Andrew Buller-Russ
Entering the 2026 NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders are not rich in draft compensation. In fact, they have just six selections total throughout the three-day event taking place in Pittsburgh this year. However, while the Commanders may not have many selections, they do have a pretty good one, with the seventh overall pick in the first round.
The Commanders have spent a large portion of free agency addressing various concerns on defense. That effort could continue at the top of the NFL draft, where Washington will be able to add a blue-chip talent to the team. Or, maybe they go in a different direction, to make an already dangerous offense even more potent.
Recently, The Athletic‘s Commanders insider Nicki Jhabvala suggested that if star Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is still available when Washington is on the clock at 7, that Washington would “have no reason to hesitate in grabbing him.”
“At running back, Washington signed three veterans — Rachaad White, Jerome Ford and Jeremy McNichols — to one-year deals to fill out the room and add experience alongside Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt. But if Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love is available at No. 7, the room is built such that Washington would have no reason to hesitate in grabbing him to add an explosive and dynamic threat on offense.”
The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala on Commanders RB room
We can’t argue otherwise. Love, who clocked a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, has the ceiling to be one of the very best players in the draft class. He’s someone who can transcend an offense from the moment he takes the field as a rookie.
Combining one of the NFL’s best overall weapons in dual-threat QB Jayden Daniels with an elite rusher who also has extreme YAC abilities as a pass-catcher like Love should have defenses shaking in their boots. Yet, most projections have Love being off the board before the Commanders are on the clock, and it’s not like they have the type of extra draft capital to go get him if Love is the top target in D.C.
But hey, it’s fun to dream, right? Perhaps there is a scenario where the unexpected happens. We see it take place every year, where a top prospect either falls or teams just make surprise decisions near the top of the draft. Anything is possible, perhaps even Love winding up in a Commanders uniform in late April.
Related: 2026 NFL Mock Draft After First Wave of Free Agency
