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Nov 1, 2025; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Louisville Cardinals defensive lineman Rene Konga (90) tackles Virginia Tech Hokies running back Terion Stewart (8) during the second quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-Imagn Images | Brian Bishop-Imagn Images Commanders links
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Commanders Roundtable
Is Mansoor Delane the Shutdown Corner the Washington Commanders Have Been Missing?
Height/Weight: 5’11 ¾ / 187 lbs
Senior Stats: 11 games; Total Tackles: 45 tackles, 2 INTS; 13 Pass Defended; 11 Pass Break-Ups
Color Context: In 358 pass coverage snaps at LSU, Delane allowed only 13 receptions all season. He finished with an elite 90.5 overall defensive grade (3rd in the FBS) and surrendered a staggering 31.3 passer rating when targeted per PFF.
It wouldn’t be far-fetched to peg Delane as the Commanders’ top cornerback as soon as he joins the roster. While officially just under 6’0″, he offers decent enough size and projects as a boundary corner capable of starting day one. In a division with CeeDee Lamb, DeVonta Smith, and Malik Nabers, Delane would be a formidable opponent and match the blue-chip skillset that each of these receivers offer. His speed, movement skills, and fiery demeanor are apparent on film, and he could truly be an “eraser” in Washington.
Draft Projection: Projected top-10 pick (CB1)
A to Z Sports
The Commanders should draft Center Jager Burton in the fifth round
The Commanders are going into the NFL Draft with Nick Allegretti as the starting center, and there’s a high chance they’ll add his competition with one of their six picks. There aren’t many centers in the NFL Draft worth taking with the No. 71 overall pick, so I’m looking at their fifth-round pick at No. 147 overall as the landing spot for a center.
Kentucky center Jager Burton is my choice, and he’s been a fast riser throughout the draft process after showing off his skills at the NFL Scouting Combine. Burton ran a 4.94 40-yard dash at 6-4, 312 pounds, and finished with a 9.87 Relative Athletic Score, which the Commanders always love.
The Commanders need a center who can pass protect, but also move in space, which he can do after a 4.52 shuttle. Offensive coordinator David Blough’s offense will use a lot of outside zone plays and needs a center who can pull across and get to the second level in the run game.
Burton brings a ton of experience with over 2,600 snaps, and he can also play at left guard, which could use an upgrade in the run game. He only allowed 12 pressures and not a single sack in 2025, and flashed his ability to block on the move. Burton is the perfect fit for what Blough wants at center, and he could be a day three selection who turns into a legit starter for the Commanders.
Riggo’s Rag
WR Zachariah Branch should be on the Commanders’ radar after superb pro day
Zachariah Branch could be a possible option to consider in the third round if he makes it that far.
Branch made his transfer to Georgia count, bringing in 81 receptions for 811 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He’s been a fast riser throughout the pre-draft assessment phase, and the wideout put the exclamation point on his credentials at the next level with a fantastic showcase at the Bulldogs’ recent pro day.
One thing that stood out during drills was Branch’s movement. Everything is aligned; he’s explosive out of his cuts, and his change of direction is compact, with the fluidity to consistently generate separation.
At 5-foot-9, Branch’s size may be an issue. But if he sticks to the slot and finds a scheme that can maximize the clear strengths he brings to the table, he’s got a good chance.
If Aiyuk joins, he’ll probably be the X receiver opposite McLaurin. It doesn’t seem likely that Deebo Samuel Sr. will be back in free agency. Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane can take over slot responsibilities, but Branch could be an upgrade on both. And if the Commanders get the chance to take him at No. 71 overall, this could be an absolute steal.
Commanders Wire
Commanders showing interest in freakishly athletic defensive tackle
[A]ccording to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic, the Commanders recently met with Louisville defensive tackle Rene Konga. Specifically, Konga met with Washington’s defensive line coaches, Eric Henderson and Darryl Tapp.
Who is Konga?
Konga is a 6-foot-3, 299-pound Canadian who spent four seasons at Rutgers before transferring to Louisville in 2024. In two years for the Cardinals, Konga played in 23 games and finished his career as a second-team All-ACC selection. He played in 44 career games, recording 63 tackles, including 11 for loss and five sacks.
Konga is a rare athlete.
Those are ridiculous numbers for his size. He has some interesting tape, too.
ESPN
Commanders confident in LB core if vet Bobby Wagner leaves
The Washington Commanders haven’t ruled out a return by veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner — but they also have moved forward with players at his position.
“We would never shut the door on him,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn said. “We do feel like there’s some players that are about to take off at [his] position.”
Quinn and general manager Adam Peters spoke with Wagner before free agency to let him know of their plans — for both him and the linebacker position.
Wagner has said multiple times that he’d like to continue playing.
Quinn said. “I wanted to make sure I said how important he was to me to come here together, like what standards could look like. And then yes, like what Adam said to him and some others, ‘We’re going to leave the door open, and we’ll see what that looks like over the time ahead.'”
Washington expressed the same sentiment to tight end Zach Ertz, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in December.
Podcasts & videos
Post-Signing 1-on-1: WR Treylon Burks | Free Agency Friday x Next Man Up | Washington Commanders
NFC East links
Blogging the Boys
5 ‘buyer beware’ prospects in the 1st round
Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
At just 20 years old, Faulk is one of the more intriguing edge prospects in the 2026 draft class. From a height, weight, length, and athleticism standpoint he checks all of the boxes teams look for in a prototypical edge prospect. Sadly though, the production didn’t match the intangibles during his time in Auburn. That hasn’t stopped him from being ranked as a first-round prospect though. He’s a buyer beware prospect because his impressive athletic traits may never equate to production at the next level, something Dallas has to consider.
Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami
From a talent and production standpoint, Mesidor is without a doubt one of the best edge rushers in the 2026 draft class. He has the talent and skill set to be a plug-and-play starter as a rookie, but despite that he’s still very much a buyer-beware prospect. Not only is he one of the older (25) players getting first-round consideration, but he also has a well documented injury history with his feet. Those are some serious concerns the Cowboys need to take into consideration, but then the end, the talent may outweigh those red flags.
Big Blue View
Fans believe the offensive line is still the Giants’ biggest need heading into the 2026 NFL Draft
We decided to take a moment to step back and ask fans what position team’s biggest need is as we head towards the draft. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it will — or should be — the team’s first pick, simply what fans feel the biggest need is.
We’ll ask you who you think the Giants should draft at fifth overall as we get closer to the draft (right now LB Sonny Styles is the betting favorite at +210 per FanDuel) but it’s better to start with the big picture.
It isn’t surprising that Giants fans feel the interior offensive line is the team’s biggest need, considering they don’t have a clear starter at right guard. Both Evan Neal and Joshua Ezeudu will (apparently) compete for that spot, and while they showed promise as guards last summer, it was a small sample size.
Ezeudu lost the 2025 season to a calf injury while Neal was exiled to the bench despite a promising preseason. So while the small sample was encouraging, there’s no definitive proof that either is a long-term answer at guard and Aaron Stinnie is an uninspiring safety net.
The concerns regarding the Giants’ interior defensive line are likely more related to depth than anything else. Dexter Lawrence was still dealing with his elbow injury last year, but should be expected to return to form in 2026. Likewise, Darius Alexander played much better after Charlie Bullen took in the second half of the year.
But even with the signing of DT Sam Roberts and the potential signing of DT Shelby Harris, the depth chart of Roy Robertson-Harris, Marlon Tuipolotu, and Elijah Chatman could be an issue.
It’s deeply interesting that it’s just assumed the offense will be fine.
The answer seems to be “because Jaxson Dart.”
It’s true that teams often look to franchise quarterbacks to cover warts on their offense and allow them to invest elsewhere. And I do think it says something that fans and the media alike already expect Jaxson Dart to elevate everyone around him despite the fact that the only skill position player drafted before the 4th round is recovering from ACL and meniscus surgery. That’s the kind of faith engendered by the likes of Pat Mahomes, Josh Allen, or Matthew Stafford.
