As the NFL Draft approaches, excitement reaches a fever pitch. Mock drafts are everywhere, and analysts are sharing their predictions. Recently, Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks of NFL.com offered their insights, sparking conversations and debates among fans. One point of contention arose when Brooks projected safety Caleb Downs going seventh overall to the Washington Commanders, which drew criticism amidst calls for the selection of cornerback Mansoor Delane.
Brooks laid out a conventional Top 5 in his latest mock. He predicts Fernando Mendoza going first overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, followed by the New York Jets selecting edge rusher David Bailey. The Arizona Cardinals are expected to take Arvelle Reese third, with Jeremiyah Love going fourth to the Tennessee Titans, Sunny Styles fifth to the New York Giants, and Carnell Tate landing sixth with the Cleveland Browns.
Criticism arose surrounding Brooks’ choice of Downs for the Commanders. Many argued the team needs cornerback support, especially with Delane’s strong ties to the franchise. Brooks, however, stood firm in his reasoning, asserting that Downs offers the versatility the Commanders require.
“Do you want someone in the middle of the field who can do multiple things? In this case, I chose Downs. Considering Dan Quinn’s defensive vision, he aligns better with their intentions,” stated Brooks on NFL: Moving The Sticks.
With a defensive-minded coach like Quinn, it’s crucial to have top-tier talent on that side of the field. Once viewed as the premier player in the 2026 Draft class, selecting Downs would certainly not be a surprise.
But why pass on cornerback for the Commanders? Although Brooks sees potential in Delane, he doesn’t believe he’s worthy of a Top 10 pick. The risks involved in selecting a cornerback at that spot may be too considerable for the team.
“After their experience with Marshawn Lattimore, do you trust Delane can step in and compete against elite receivers like George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb?” Brooks queried. “Consider AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, not to mention Malik Nabers returning. Can you confidently place him in one-on-one matchups, knowing he can hold his own?”
This thought process isn’t always top of mind for fans filling out mock drafts. The reality is that teams often choose players based on their future performance against division rivals.
Jeremiah reiterated this concept, sharing insights from his time in the Ravens’ front office regarding draft strategies.
“When scouting pass rushers, our focus was, ‘Can this guy take down Ben Roethlisberger?’ If he can’t, then he’s not the right choice. He can beat a lineman, but if he lacks the strength and length to tackle Ben, that won’t help us,” Jeremiah expressed.
This perspective led him to comment on how the Philadelphia Eagles should approach their draft strategies.
“Looking at Philadelphia’s defense, you need to find ways to tackle Jayden Daniels, Jaxson Dart, and Dak Prescott. Ensuring you have fast, athletic ends who can contain these mobile quarterbacks is essential. This needs to be part of the edge rusher discussion,”
This perspective should be considered, especially with the NFC East loaded with formidable defensive linemen. Players like Jalen Carter, Dexter Lawrence, Daron Payne, and Quinnen Williams are all present to challenge the dynamic quarterbacks in the division.
Given this context, selecting Downs over Delane seems like a prudent choice for the Commanders. Downs has the potential to be a standout talent, reminiscent of past elite safeties like Kyle Hamilton. However, selecting a safety in the Top 10 poses a challenge. The last safety drafted that high was Jamal Adams in 2017, who was selected sixth overall by the Jets.
