B+
Washington Commanders
The Commanders won the weekend at the trade table. Grade: B+.
by Maddmax ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 3 steals
· 4 reaches
The trade table was a mismatch, and the Commanders were on the right end of it, hauling in a fortune in surplus value. More right than wrong, and a B+ to match.
The tight end spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at. Landing Muhammad that late papers over a lot of smaller sins. Reaching for Huskey left real value on the table behind him.
The Tyrel Dodson pickup adds a known quantity to a class of unknowns.
All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but tight end.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 11th pick they get a No. 1 receiver at fair value. Exactly the need they had to hit.
Dillon Thieneman in the 43rd overall pick is a bargain the rest of the room will envy. A minor need, but a need all the same.
A reach on Connor Lew in the Round 3 slot; the board had better options right there. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
They stopped a slide they were happy to see, landing Malik Muhammad in pick 110. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
They paid up for Beau Stephens at No. 147 when waiting would have done the job. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
They paid a round early for Demond Claiborne in slot 151, more than the board wanted. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
They paid sticker price for Ephesians Prysock in Round 6, Pick 6, and that is fine. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Eric McAlister slid further than he should have, and pick No. 209 is lovely value for the wide receiver. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Jalen Huskey at No. 223 is the kind of overdraft that needs everything to break right. A want more than a need, though you can never have too many.