Trending Now - Draft Prospects and Free Agents to Watch for 2026 NFL Season
WHO:
Washington Commanders: NFL team that finished the 2025 season with a 5-12 record.
Jayden Daniels: Returning quarterback for the Commanders in the 2026 season.
Analysts: Logan Paulsen, Fred Smoot, Santana Moss.
Devin Lloyd: Linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Pro Bowl and Second Team All-Pro selection.
Leo Chenal: Linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Quay Walker: Linebacker for the Green Bay Packers.
Justin Strnad: Linebacker for the Denver Broncos.
Devin Bush: Linebacker for the Cleveland Browns.
Eric Wilson: Linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings.
Bobby Wagner: Linebacker for the Washington Commanders since 2024.
Nakobe Dean: Linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Demario Davis: Linebacker for the New Orleans Saints.
Kaden Elliss: Linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons.
Tyler Linderbaum: Center for the Baltimore Ravens, selected to three consecutive Pro Bowls since 2022.
Alec Pierce: Wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts.
Rashid Shaheed: Wide receiver and return specialist.
Khalil Mack: Linebacker, former player for the Raiders, now with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Trey Hendrickson: Edge rusher.
WHAT:
NFL Scouting Combine: Upcoming event where draft prospects are evaluated.
Free agency period: Begins on March 11, 2026, at 4 p.m. ET.
Commanders' roster: Needs rebuilding, especially in defense and positions like wide receiver and running back.
Devin Lloyd: Recorded three seasons with at least 100 tackles in the last four years, five interceptions in 2025.
Leo Chenal: 218 total tackles, six pass breakups, seven sacks, and one interception over the last three seasons.
Quay Walker: Known for speed and pursuit, one interception returned for a touchdown in four seasons.
Justin Strnad: 7.5 sacks over the last two seasons.
Devin Bush: 125 tackles and eight pass deflections in 2025, led the league in interception yards and defensive touchdowns.
Eric Wilson: 115 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2025.
Bobby Wagner: Close to surpassing Ray Lewis for the most tackles in NFL history.
Nakobe Dean: 128 tackles, one interception, three sacks, and four pass breakups in 2024.
Demario Davis: Nine consecutive 100-tackle seasons, five straight All-Pro selections.
Kaden Elliss: Three straight 100-tackle seasons and at least four sacks every year since 2022.
Tyler Linderbaum: 0.9% sack rate in 509 pass blocking snaps in 2025.
Alec Pierce: 1,000 receiving yards in 2025, leading the league in yards per reception (21.3).
Rashid Shaheed: Three kick returns for touchdowns in 2025, named First-Team All-Pro in 2023.
Khalil Mack: 36.5 quarterback sacks in four seasons with the Chargers.
Trey Hendrickson: 39 career sacks since 2023, led the league with 17.5 sacks in 2024.
WHERE:
Indianapolis: Location of the NFL Scouting Combine.
Washington, D.C.: Home of the Washington Commanders.
Baltimore: Home of the Baltimore Ravens.
Indianapolis: Home of the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas: Home of the Las Vegas Raiders.
WHEN:
NFL Scouting Combine: Scheduled for early March 2026.
Free agency period: Begins on March 11, 2026, at 4 p.m. ET.
2025 NFL season: Commanders finished with a 5-12 record.
WHY:
Commanders aim to improve their roster and return to playoff contention.
Teams are looking to acquire players to fill gaps in their rosters during free agency.
HOW:
Teams will evaluate players during the NFL Scouting Combine and free agency to make roster decisions.
The Washington Commanders are gearing up for the 2026 season after finishing last season with a disappointing 5-12 record, and they will be looking to rebuild their roster, particularly on defense and in key positions like wide receiver and running back. As the NFL Scouting Combine kicks off in Indianapolis this week, teams will evaluate draft prospects ahead of the free agency period, which begins on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET, giving them a chance to fill gaps and strengthen their lineups. Notable players like linebacker Devin Lloyd, who had a standout 2025 season with five interceptions, and center Tyler Linderbaum, who boasts an impressive pass-blocking record, will be among those teams are keen to watch as they prepare for the upcoming season.