A-
Washington Commanders
Thieneman should have been long gone. The Commanders pounced, and earned a A-.
by Maddmax ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 3 steals
· 1 reaches
The trade table was a mismatch, and the Commanders were on the right end of it, hauling in a fortune in surplus value.
The Thieneman pick is the one they will point to when this weekend is judged. The tight end spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at.
The Whittington pick is the one the value grade keeps tripping over. The hoard sets up next April more than it helps this September.
In the end it comes back to Chris Brazzell II, and a haul good enough to build on right away.
Pick-by-Pick
In Round 1, Pick 29 they get a true top target. The biggest hole, addressed.
Fair-plus on Chris Johnson, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Taking Dillon Thieneman in the Round 2 slot is close to grand larceny; a safety that good had no business lasting this long. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.
A quiet steal in No. 71: Connor Lew for less than the market said. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Malik Benson in the 147th overall pick lands just on the right side of the ledger. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Taylen Green in pick No. 187 is fair value, right on his grade. The roster fit checks out.
They went early on Noah Whittington in pick No. 209, and the value did not follow. It fills a real need, too.
They let Keyshaun Elliott come to them and pounced at No. 223. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.