Former Commanders TE Projects Defensive Back in Latest Mock Draft

With less than three weeks remaining until the NFL Draft, former Washington tight end Logan Paulsen has released his latest mock projection, forecasting significant movement in the top seven selections that could directly impact the Commanders' strategy at pick seven.

Paulsen, co-host of the "Take Command" podcast alongside Grant Paulsen, conducted a comprehensive second-round mock that reflects recent league developments, most notably the Las Vegas Raiders' signing of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. This move fundamentally alters the draft landscape, as Cousins is expected to mentor rookie Fernando Mendoza while serving as the Raiders' starter for the 2026 season.

The Paulsens project the Raiders will select Mendoza with the first overall pick, believing Tom Brady and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak view Cousins as the ideal mentor for the Indiana quarterback. This partnership removes immediate pressure from Mendoza while providing a clear developmental path, though the rookie remains one injury away from significant playing time.

The projected top seven continues with the New York Jets selecting Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese at second overall. Grant Paulsen believes the Jets will target the defensive player with the highest ceiling available, making Reese the logical choice for their linebacker corps.

Arizona surprises at third overall with Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, a selection Logan Paulsen justifies by suggesting the Cardinals could address offensive line needs at pick 34. The Tennessee Titans follow with Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey at fourth, a pairing Logan Paulsen describes as "perfect" given head coach Robert Saleh's defensive philosophy.

The New York Giants continue the defensive trend at fifth overall with Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, whom Logan Paulsen considers too talented for the Giants to pass up. Cleveland, picking sixth with their first of two first-round selections, addresses receiver needs by selecting Ohio State's Carnell Tate.

This brings Washington on the clock at seven, where the Paulsens project LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane as the selection. Grant Paulsen describes Delane as "the biggest plug-in starter filling a Commanders need available at this point," addressing a clear weakness in Washington's secondary.

However, the mock reveals internal debate within the Commanders organization. Grant Paulsen notes that people inside the team's Ashburn facility have expressed strong interest in defensive end Rueben Bain, while others advocate for additional offensive weapons to support quarterback Jayden Daniels. Safety Caleb Downs and receiver Makai Lemon were also mentioned as possibilities.

Logann Paulsen expressed particular enthusiasm for Bain's playing style while acknowledging questions surrounding certain prospects. The former tight end ultimately settled on Delane as the most logical choice, describing him as the top cornerback available who directly fills a positional need.

The discussion also touched on Washington's offensive line concerns, specifically at left guard. Questions remain about whether Brandon Coleman or Chris Paul represent long-term solutions at the position. Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa emerged as a potential option, with Logan Paulsen calling him his "highest confidence pick in the first round," suggesting the tackle could play effectively for 15 years.

However, both Paulsens questioned the wisdom of drafting a tackle seventh overall only to move him to guard, particularly when other vital positions could be addressed with premium talent.

The mock draft represents experimentation with various scenarios the Paulsens envision unfolding on draft night. They acknowledged trying different possibilities for how the first seven selections could develop, indicating this projection represents one potential pathway rather than a definitive prediction.

With the draft approaching rapidly, Washington faces crucial decisions about their roster construction priorities. Whether they address secondary needs, add weapons for Daniels, or shore up the offensive line will provide insight into the organization's championship timeline and strategic vision under head coach Dan Quinn.