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Five 2027 Draft Prospects Who Fill Washington Commanders Needs
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- Five 2027 Draft Prospects Who Fill Washington Commanders Needs
(Scott Wachter-Imagn Images)
The Washington Commanders are set to return to action for the first of two primetime games this weekend with a chance for a win to drastically alter the outlook of the rest of the season. Yet the Commanders are currently in position to land the fourth overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, what would mark the second time in four seasons the team has drafted inside the top five. Yet with roster holes already glaring midway through the 2026 season, who are five prospects who can address key needs in 2027?
Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
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Washington's secondary has given up the fourth-most yards and touchdowns through six games in 2026. Mike Sainristil has been a liability at corner, giving up multiple big plays that forced him out of the starting lineup. Trey Amos recently returned from injury, and Amik Robertson has been a hit after signing a two-year deal over the offseason. Moore is considered the top cornerback prospect in 2027 after being named an All-American as a sophomore, when he picked five passes. He hasn't recorded any interceptions in 2026, but that may be because quarterbacks haven't wanted to test him. If he is on the board when Washington selects, it might be hard to pass him up.
Will Echoles, DT, Ole Miss
Daron Payne is a free agent after the season, and his comments made it unclear if he returns to Washington in 2027. If Payne does sign somewhere else, Echoles could be the man to replace him. After serving as a reserve lineman during his freshman year, he moved into the starting lineup last year and dominated. Echoles was named a First-Team All-SEC, helping Ole Miss get to the College Football Playoff semifinal. He recorded 68 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, and five passes defended. Through six games in 2026, Echoles is second on the team with four tackles for loss and tied for third with 1.5 sacks. With Payne's expiring contract plus Jer'Zhan Newton and Javon Newton up after the 2027 season, don't be surprised if Washington plans to bring in some younger talent on the defensive line during the draft.
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
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Wide receiver might be the biggest need next offseason. With Terry McLaurin suffering a season-ending torn patellar tendon against the 49ers and Stefon Diggs a free agent, Washington has to bring in more talent at the position. Smith is not only the top receiver in the 2027 draft class, but he might also be the top prospect overall. Smith is tied for first in catches and second in receiving yards across all of division 1-A football. He recorded 1,000 yards in both 2024 and 2025 and has totaled 39 receiving touchdowns in his career at Ohio State. Smith has been named the Big Ten Receiver of the Year twice, a First-Team All-Big Ten player twice, and an Unanimous All-American in 2025. He runs great routes, can make almost any catch, is a threat in the red zone, and has a combination of size and speed that NFL teams dream of. The question is, will the Commanders have a chance to draft him? Depending on Washington's draft placement and the quarterback needs of teams ahead of him, there is a shot that Smith could fall into the Commanders' hands.
Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana
If Smith is gone by the time Washington makes its selection, two receivers are right now battling for the second spot. Becker is one of them, as Indiana's top target who has done a terrific job in replacing two receivers drafted in 2025, Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. He has already surpassed his receiving totals from 2025 and is eighth across all of Division 1 football with 694 receiving yards and tied for fifth in touchdowns. Listed at 6-foot-4, 208 pounds, Becker has the size of a physical receiver and speed that might be on par with Smith. While Smith is the cream of the crop in this draft class, Becker is still a nice piece to add to anyone's receiving corps.
Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
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Coleman is the other receiver who is vying for the number two receiver spot in the 2027 draft. A transfer from Auburn, he hasn't put up the stats of Smith or Becker so far, but that's got more to do with the Longhorns struggles on offense than anything else. Coleman is still tied for the SEC lead in touchdown receptions with six, and has 16.8 yards per catch. His traits are right there with Smith and Becker, though, standing at 6-foot-3, 197 pounds, with speed to match it. He has also displayed strong hands and an impressive catch radius. The biggest thing for him is the production going into the latter half of the season. But with all the traits that teams look for in receivers, it won't be a shock if his name is called early in 2027.
