The Washington Commanders didn’t just lose on Sunday-they got shut out, 31-0, by the Minnesota Vikings in a game that underscored just how far this roster still has to go. But if there’s a silver lining for Washington fans, it’s this: the loss nudged the Commanders even closer to a prime spot in the 2026 NFL Draft. And with a franchise in desperate need of an influx of young, explosive talent, that’s not nothing.
Right now, Washington sits at No. 6 in the projected draft order. But thanks to a few key results around the league, they’re inching closer to the top.
The Tennessee Titans, who previously held the No. 1 spot, knocked off the Cleveland Browns, which dropped them to No. 3.
That win vaulted the New York Giants into the top slot, with the Las Vegas Raiders sliding into No. 2.
And here’s where it gets interesting: Washington’s next opponent? The Giants.
Yes, the same Giants they beat 21-6 back in Week 1. But that feels like a lifetime ago.
Since then, the Giants have dropped seven straight, but they’re playing with a renewed edge. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has brought some juice to the offense, and while wins have been elusive, New York looks like a team that could steal one down the stretch-and maybe as soon as next week.
That’s part of the broader picture here. The teams ahead of Washington in the draft order?
They’re showing signs of life. The Raiders and Giants aren’t stacking wins, but they’re scrapping.
The Titans and Browns are battling. Even the Jets and Saints have started to show some late-season fight.
Meanwhile, the Commanders have looked flat. Not just in the loss column, but in the way they’re losing-lackluster play, little spark, and a team that seems to be regressing rather than building.
That’s what makes their draft positioning so important. This isn’t just about picking high for the sake of it-it’s about hitting the reset button with a blue-chip talent who can help redefine the direction of the franchise. And while the No. 1 overall pick is still a long shot-Washington currently has just a 2% chance of landing it-they’ve got a 39% shot at a top-5 pick and a near-lock (97%) to end up inside the top 10.
So yes, there’s a chance. And with the way things are trending, it might be the best thing Commanders fans can hold onto right now.
Because if this team is going to turn the corner, it’s going to need more than just effort-it’s going to need difference-makers. And those are found at the top of the draft.