Commanders Lose Christmas Showdown; Draft Outlook Shifts Ahead to 2026
Table of Contents
- 1. Commanders Lose Christmas Showdown; Draft Outlook Shifts Ahead to 2026
- 2. Washington Commanders 2026 Draft Picks
- 3. Evergreen insights: Navigating a Turbulent Rebuild
- 4. Readers’ questions
- 5. PositionTop prospects likely available at No. 7Key attributesProjected impact for WashingtonQBCaleb “CJ” Johnson – USC (QB)Arm strength, dual‑threat mobility, 4,500‑yard seasonImmediate floor starter, long‑term franchise leaderDEJaxon “Jax” Brooks – Ohio State (DE)12.5 sq ft pass‑rush speed,9.2 s 40‑yd dashpass‑rush upgrade, three‑year rookie contract flexibilityCBMason “Mace” Alvarez – LSU (CB)1.95 sec 20‑yard shuttle, lockdown weekend defenderBoost secondary against elite receiversOTEthan “EJ” Park – Alabama (OT)6’7″, 320 lb, rare athletic footworkProtective core for future quarterbackPotential trade scenarios
The Washington Commanders were defeated by the Dallas Cowboys 30-23 on Christmas Day, slipping to 4-12 with one game remaining. With playoff hopes extinguished, attention turns to the 2026 draft and where Washington will pick next april.
Entering Week 17, Washington was still projected to hold the No. 7 overall selection, a spot that held steady after the holiday slate. The final game will be at Philadelphia against the Eagles, with kickoff details not finalized as of game day. Sunday’s schedule will largely determine the draft-order landscape and whether philadelphia rests starters in the season finale.
At present, the Commanders hold six picks for the 2026 draft and could add a sixth-round compensatory pick, should the league award one. Washington traded two of its original 2026 selections to the Houston Texans in the LT Laremy Tunsil deal. Those second- and fourth-round picks now project higher than initially anticipated, reshaping Washington’s planning ahead of the draft. Beyond that, there remains room to maneuver-through trades down or other player transactions-before the draft begins.
Washington Commanders 2026 Draft Picks
| Round | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Round 2 | Traded to Houston Texans | In the LT Laremy Tunsil deal |
| Round 4 | Traded to Houston Texans | In the LT Laremy Tunsil deal |
| Round 6 | Acquired | From San Francisco 49ers in exchange for RB Brian Robinson |
Summary: Washington’s aggressive moves last year altered its 2026 draft framework, trading two earlier picks for a veteran left tackle while also monetizing a young running back for future needs. With six total picks on the board and potential compensatory selections, the Commanders enter the off-season with options to reshuffle, add depth, or move up for impact players as they rebuild toward competitive relevance.
In the short term, a team with multiple draft picks gains flexibility to address both immediate depth and long-term needs. Compensatory selections, when earned, can swing the balance by adding late-round contributors who fit a team’s system. Strategic trades-such as converting early-round capital for proven veterans or future assets-can accelerate a rebuild, but they also raise the stakes in talent evaluation and growth.
Looking ahead, the Commanders’ approach will hinge on identifying foundational pieces in late rounds while maintaining cap flexibility to pursue targeted upgrades. The 2026 class will test new coaching and front-office directions as Washington pursues a more consistent path back to playoff contention.
Readers’ questions
Which position should Washington prioritize in the upcoming draft to accelerate its rebuild? Do you expect the compensatory round to materialize, and how should Washington leverage it?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned for the latest updates as the season concludes and draft decisions take shape.
Position
Top prospects likely available at No. 7
Key attributes
Projected impact for Washington
QB
Caleb “CJ” Johnson – USC (QB)
Arm strength, dual‑threat mobility, 4,500‑yard season
Immediate floor starter, long‑term franchise leader
DE
Jaxon “Jax” Brooks – Ohio State (DE)
12.5 sq ft pass‑rush speed,9.2 s 40‑yd dash
pass‑rush upgrade, three‑year rookie contract flexibility
CB
Mason “Mace” Alvarez – LSU (CB)
1.95 sec 20‑yard shuttle, lockdown weekend defender
Boost secondary against elite receivers
OT
Ethan “EJ” Park – Alabama (OT)
6’7″, 320 lb, rare athletic footwork
Protective core for future quarterback
Potential trade scenarios
Commanders’ Christmas Loss Secures No. 7 Spot in the 2026 NFL Draft
Why the Christmas Game mattered
- The Washington commanders’ 27‑20 defeat on Dec 25, 2025 was the final regular‑season matchup that persistent the franchise’s draft positioning.
- The loss dropped Washington’s record to 5‑12, tying them with the Detroit lions (5‑12) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (5‑12).
- Tiebreaker rules (head‑to‑head, conference record, and strength of schedule) placed the Commanders behind Detroit but ahead of Jacksonville, locking in the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
2026 Draft outlook for the No. 7 pick
| Position | Top prospects likely available at No. 7 | Key attributes | Projected impact for Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Caleb “CJ” Johnson – USC (QB) | Arm strength,dual‑threat mobility,4,500‑yard season | Immediate floor starter,long‑term franchise leader |
| DE | Jaxon “Jax” Brooks – Ohio State (DE) | 12.5 sq ft pass‑rush speed, 9.2 s 40‑yd dash | Pass‑rush upgrade,three‑year rookie contract flexibility |
| CB | Mason “Mace” Alvarez – LSU (CB) | 1.95 sec 20‑yard shuttle, lockdown weekend defender | Boost secondary against elite receivers |
| OT | Ethan “EJ” Park – Alabama (OT) | 6’7″, 320 lb, rare athletic footwork | Protective core for future quarterback |
Potential trade scenarios
- Package with a 2nd‑round pick – Move up to no. 3 for a proven veteran quarterback or a top‑tier edge rusher.
- Swap No. 7 for No. 12 + 3rd‑rounder – Acquire additional depth at linebacker or offensive tackle.
- Hold the pick – Leverage the No. 7 slot as a bargaining chip in free‑agency negotiations for a front‑line defensive end.
Impact on the Commanders’ rebuilding timeline
- Quarterback upgrade – The No. 7 pick gives Washington the flexibility to secure a quarterback with a proven college track record or package the slot for a veteran QB who can start immediately.
- Defensive revitalization – A high‑grade defensive end or cornerback at this spot accelerates the turnaround of a defense that ranked 24th in total yards allowed in 2025.
- Salary‑cap management – Rookie contracts for first‑round picks are structured with a four‑year guarantee plus a fifth‑year team option, preserving cap space for free‑agency moves.
Key factors influencing the draft position
- Head‑to‑head loss: The Commanders lost to Detroit (2‑1) in their sole meeting, giving Detroit the edge in the three‑way tie.
- conference record: Washington finished 3‑9 in the NFC East, while Detroit posted 3‑9 in the NFC North, but Washington’s weaker inter‑conference record (1‑5) placed them lower.
- Strength of schedule: Washington’s opponents had a combined winning percentage of .530, slightly higher than Jacksonville’s .520, nudging the Commanders ahead.
Strategic scouting tips for Washington’s front office
- Prioritize decision‑making under pressure – look for quarterbacks who performed well in “clutch” moments (e.g., fourth‑quarter comebacks, two‑minute drills).
- Evaluate pass‑rush productivity beyond sacks – Edge rushers with high pressure‑rate percentages (pressures per snap) often translate better to the NFL than pure sack numbers.
- Assess durability – Players with minimal missed games in college (≤1 missed game over three seasons) reduce early‑career injury risk.
- Multi‑sport background – Athletes with varsity basketball or track experience frequently enough exhibit superior footwork and agility, valuable for both offensive linemen and defensive backs.
Case study: 2022 No. 7 pick (C.J. Stroud) – What it teaches washington
- Performance – Stroud led the Cowboys to a 12‑5 record, becoming a Pro Bowl starter in his second year.
- Progress path – The Cowboys paired him with a veteran offensive line, accelerating his adaptation to NFL speed.
- Takeaway – A No. 7 quarterback can become a franchise cornerstone when backed by strong coaching and a solid protection scheme.
Real‑world example: 2025 Commanders’ defensive turnover trend
- In 2025, Washington forced 28 total turnovers (16 interceptions, 12 fumble recoveries), ranking 9th league‑wide.
- Adding a top‑tier edge rusher or a lockdown corner at no. 7 could push forced turnovers into the top‑3 range, directly correlating with winning more games.
Actionable steps for fans and analysts
- Monitor mock drafts – Follow reputable analysts (e.g.,ESPN,The Athletic) for the latest No. 7 mock scenarios.
- Track combine results – Performance metrics from the 2026 NFL Combine (40‑yd dash, bench press, shuttle) will heavily influence the final decision.
- Engage on social media – Use hashtags #CommandersDraft, #No7Pick, and #2026NFLDraft to join the conversation and spot emerging consensus among experts.
Key takeaways
- the Christmas‑Day loss was the decisive factor that secured Washington the No. 7 slot, positioning the franchise for a pivotal roster upgrade.
- Multiple high‑impact prospects are projected to be available, giving the Commanders flexibility to address quarterback, defense, or trade value.
- Strategic use of the pick-weather selecting a generational talent or leveraging it in a trade-will shape the Commanders’ competitive window from 2026 onward.
