Commanders 2026 NFL Draft target: Did Dan Quinn reveal his hand?

Appearing on The Insiders, available to Game Pass subscribers on DAZN, Quinn touched on a variety of topics, including Jayden Daniels' rehab and how new offensive coordinator David Blough is settling in.

But it was his comments on the draft that were, perhaps, the most interesting. Here's what he had to say.

Quinn responds to questions about RB and DB

Quinn was tight-lipped when pressed on whether he thinks Washington should use pick No. 7 on a running back, with interviewer Steve Wyche seemingly trying to steer the conversation toward Jeremiyah Love.

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But when asked about the value of "multi-dimensional hybrid safety-linebacker" players, which Wyche correctly pointed out were a hallmark of Quinn's tenures in Atlanta and Dallas, the head coach was considerably more forthcoming.

"It's really important. And part of that, if you think back to the offense, is the tight end. Can they split out, can they be in line?" he said, teeing up his response.

"On the defensive side, who guards them? Who defends them? How could you put a safety down in the box where they can guard that person? Do they have any qualities as a blitzer?

"It does expand your vision about what a player can do," Quinn continued.

Was Quinn hinting at safety Caleb Downs?

The Ohio State standout is as versatile as they come. Downs is a hybrid safety who can play deep, come down into the box, and blitz - exactly the profile Quinn was describing in such glowing terms.

Downs regularly appears in mock drafts as a Washington target with the seventh-overall selection, and after hearing Quinn wax lyrical about multi-dimensional defensive backs, it's easy to see why.

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Quinn's options behind big-money addition Nick Cross get thin quickly. Will Harris, Jeremy Reaves and Quan Martin are next in line - and Martin was a soft target in 2025, with opposing quarterbacks posting near-perfect numbers when throwing his way.

Pairing Downs with Cross would give the Commanders' safety unit a formidable duo in the heart of their secondary.

Washington's other options at seventh overall

Edges: Reese, Bailey, or Bain

Arvell Reese, David Bailey and Rueben Bain are all attractive options. However, all three could be gone before Washington's pick.

Even if one or more remain, the additions of Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson, and the return of Dorance Armstrong, suggest Washington should prioritise other needs.

Linebacker: Sonny Styles

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Amid uncertainty surrounding Bobby Wagner's situation, several mock drafts suggest the Commanders should focus on reinforcing their linebacker room.

The arrival of former Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal, the presence of veteran Frankie Luvu, and Quinn's glowing praise for third-year man Jordan Magee suggest that Sonny Styles - who seems unlikely to fall to seventh anyway - is not heading to Washington.

Wide receiver: Carnell Tate or Makai Lemon

The wide receiver position is perhaps the biggest competition to Downs at seven.

With free agent Deebo Samuel looking unlikely to return to Washington, and even though Quinn and Co. are high on Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane, the idea of adding Tate or Makai Lemon alongside Terry McLaurin could be too tempting to pass up.

Tate going to the Commanders is the scenario we predicted in our latest mock draft.

Other Commanders draft needs

Washington heads into the draft with other priorities, too, cornerback and centre among them, but if Quinn's words on The Insiders are anything to go by, it would not be a surprise to see Caleb Downs on the roster soon.

Whatever direction they go in, the Commanders will be getting a blue-chip prospect. Tune in to DAZN on 24 April to see how this plays out.