The Washington Commanders went from a team that felt like one of the premier contenders in the NFC to an afterthought in just one season. With quarterback Jayden Daniels filtering in and out of the lineup due to various injuries, they could never get going.
This offseason, they’re trying to build a better roster around him. One avenue for that was acquiring more help on the offense. But after they struck out with Brandon Aiyuk, one analyst believes the 2026 NFL Draft is their best bet moving forward.
Finding Help for Jayden Daniels Outside of Brandon Aiyuk
Last year, as Daniels wasn’t able to maintain his health throughout the season, the Commanders cratered. From a 12-win juggernaut that made it to the NFC Championship Game, they were essentially a non-factor in the NFC East.
Add in injuries around the roster, including to Terry McLaurin, and they never stood a chance. Now, going into 2026, the hope has to be that they can catch lightning in a bottle again. But it hasn’t been an easy task so far this offseason.
Even though they’ve made improvements to the roster, the offense around Daniels isn’t their strongest suit. Outside of McLaurin, it is hard to find many legitimate options at the wide receiver spot.
As a result, the team even had a legitimate interest in making a push for Aiyuk in the summer. Unfortunately, it hasn’t materialized into a trade yet, with the San Francisco 49ers continuing to engage in their war of attrition.
Last season, the talented wide receiver did not suit up for a single game and even distanced himself from the organization as a whole. Still, San Francisco has persevered, potentially to get a large return from Washington in particular.
So far, it hasn’t come to fruition, and he remains on the 49ers. As a result, T.J. Randall of PFSN has the Commanders looking in a different direction. In his latest mock draft for 2026, he made the case for the team to go after Skyler Bell from UConn.
“Skyler Bell doesn’t have to wait much longer than he did in my prior mock to find his new home with quarterback Jayden Daniels. Bell’s dynamism shouldn’t have trouble finding a role,” Randall wrote.
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At No. 71, Bell could offer great value to Washington as a five-year collegiate veteran. After three seasons at Wisconsin, he made the switch to the Huskies and immediately exploded in his new role.
As a result, he finished with career totals of 2,893 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns, with more than 2,100 yards and 18 touchdowns coming in his two years at UConn alone. While he hasn’t slotted extremely high in mock drafts yet, the talent is undeniable.
According to PFSN’s Wide Receiver Impact Metric, he posted an 80.0 WR Impact Score and a B grade, ranking 6th at the position in the 2025 season. If he can continue that level of production at the professional level as well, the Commanders would get a steal and form a legitimate one-two punch for Daniels.
