defend the run, blitz, or line up over the slot. He can also tackle, something the rest of Washington’s defense couldn’t do in 2025.

If the Commanders can land an edge rusher or two in free agency, Downs should absolutely be in play at No. 7. However, if they come away from free agency without a starting edge, passing on Texas Tech’s David Bailey could be a massive mistake. Miller has Bailey going No. 9 to the Kansas City Chiefs.