Commanders' secondary will face several of the NFL's elite WRs in 2026

Apparently, wide receiver is the most crowded position in the NFL.

ESPN, continuing its survey of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, released its top ten current receivers in the NFL. They also revealed that not a few more than 10 received votes for the top ten. Actually, it was 26 players that received votes for the top 10. That's remarkable and goes a long way to show that receiver is the deepest position in the NFL.

The first observation that jumped off the page at me is that eight of the 10 are in the NFC. Even more, nine of the ten played in the NFC last year (AJ Brown was traded in the offseason to the New England Patriots). Secondly, I noticed that Washington Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin, though not in the top 10 or on the honorable mention list, did receive some votes.

Good Morning from Terry McLaurin!

Absolute beast
pic.twitter.com/w5R8rzT0DP

— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) July 22, 2025

• 1. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals: Since debuting in 2021, Chase's 19 touchdowns of 40-plus yards are the most in the NFL -- six more than the next-closest player (Tyreek Hill). Commanders' secondary will see plenty of Chase and teammate Tee Higgins on MNF on November 23.
• 2. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings: Jefferson's 8,480 receiving yards are the most for any player in his first six seasons in NFL history. The Commanders go to Minnesota on December 27.
• 3. Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks: JSN has lit up the Commanders in his two games against them, catching 12 passes for 182 receiving yards, averaging 15.2 yards per reception. Week 3 he comes to Washington.
• 4. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams: He led the NFL with 129 catches in 2025. Week 9, the Rams come to Washington.
• 5. Amon Ra-St Brown, Detroit Lions: Some may recall when St Brown aired his disgust that Commanders receiver Dyami Brown was drafted before himself. Brown was drafted No. 82 while St Brown didn't go until No. 112.
• 6. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys: Commanders will have to see Lamb twice again this season. In 11 games vs Washington, Lamb has 64 receptions for 671 yards and 6 touchdowns.
• 7. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys: Pickens in 2025 accomplished 93 catches, 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. Now the Commanders will have to face the No. 6 and No. 7 NFL receivers twice.
• 8. Nico Collins, Houston Texans: Collins tied for second in receptions of 40 or more yards last season with five. Week 14, Collins and the Texans come to Washington.
• 9. A.J. Brown, New England Patriots: Well, at least the Commanders won't have to see Brown twice a season, as they did when he was with Philadelphia.
• 10. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams: Led the league in receiving touchdowns despite missing three games. Nacua and Adams duo will be a challenge for the Commanders in Week 9.

This means the Commanders have 10 games in 2026 scheduled against the top 10 NFL receivers.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' secondary will face several of the NFL's elite WRs in 2026