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The Washington Commanders head into the offseason needing major upgrades, specifically on defense. While the offense may need only a few tweaks here and there, specifically another top receiver to pair with Terry McLaurin, the defense could add as many as eight new starters.
That type of change may seem drastic, but if you've watched Washington play this season, it's on the table. Players like Bobby Wagner, Deatrich Wise, Jonathan Jones, Noah Igbinoghene, Eddie Goldman and Jacob Martin are on expiring contracts, while Marshon Lattimore will likely be cut. Fans should keep an eye on Daron Payne, too.
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General manager Adam Peters will likely be busy in free agency filling some of Washington's holes, allowing him to find the best available player at No. 7. Wide receiver, edge rusher, tight end and linebacker could be viewed as the Commanders' top needs. Needs shouldn't necessarily matter here. Washington should take the best available player, regardless of position (outside of quarterback).
One of the best players in the 2026 NFL draft, regardless of position, will be Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. He could be available for the Commanders, as safeties don't often go in the top 10.
In a new mock draft for CBS Sports, Ryan Wilson has the Commanders taking Downs.
Downs could be a Troy Polamalu-level talent in the NFL. He's only 5-foot-11, and he may not end up running a 4.35-second 40-yard dash, but I don't care. Not even a little bit. Both Kyle Hamilton and Brian Branch Jr. slipped on draft day because of mediocre 40 times. They're two of the best young defensive backs in football. Downs is a run-game enforcer and has the sideline-to-sideline juice, coupled with the short-area burst, to excel in pass coverage.
Read that again for a second: "run-game enforcer" with "sideline-to-sideline juice," and "short-area burst." Do you think Washington's defense could use all of those things?
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Mark it down. Downs will be a superstar. He could thrive in any era, but he's even more perfect in the current era. The speed and playmaking that Downs could bring to the Commanders could be game-changing in 2026. For Washington, it's about adding potentially elite players. Downs is an elite prospect with NFL bloodlines. Downs' father, Gary, is a former NFL running back, his brother, Josh, is a wide receiver for the Colts, and his uncle, Dre Bry, was an 11-year NFL veteran with 43 career interceptions.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders land Ohio State S Caleb Downs in new mock draft
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