The reward for a brutal Week 8 slate of blowouts and bye weeks was supposed to be a clash of titans. Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders visiting Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs would have been an excellent way to wrap up an otherwise sorry slate.
Instead, it will be the Marcus Mariota show on Monday as he hopes to save Washington’s season.
The Commanders are reeling, the Chiefs are hot, and we’re awfully close to wondering what went wrong with Washington’s front office. In the meantime, it’s worth wondering how these teams could hope to keep their competitive windows open during the 2026 NFL Draft.
Washington Commanders
Round 1, Pick 12: USC wide receiver Makai Lemon
Washington prolonged receiver Terry McLaurin’s contract extension because of concerns about his age, and while Deebo Samuel Sr. is playing well, there’s no guarantee he’s on next year’s roster. Taking a high-level receiver to start opposite McLaurin makes the Commanders better immediately and alleviates the concern of potential regression.
Lemon will start his career in the slot, but we’ve seen this archetype blossom into full-fledged superstars in recent years. He has elite body control and athleticism, trustworthy hands, and a knack for making plays after the catch. His addition would make Washington more potent over the middle of the field and further insulate Daniels’ offense.
Round 3, Pick 78: Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell
Cashius Howell entered the year with Day 2 hype and has made a strong case to boost his stock in the first half of the season. He leads the SEC with 9.5 sacks — his second season with that strong a total — and is dominating conference play in the process.
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Howell is explosive, technical, and strong enough to stay on the field against the run. In essence, he’s everything a milquetoast Commanders defensive line needs.
Kansas City Chiefs
Round 1, Pick 18: Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey
The Chiefs are in a position to make a luxury pick, but replenishing the pass rush should be a priority. Bailey may go closer to the end of Round 1 (and Kansas City will likely pick later than 18th), but if his improvements as a run defender are real, there’s no ceiling to his stock.
Bailey is preternaturally athletic, with all the makings of a closer when opposing teams are rendered one-dimensional. He’s bendy, polished, and explosive with flashes of speed-to-power. There’s an argument for taking a running back or a Travis Kelce replacement, but positional value wins out in Round 1.
Round 2, Pick 49: Iowa State defensive tackle Domonique Orange
Kansas City could also use help on the interior. Chris Jones won’t be around forever, and Omarr Norman-Lott should fill his shoes, but a quality nose tackle is a bit of a sore spot. Stopping the run is paramount in January, and Big Citrus can help the Chiefs keep games close down the stretch.
Orange is a proficient run stuffer whose 325-pound frame becomes a physics problem for opposing linemen. He isn’t likely to make an impact as a pass rusher, but his effectiveness within a nose tackle role is easy to spot. With Derrick Nnadi’s free agency looming, Orange would be a Day 1 contributor.
Round 3, Pick 82: South Carolina safety Jalon Kilgore
Kilgore began the draft cycle as a contender for a top-50 selection. His stock has taken a step back in 2025, but the foundation of his stock — size, athleticism, and versatility — remains in place.
He could play in the slot when Trent McDuffie kicks outside or over the top as a split-field safety. Kilgore is strong enough to play in the box, physical at the line of scrimmage, and capable of winning in man coverage over the middle of the field. The Chiefs’ dynasty has been supported by the emergence of young defenders under Steve Spagnuolo’s tutelage. Kilgore could be the next man up in Kansas City’s secondary.
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