When you only have six picks in the NFL Draft, every selection matters—especially the ones that come with a surprise factor. That's exactly what the Washington Commanders delivered in the 2026 draft, according to CBS Sports analyst Ryan Wilson.
The Commanders entered the draft with limited capital after trading their second- and fourth-round picks last March for left tackle Laremy Tunsil. That move paid off handsomely: Tunsil earned a record-setting extension after an outstanding 2025 season, making the trade look like a masterstroke.
On draft day, Washington stayed put and selected six players, headlined by Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 7 overall. The team didn't pick again until the third round, but analysts still graded the class highly. Wilson gave Washington a B+, with special praise for Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams at pick No. 71—a player he believes could quickly become a favorite target for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
But here's where things get interesting. Wilson's pick for best value? Seventh-round quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis out of Rutgers.
"I have to mention Athan Kaliakmanis here only because I brought him on the Cover 3 podcast ahead of the draft as an off-the-radar QB who could get drafted. And he did. Ahead of Garrett Nussmeier," Wilson explained. "He was a fun watch for Rutgers last season, where he was asked to do a lot. He'll have a chance to make the roster in Washington, though if he sees the field next season, that means something has probably gone horribly wrong."
Some fans have questioned the pick, but consider this: it's a seventh-round selection—essentially a lottery ticket. Kaliakmanis brings real experience, having started 42 games in the Big Ten between Minnesota and Rutgers. That kind of seasoning is rare for a late-round quarterback.
There's also a subtle layer here: this looks like a "David Blough pick." The Commanders' first-year offensive coordinator, a former college and NFL quarterback himself, likely saw traits in Kaliakmanis that others missed. When a coach with Blough's background gets to weigh in on a late-round QB, it's worth paying attention.
For Commanders fans, the message is simple: don't sleep on the seventh round. In a draft class that already has plenty to like, Kaliakmanis might just be the hidden gem everyone's overlooking.