Commanders Reportedly Seeking Trade Down in 2026 NFL Draft

Washington GM Adam Peters hopes to add more picks after trading for Laremy Tunsil last year.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:54am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting an abstract football scene or NFL draft stage, with sharp geometric shapes in muted earth tones and pops of burgundy and navy, conveying the complex decision-making process facing the Commanders' front office.As the Commanders weigh trading down in the 2026 NFL Draft, the team must balance accumulating more picks with securing an impact talent.Washington Today

The Washington Commanders are reportedly one of five teams in the top 10 of the 2026 NFL Draft looking to trade down and accumulate more draft capital. General manager Adam Peters would like to add picks after trading away their second and fourth-round selections last year to acquire left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who has since signed a lucrative extension.

Why it matters

The Commanders are in a tricky position, needing to find a game-changing talent in this draft but also wanting to add more picks. Trading down could allow them to still land a top prospect while picking up additional selections, but it may be difficult given the lack of quarterback depth in this class and the top talents playing non-premium positions.

The details

According to reports, the Commanders, Cardinals, Titans, Giants, and Browns are all looking to trade down from their current top-10 spots. However, finding trade partners may prove challenging, as the Cowboys are one of the teams rumored to be interested in moving up, but division rivals like the Giants and Commanders may be less inclined to strike a deal. The Commanders currently hold the 7th overall pick and could potentially move down to 16th in a trade with the Jets, picking up additional second and fourth-round selections in the process.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for next week.
  • The Commanders traded away their 2nd and 4th round picks last year to acquire left tackle Laremy Tunsil.

The players

Adam Peters

The general manager of the Washington Commanders who is reportedly looking to trade down in the 2026 NFL Draft to acquire more picks.

Laremy Tunsil

The left tackle for the Washington Commanders who the team traded for last year, signing him to a lucrative extension that makes him the NFL's highest-paid offensive tackle.

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What they’re saying

“Count the Cardinals, Titans, Giants, Browns and Commanders among those already looking at trying to drop down in the order to accumulate capital.”

— Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated Reporter

What’s next

The Commanders will continue exploring trade-down options leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft next week, hoping to add more picks while still landing an impact player at 7th overall or in a trade-down scenario.

The takeaway

The Commanders face a challenging decision - stick at 7th overall and select a top prospect, or trade down and accumulate more draft capital. Their willingness to explore a trade-down highlights the team's desire to build roster depth, but they'll need to carefully weigh the pros and cons to ensure they don't miss out on a game-changing talent in this year's draft.