{"id":857738,"date":"2026-04-06T23:19:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T23:19:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/857738\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T23:19:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T23:19:20","slug":"3-underrated-wr-prospects-who-could-become-impact-players-for-commanders-without-using-premium-pick-in-2026-nfl-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/857738\/","title":{"rendered":"3 underrated WR prospects who could become impact players for Commanders without using premium pick in 2026 NFL Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Washington Commanders need to add talent at the WR position in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they can easily do so without using their first-round pick on one by selecting one of these underrated prospects.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"\"
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDec 27, 2025; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (3) runs the ball against the Virginia Cavaliers during the third quarter at EverBank Stadium.
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTravis Register-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Washington Commanders are headed into the 2026 NFL Draft with a much-improved roster, but still have needs that have to be addressed.<\/p>\n

The defense took a major leap forward, but the WR room had its misses in free agency. After being unable to land Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs, the Commanders face a difficult decision of selecting a WR at No. 7 overall<\/a> or waiting until later in the draft.<\/p>\n

The Washington Commanders have three options when it comes to underrated WR prospects I\u2019m much higher on than others who could be a day-one impact player without using a premium pick.<\/p>\n

Kevin Coleman Jr, Missouri<\/p>\n

I almost didn\u2019t put Kevin Coleman Jr. on the list because he has been a quick riser since the Senior Bowl<\/a>, but this has been one of \u201cmy guys\u201d of the draft cycle. Coleman Jr. is easily my favorite slot WR in the draft behind Makai Lemon, and he\u2019s a seamless fit for the Commanders\u2019 offense. He\u2019s 5-10, 180 pounds, and is as shifty as they come. <\/p>\n

Missouri\u2019s passing offense struggled, but Coleman Jr. still led the team in catches and yards with 66 receptions for 732 yards. He has excellent deep ball tracking skills and has a high contested catch rate of 81.8% in 2025, so he can compete at the catch point. Coleman Jr. has had a lot of interest from teams, and A to Z Sports currently has him projected to go in the early fourth round<\/a>, which is much earlier than PFF.<\/p>\n

Kevin Coleman Jr. is an underrated WR prospect who I expect to ascend at the Senior Bowl<\/p>\n

Elusiveness, zone IQ, and fluidity to dominate from the slot pic.twitter.com\/SmCoBI3X2T<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Cyrus Allen, Cincinnati<\/p>\n

Cyrus Allen is an electric slot WR who measured in at 5-11, 180 pounds, and he\u2019s one of the best route runners in the entire class. Allen played primarily outside until 2025, when he broke out in the slot with 661 yards and 12 touchdowns, which was top-3 in the country.<\/p>\n

His one weakness is his physicality, and he had a contested catch rate of just 20%, which isn\u2019t ideal, but you don\u2019t need to contest for a catch if you can create separation as he does. Allen is projected to go anywhere in the sixth or seventh round and could become a day-three impact player. The Washington Commanders need an explosive slot WR, and Allen is my guy in this draft.<\/p>\n

Cyrus Allen (5\u201911 180) Cincinnati <\/p>\n

+ 16.1 yards per catch for his career
+ 2.0% drop rate in 2025
+ 2.42 yards per route ran in 2025
+ 12 receiving touchdowns in 2025
+ Straight-line speed
+ Quick to create separation
+ Sharp route runner and he displayed that at the Senior\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/gUUqkWc9nx<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) March 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

De\u2019Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss<\/p>\n

De\u2019Zhaun Stribling is very underrated<\/a> and one of my favorite WR prospects in the draft. My bold prediction is that Stribling is a top-10 producing WR next season, and he\u2019s currently WR20 to WR23 on most big boards. Stribling is a 6-2, 207-pound WR who dominates in many ways on the outside. He has incredibly strong hands and ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the combine.<\/p>\n

Stribing has the perfect blend of speed, body control, and physicality that translates to the NFL, and I have no idea why he\u2019s not getting more hype. He\u2019s had 800+ yards and six touchdowns each of the last two seasons, and averaged 14.5+ yards per catch as well. Stribling is projected to go in the late fourth or early fifth round, and I\u2019d easily take him at No. 147 overall if he falls.<\/p>\n

The Washington Commanders have a lot of options to consider at WR if they miss on their guy<\/a>, or decide to address another position, and I\u2019ll take any of these three underrated prospects.<\/p>\n

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Washington Commanders News<\/p>\n

The Washington Commanders make the most of their six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft by taking the best player at No. 7 overall, while taking elite talent to help fill needs to support Jayden Daniels and rebuild the defense.<\/p>\n