Wishful thinking mock draft gives Commanders two first-round picks

[ASFN Admin]

What would be the ideal scenario for the Washington Commanders in the 2026 NFL Draft? Of course, coming away with multiple starters or a superstar player is always the most ideal situation. But without picks in the second and fourth rounds, Washington could look to add multiple picks by trading down in the first round.

General manager Adam Peters appeared to throw a bit of cold water on moving down in his pre-draft press conference last week. Peters didn't rule it out, but instead said he felt that the Commanders would more likely stay at No. 7 and pick.

Was Peters playing mind games? Or was he simply being honest, liking Washington's chances of landing a true difference-maker?

Maybe Peters is simply saying, "if you want our pick, but you better be prepared to blow us away."

That's quite possible. But what type of offer would that be?

In a new mock draft for CBS Sports, Carter Bahns provided a too-good-to-be-true scenario for Washington. In his mock, Bahns has the Commanders trading down to No. 12, with division rival Dallas, and also adding the No. 20 overall pick. That means Washington would have the No. 12 and 20 picks in the first round.

With the No. 12 pick, Bahns sends USC wide receiver Makai Lemon to the Commanders.

If Jayden Daniels is to find success in what the Commanders hope is a healthier 2026 season, the front office has to give him more weapons. Terry McLaurin is back as the bona fide No. 1 receiver, but the rest of the cupboard is quite bare. Adding the 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner to the group is about as exciting of a move as the Commanders could make with their first of two first-round picks (which they acquired from the Cowboys in our mock trade).

What's interesting here is that Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey, who is widely expected to be chosen among the top three picks, falls to Washington, and Peters trades out, allowing the Cowboys to land Bailey. If Bailey did fall, it's conceivable that Dallas would be desperate to move up and improve its pass rush.

Now, for the No. 20 overall pick, Washington selects Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy.

After taking a receiver with the first of the two picks they snagged from the Cowboys in our mock trade, the Commanders flip their focus to defense at No. 20. They selected a cornerback in the first two rounds of each of the last three drafts, and it would not be surprising to see that trend continue, especially if Jermod McCoy is still available. If he was coming off a healthy season, there is no chance Washington would be able to get him here. He will be more than a year and a half removed from his torn ACL at the start of the season, though, and has the makings of this class' No. 1 cornerback when at full strength.

McCoy is an interesting prospect. He did not play last season, and there are reportedly concerns about his knee heading into this week's draft. Make no mistake, if healthy, McCoy is a top-10 talent. If the Commanders were to come away with a starting wide receiver and cornerback, that would be a successful day of work for Washington.

In this hypothetical deal, the Commanders also had to give up No. 71 in the trade with the Cowboys, meaning they would not picks in either the second, third, or fourth rounds.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Wishful thinking mock draft brings good news

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