The Commanders have four picks over the last four rounds: a fifth-rounder (No. 147), two sixths (187 and 209) and a seventh (223).
Described by Brugler as “a low-calorie De’Von Achane,” Claiborne is a smaller back at 5-10, 188 pounds, but he has exceptional speed (4.37 40) and burst, and was a dual threat at Wake Forest. His play needs refinement, but his focus should be on ball security; he lost three fumbles and, according to PFF, had six drops last season.
A two-year starter who served as Indiana’s Mike linebacker after transferring from James Madison, Fisher is athletic and tough and could be a “low-end” starter like Drue Tranquill of the Kansas City Chiefs, according to Brugler. Fisher totaled 215 tackles as a Hoosier and was the first linebacker in program history to earn All-American honors (he did it in 2024 and ’25).
Gumbs is tenacious against the run, but needs refinement as a pass rusher. His work ethic will help him get there, though; he began his college career as a walk-on receiver at Northern Illinois, then switched to edge rusher after his first two years.
Benny has the size, length (81 5/8-inch wingspan) and athleticism to intrigue, but he also has a lengthy injury history.
Wright started three years at Stanford and checks a lot of boxes: he has the versatility to play inside and outside, is a tough tackler and was a team captain with a lauded work ethic. He also models his game after Byron Murphy, whom new Commanders defensive coordinator Daronte Jones helped develop in Minnesota.
Thomas plays fast and physical (at times getting him into trouble). He has only one year of starting experience at a Power 4 program — he began his career at Middle Tennessee State — but that one season was enough to garner attention from NFL scouts. Thomas had five picks, 11 passes defended, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles for the Hurricanes last year.
Payne was a three-and-a-half-year starter with experience at free safety, strong safety and nickel at Kansas State. He has good size (6-3, 206) and length (80 3/4-inch wingspan) with 4.4 speed to boot.
Hall of Famers by what round they were drafted:1st round – 1372nd round – 383rd round – 284th round – 125th round – 86th round – 47th round – 108th round & later – 28Undrafted – 22
NFL Hall of Famers by division. pic.twitter.com/Bx0h71rvPW
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) April 21, 2026
The opinions expressed in this article are based solely on Logan Paulsen’s opinions and expertise as a draft analyst and do not reflect those of the Commanders’ front office.
We’re inching closer to the NFL Draft, and many have finalized their draft boards to rank the top prospects available. However, finding the best players to add to a team’s roster is more complicated than that.
Earlier this week, Washington Commanders analyst Logan Paulsen provided his top 100 players. Today, he’s going further with his evaluation by breaking down where players land in his tier list. Let’s get to it.
Today, two days prior to the draft, Washington has 6 selections in the 7-round draft, which starts Thursday.
As has been true every year, each entrant in Draft Pick 3 is allowed to nominate three players for each draft pick that the team has at the moment.
One change this year is that I have added a BONUS pick that anticipates the possibility of a 2nd- or 4th-round pick acquired by trade. Each entrant will be able to nominate 3 additional players in each of those rounds (6 in total) who will come into play if the Commanders pick in either of those rounds by trading up or down. Your bonus pick players will only be considered if the Commanders a pick in the relevant round.
That means that each entrant can identify up to 24 players that he or she thinks might be drafted by the Commanders next week — your own “little board” in effect. If any player on your list gets drafted by the Commanders in the 2026 draft, you get points. The entrant with the most points wins. Simple!
April 21: The Commanders have new coordinators in Daronte Jones on defense and David Blough on offense and both have changed the schemes Washington had run the past two years.
But general manager Adam Peters said the players they won’t be trying to fit square pegs into round holes when they draft at 7. It’s what excites them about this draft.