The Washington Commanders finally put an end to their eight-game slide, and while the 29-21 win over the New York Giants might not mean much in the standings, it definitely shook up the 2026 NFL Draft picture.
Heading into Week 15, Washington was sitting in line for the No. 6 overall pick. But after Sunday’s win, they’ve slid down to No. 8 with a 4-10 record. That’s the price of winning late in a lost season - a little pride, a little momentum, and a slightly lower draft slot.
The Giants, meanwhile, stay locked in at the bottom of the league at 2-12, clinging to the top pick for at least another week. The Raiders and Titans, also at 2-12, are right there in the mix for that No. 1 spot, with the Browns, Jets, and Cardinals all sitting at 3-11. It’s a crowded basement, and every game down the stretch could shift the draft order.
For Washington, the final three games don’t offer much breathing room. They’ll face the Eagles twice and the Cowboys on Christmas Day - a brutal closing stretch against two playoff-caliber teams.
If they somehow run the table and finish 7-10, they could land closer to the middle of the first round. But if they lose out and close at 4-13, a top-10 pick is nearly a lock.
Updated 2026 NFL Draft Order (Top 10): 1.
New York Giants (2-12)
2.
Las Vegas Raiders (2-12)
3.
Tennessee Titans (2-12)
4.
Cleveland Browns (3-11)
5.
New York Jets (3-11)
6.
Arizona Cardinals (3-11)
7.
New Orleans Saints (4-10)
8.
Washington Commanders (4-10)
9.
Cincinnati Bengals (4-10)
10.
Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) (5-9)
The rest of the board is just as fluid, but for Washington, the focus is on how they can maximize value with what they’ve got. Right now, they hold six picks in the 2026 draft, with a possible compensatory sixth-rounder on the way. However, their second- and fourth-round picks are already gone - shipped to Houston in the trade for left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
It’s a move that made sense in the moment. Coming off a 12-5 season and an NFC Championship appearance, Washington was in win-now mode. But with the team now sitting at 4-10, those picks are looking a lot more valuable in hindsight - and a lot more favorable for the Texans.
Still, there’s room to maneuver. Washington could explore trade-down scenarios in the first round to recoup some of that lost draft capital. Player trades are also on the table, either before or during the draft, depending on how the front office wants to reshape the roster.
Washington Commanders 2026 Draft Picks (as of now):
- Round 1
- Round 2 - Traded to Houston Texans (Laremy Tunsil)
- Round 3
- Round 4 - Traded to Houston Texans (Laremy Tunsil)
- Round 5
- Round 6
- Round 7
- Potential compensatory pick (Round 6)
There’s still a lot of football left to play - and a lot that can change - but Washington’s front office is already staring down some tough draft-day decisions. The margin for error is slim, and with fewer picks to work with, every move will count.