B-
Washington Commanders
A solid, sensible weekend for the Commanders: B-.
by gormenghast20 ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 6 picks
· 2 steals
· 3 reaches
Call it a hunch or call it a gamble, but the Commanders spent slot 223 on Kamran James, a name most had 126 spots down the list.
They banked enough surplus on Bernard to cover a lot of smaller sins. The tight end spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at. The roster is better shaped than it was, with wide receiver chief among the fixes.
In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the tight end spot they never got to.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 7th pick they get a lockdown presence outside, even if it was a touch early. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
They stopped a slide they were happy to see, landing Jake Slaughter in the 71st overall pick. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Steal is underselling it; Germie Bernard at the Round 5 slot is a heist with the alarm still ringing. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
They paid a round early for VJ Payne in Round 6, Pick 6, more than the board wanted. It adds depth where they could use a little.
By-the-book stuff, Sawyer Robertson at pick No. 209 squarely in line with his ranking. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
A big swing on Kamran James at No. 223, well ahead of any board in the building. A need, and now a little less of one.