The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, some NFL teams hosted rookie minicamps this past weekend, and the Washington Commanders opted to host theirs this weekend, May 8 and May 9. During this time, draft picks, undrafted rookie free agents, and players trying to earn a spot on the team come to practice and learn the ins and outs of the NFL.
While we monitor what the Commanders do this week ahead of minicamp, let’s peek at something. ESPN’s Matt Miller ranked his Top 100 picks in the draft, and three of the Commanders’ choices made his list. Let’s take a look at the Commanders’ picks he chose, why he chose them, and our thoughts on all of it.
LB Sonny Styles – No. 12
Here’s what Miller had to say:
My final overall ranking: No. 5
Styles is a future star at middle linebacker and one of my favorite picks now that we know he’ll be working in Dan Quinn’s defense. Styles’ range and aggressive ability in the backfield should give him a chance to be the Defensive Rookie of the Year in Quinn’s scheme, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he becomes the “green dot” linebacker, calling plays early in his career. My predraft comp for Styles was Fred Warner, and if he hits that ceiling the Commanders’ defense could become one of the league’s best in a hurry.
To be fair, Styles would be successful in almost any NFL defensive scheme, but we all know how much DQ likes his linebackers. And the Fred Warner comparisons are real. Go watch the film from Styles’ senior season at Ohio State, his second year as a linebacker after transitioning from safety. He was the green dot at OSU and wore the coveted Block O for a reason. If he is half as successful in Washington as he was at Ohio State, the Commanders landed themselves a gem.
WR Antonio Williams – No. 62
As the 71st overall pick, this third-round wide receiver could be sneaky good. Miller says:
My final overall ranking: No. 65
It wouldn’t have been a surprise to see Washington draft a wide receiver in Round 1 — they might have if Tate were available. With no selection in Round 2, drafting a wideout in Round 3 became a must given Terry McLaurin’s age (31) and the lack of obvious options behind him. Williams is a silky-smooth route runner who can line up on the outside or in the slot. The Commanders might have found a future WR1 in Round 3.
The Commanders very well could have found a future WR1 in Round 3, but that doesn’t help them now. While Williams is a fantastic future pick, Adam Peters still has to find Terry McLaurin some support in 2026. This is likely where Brandon Aiyuk comes in, but until the San Francisco 49ers release him, the Commanders can’t do much. Williams is a great pick, deserving of a spot in Miller’s Top-100, but Peters still has work to do to take the pressure off McLaurin this season.
RB Kaytron Allen – No. 96
Allen was a sixth-round pick, No. 187 overall, and he will push the running backs on this roster to improve. Miller says:
My final overall ranking: No. 123
Rachaad White, Jerome Ford and Jacory Croskey-Merritt make up Washington’s backfield, meaning Allen will have a very good shot at making the roster as a sixth-round pick and carving out an immediate role. Coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at Penn State, Allen seemed to get better as a blocker last season, too, which should add to his value.
Wild Bill was a sixth-round draft pick in 2025, and he managed to hold down the fort amid injuries last season. With the addition of Allen to an already adjusted running backs room, the Commanders look to have a committee for their ground game in 2026. This isn’t a bad thing, unless you end up with one of them on your fantasy football roster. In fact, with four guys who are completely capable of rushing the ball, and all of whom have different running styles and talents, plus Jayden Daniels’s running ability, the Commanders’ ground game could be formidable in 2026.
The bottom line is that Adam Peters drafted well with the picks he had. Half of his picks ended up on Matt Miller’s Top-100, and that’s saying something. Now it’s up to Dan Quinn and his new coordinators to put together a functional roster that will be successful into the postseason.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: 3 players land on ESPN top 100 NFL draft picks