The Washington Commanders have one selection in the first 70 picks of the upcoming NFL draft, so it is imperative they make it count.
Washington’s precise pick at No. 7 overall will depend on several factors, most importantly which players remain available after the first six selections. But the quality options should be several and span multiple positions of need for the Commanders, including across all three levels of the defense at edge-rusher, linebacker and cornerback.
On Monday, April 13 the team met with defensive back Mansoor Delane out of LSU, who scouts widely regard as the top cornerback talent in the 2026 class.
“#LSU CB Mansoor Delane, who could be the top CB taken, has the #Bengals, #Ravens and #Commanders as his final three visits, sources say,” Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported via X. “That’s 10 or so [visits] for Delane.”
Commanders May Pass Over LSU Cornerback Mansoor Delane for Higher-Ranked Prospect With No. 7 Overall Pick
GettyCornerback Mansoor Delane of the LSU Tigers.
Mock draft projections stretching back to mid-winter have Delane coming off the board as early as the top five and as late as the middle of the first round.
Peter Schrager of ESPN predicted last week that Delane will land with the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 10 overall.
“Delane allowed a low 31.3 passer rating when targeted last season and is viewed as the top corner in this class,” Schrager wrote. “The Bengals need a true shutdown guy on the outside.”
The Commanders also need to add talent in the secondary, where none of their cornerbacks or safeties who saw enough snaps to qualify in 2025 ranked higher than 50th at their respective positions (112 cornerbacks, 91 safeties), per Pro Football Focus.
Washington released four-time Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore earlier this offseason with one year remaining on his deal in order to save $18.5 million against the 2026 salary cap, which only exacerbated the deficiency within the position group.
That said, the Commanders might find better value with a higher-ranked prospect at No. 7 if a player like Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles or Miami pass-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. falls to them in that spot. Running back Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame may also entice Washington if he remains available once the Commanders go on the clock.
Mansoor Delane Has Elite NFL Potential Heading Into Draft
GettyCornerback Mansoor Delane of the LSU Tigers.
Delane will play the upcoming campaign at 22 years old, turning 23 in mid-December.
He appeared in a total of 44 games across four seasons in college, including three at Virginia Tech and the 2025 campaign at LSU. Delane tallied 191 tackles, including seven tackles for loss, 27 pass breakups, eight interceptions and four forced fumbles over that span. He also earned All-American honors with the Tigers last year.
Lance Zierlein of NFL Network compared Delane to cornerback Quinyon Mitchell of the Philadelphia Eagles, who finished second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2024 and earned Pro Bowl honors along with first-team All-Pro honors last season.
“[Delane] excels in press coverage, altering release timing with punches and slides. Smooth hips and efficient footwork keep him connected in man coverage, while his processing allows for quick transitions in off-man and short zone looks,” Zierlein wrote. “He played through a core muscle injury for much of the 2025 season and still performed at an elite level.”
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