The Washington Commanders still haven’t settled the wide receiver spot opposite Terry McLaurin, and ESPN’s Jordan Reid thinks they may attack that problem early in the 2027 NFL Draft.
In Reid’s preseason mock, Washington is projected to use the No. 10 overall pick on Indiana wideout Charlie Becker, a move meant to give Jayden Daniels another reliable target on the outside. Reid wrote: "10.
Washington Commanders. Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana," Reid predicts.
"There's still a need for help opposite Terry McLaurin, and the 6-foot-4, 207-pound Becker was the player I enjoyed studying the most this offseason."
The Commanders have already tried to patch the WR2 role with Deebo Samuel last season and Stefon Diggs this year, but that answer may not hold long term. Diggs is only on a one-year rental, and Washington still has questions at tight end and running back, too.
Becker would bring production to the table. Last season, he posted 34 catches for 679 yards and four touchdowns while helping Indiana win the National Championship. His postseason run included two catches for 51 yards and a touchdown in the College Football Quarterfinal, two grabs for 48 yards and a score in the CFP semifinal, and four catches for 65 yards in the Championship.
He’s only got one season in 2025 under his belt, but the junior could be in line for an even bigger 2026 after Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. moved on to the NFL.
For Washington, the appeal is obvious: pair Becker with McLaurin and suddenly Daniels would have the kind of top-two receiving setup that the best teams in the league lean on.
In Other News...
Commanders Suddenly Have A Tackle Depth Concern Before Week 1
The Commanders have already made a quiet change to their tackle room before Week 1, moving on from Foster Sarell just months after signing him in March as a depth option. Sarell had arrived from the Chargers with limited NFL playing time and was buried low on Washingtons depth chart, but his departure still trims an already thin group at one of the most important spots on the field.
Now Washington is left with only two tackles behind Brandon Coleman and right tackle Josh Conerly Jr. on the roster, a setup that adds a little extra pressure as the season opener approaches. It is the kind of roster detail that can disappear in the shuffle of final cuts, but for a team trying to protect its quarterbacks and settle the line, the lack of experienced depth is hard to ignore. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Big D-Line Decision To Make
Johnny Newtons torn pectoral changed the Commanders defensive front almost overnight, and it has pushed the team into a search it probably would rather not be making this early. Newton was expected to be part of the rotation, but now Washington has to weigh whether it can absorb the loss internally or whether it needs to look beyond its current room for help.
Gervon Dexter Sr. has surfaced as one name worth watching because Chicago is reportedly engaged in trade talks involving the defensive tackle, and his profile fits the kind of opening Washington suddenly has. He started every game last season and is in the final year of his rookie deal, which makes him an intriguing possibility if the Commanders decide they need a more immediate answer, though no trade involving Washington has been confirmed. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Edge Depth Takes Another Hit As Drake Jackson Hits Setback
The Commanders edge-rush depth took another turn before final roster cuts when Washington placed Drake Jackson on injured reserve. The move comes with the exact injury undisclosed, but it adds another chapter to a career that has already been interrupted by health issues and limited opportunities to get on the field.
Jackson had been viewed as a long shot to survive the roster trim to 53 players, so this setback further clouds his place in Washingtons plans. For a team still sorting out its pass-rush mix, the focus now shifts to who can provide reliable depth on the edge while Jacksons situation remains uncertain. [Read more 🡒]
