The annual NFL Draft, kicking off on April 23, is rapidly approaching (courtesy Paul Drohan)
The closer we get to draft night, the wider the range of plausible outcomes becomes — especially for teams picking inside the top 10 without a quarterback need.
This latest mock draft exercise leans into that uncertainty, though league sources helped fill in some blanks. Rather than forcing one rigid projection, Mock Draft 8.0 maps out two paths, both reaching the Commanders’ early third-round pick.
First, a realistic board based on team tendencies, positional value, and how the first wave of selections could alter everything that follows. Then comes another reality: Trades are coming, even if the thin QB market limits urgency. The second mock considers a world where deals get done.
For Washington, the math remains unchanged: No. 7 puts one of this class’s few first-round graded players within its grasp. For a team with only two top-100 picks, the first-rounder is the front office’s main trade chip to acquire more.
One version plays it straight, the other lets general manager Adam Peters consider trading for more picks or letting the board fall without forcing movement.
Runs at edge rusher, offensive tackle, and wide receiver feel inevitable. The question is when — and who gets squeezed.
1. Raiders — Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Las Vegas already helped the Heisman winner by signing center Tyler Linderbaum and (Week 1 starting) quarterback Kirk Cousins. Next steps: officially draft Mendoza and add more linemen and receivers on Day 2.
2. Jets — Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Reese or Bailey. Bailey or Reese. Stick with the higher-upside prospect.
3. Cardinals — David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
Arizona may face the classic need (offensive line) vs. best-player-available debate.
4. Titans — Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Drafting a non-premium position this high is tricky, but Love may be the top overall talent. Quarterback Cam Ward also needs help.
5. Giants — Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
It only feels like New York’s offensive line issues have lasted longer than Jaxson Dart has been alive. Hiring John Harbaugh tips the scale toward line help.
6. Browns — Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Does Cleveland view Fano as a left tackle despite shorter arms? Likely yes. The floor — Pro Bowl guard — and limited OL options at picks 24 and 39 support the call.
7. Commanders — Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The bigger question is whether the elite athlete is still on the board, not whether Washington would be interested in adding the 6-foot-5, 244-pound converted safety who paced all linebackers at the Combine in the 40 (4.46) and vertical leap (43.5 inches).
Tennessee looms as the pivot point with what’s shaping up as a Love or Styles debate. The Commanders would become a likely landing spot for the Notre Dame RB should he reach No. 7.
Commanders 7-Round Mock Draft: Six picks, one clear priority at No. 7
8. Saints — Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
Steal of the draft or cautionary tale? The range of outcomes is wide.
9. Chiefs — Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
With three top-40 picks, Kansas City can wait on CB and WR. Downs offers immediate impact on the field and in the locker room.
10. Bengals — Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Cincinnati would draft multiple defenders here if it could.
11. Dolphins — Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Moving on from veterans like Jaylen Waddle signals a reset. Fine, but Miami cannot leave new QB Malik Willis short on targets.
12. Cowboys — Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Dallas must address its weak secondary. Two first-round picks help.
13. Rams (from Falcons) — Makai Lemon, WR, USC
After addressing cornerback in free agency, Los Angeles adds playmaking for Matthew Stafford — possibly in his final season. Lemon is a YAC machine and plays tougher than his smaller frame suggests.
14. Ravens — Vega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
Pick a line. Add size. Repeat on the other side in Round 2.
15. Buccaneers — Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
16. Jets (from Colts) — Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
17. Lions — Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
18. Vikings — Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
19. Panthers — Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
20. Cowboys (from Packers) — Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
21. Steelers — Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
22. Chargers — Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
23. Eagles — Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
24. Browns (from Jaguars) — Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
25. Bears — T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson
26. Bills — Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
27. 49ers — Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
28. Texans — C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
29. Chiefs (from Rams) — K.C. Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
30. Dolphins (from Broncos) — Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
31. Patriots — Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
32. Seahawks — Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
The trade-down blueprint: Mapping Commanders’ targets through the early rounds
33. Jets — Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
34. Cardinals — Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
35. Titans — Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
36. Raiders — Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
37. Giants — Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
38. Texans (from Commanders) — Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
39. Browns — Zion Young, Edge, Missouri
40. Chiefs — Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
41. Bengals — Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
42. Saints — Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
43. Dolphins — Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF
44. Jets (from Cowboys) — Gabe Jacas, Edge, Illinois
45. Ravens — Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
46. Buccaneers — Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
47. Colts — D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
48. Falcons — R Mason Thomas, DE, Oklahoma
49. Vikings — Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
50. Lions — Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
51. Panthers — Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
52. Packers — Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
53. Steelers — Keionte Scott, S, Miami
54. Eagles — Derrick Moore, DE, Michigan
55. Chargers — Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech
56. Jaguars — Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
57. Bears — Treydan Stukes, DB, Arizona
58. 49ers — Keyron Crawford, DE, Auburn
59. Texans — Austin Barber, OT, Florida
60. Bears (from Bills) — Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
61. Rams — Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
62. Broncos — Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
63. Patriots — Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
64. Seahawks — Mike Washington, RB, Arkansas
The Commanders chase elite athletes. It’s the clearest clue to pick No. 7
65. Cardinals — Markel Bell, OT, Miami
66. Titans — Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
67. Raiders — Chris Brazell II, WR, Tennessee
68. Eagles (from Jets) — Bud Clark, S, LSU
69. Texans (from Giants) — Jaishawn Barham, DE, Michigan
70. Browns — Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
71. Commanders — Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
Washington could skip receiver, especially if Brandon Aiyuk is eventually headed to town. Otherwise, the 6-foot-3 Hurst works as a target with 4.42 speed and an ability to run routes while maintaining pace within the breaks. Ole Miss WR De’Zhaun Stribling, Penn State DE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Ohio State CB Davison Igbinosun, Penn State S Zakee Wheatley and Florida C Jake Slaughter are other names in the third-round mix.