2026 Road to the Draft – Part 4
February 6, 2026
By Noonefromtampa
Roster – Coaching Staff Updates
The Commanders hired Daronte Jones as defensive coordinator from the Vikings where he was the defensive pass game coordinator and defensive back position coach. He served on defensive staffs under Vance Joseph, Marvin Lewis and Brian Flores. Jones has been exposed to some of the better defensive minds of the NFL in his career. His hiring was better received than the hiring of David Blough as offensive coordinator.
Draft Data
The number of mocks being tracked rose 13 to 107 in week 4. Sixty percent of pick data occurred in last two weeks. The distribution by position is:
| Position | Picked Count | Picked % | Last Week % | % Change |
| Edge | 57 | 53.27% | 52.13% | 1.14% |
| S | 25 | 23.36% | 26.60% | -3.23% |
| LB | 10 | 9.35% | 7.45% | 1.90% |
| WR | 9 | 8.41% | 8.51% | -0.10% |
| RB | 4 | 3.74% | 3.19% | 0.55% |
| DL | 2 | 1.87% | 2.13% | -0.26% |
| CB | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| OT | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| QB | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| IOL | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| TE | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Grand Total | 107 | 100% |
The edge rusher and linebacker position groups were up this week while safety continued its downward trend.
Washington holds the 7th pick in the first round. The players mocked to Washington with that pick are:
| Player | Position | School | Picked Count | Picked % |
| David Bailey | Edge | Texas Tech | 31 | 28.97% |
| Caleb Downs | S | Ohio State | 25 | 23.36% |
| Rueben Bain | Edge | Miami | 22 | 20.56% |
| Arvell Reese | LB | Ohio State | 8 | 7.48% |
| Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State | 5 | 4.67% |
| Jeremiyah Love | RB | Notre Dame | 4 | 3.74% |
| Carnell Tate | WR | Ohio State | 4 | 3.74% |
| Keldric Faulk | Edge | Auburn | 3 | 2.80% |
| Sonny Styles | LB | Ohio State | 2 | 1.87% |
| Peter Woods | DL | Clemson | 2 | 1.87% |
| Cashius Howell | Edge | Texas A&M | 1 | 0.93% |
| Grand Total | 107 | 100.00% |
A new player, David Bailey, is at top of the list, replacing Caleb Downs as the player most mocked to the Commanders.
Draft Thoughts
Three offensive players show up in the mock draft list: wide receivers Tyson and Tate, as well as running back Love.
Washington needs another good receiver to complement Terry McLaurin. Deebo Samuel may not return so adding another proven, quality pass catcher through free agency or the draft is likely to happen.
The two best receivers in the draft are Tyson and Tate.
Tyson is 6’2” and 200 lbs, and had 61 receptions for 711 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2025.
Jordyn Tyson in two seasons at Arizona State:
136 receptions
1,812 receiving yards
19 TDsHas a chance to be the first Sun Devil drafted in the top 10 since Terrell Suggs in 2003. pic.twitter.com/TH7m0iOTPj
— Justin LaCertosa (@LaCertosaSports) December 19, 2025
Tate, 6’3” and 195 lbs, had 51 receptions for 875 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2025.
Every 15+ yard reception from #OhioState WR Carnell Tate in 2025 #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/VosA8q0cug
— Ray G (@RayGQue) January 27, 2026
Love is 6’0” and 214 lbs, and had 199 carries for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025.
Jeremiyah Love | RB |6'0" 214LBS
Explosive, versatile three-down weapon with elite speed, patience, agility and strong receiving ability. Highly productive and reliable, NFL-ready impact RB1, though his lean frame and pass protection need refinement.#ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/CIltrckmaf
— Price Carter (@priceacarter) December 9, 2025
Any of these three players would be a good addition to the Washington roster and help out the team’s young quarterback, Jayden Daniels.
Comment: The defensive coordinator addition brings valuable NFL experience. I use openclaw to analyze how coaching changes impact player development, especially with edge rushers leading mock drafts at 53%.