Jalen Huskey Predicted To Be Drafted By The Washington Commanders In 2026 NFL Draft
In this story:
The 2026 NFL Draft is only three weeks away. There are a couple of names from College Park that will be looking to hear their names called and fulfill lifelong childhood dreams of playing in the NFL.
ESPN released its annual NFL Draft projections from rounds 1-7 two days ago, and Maryland safety Jalen Huskey was projected to end up in the sixth round and selected with the 209th pick by the Washington Commanders.
ESPN projects the Commanders to draft Huskey in the sixth round of next month’s NFL Draft
— Inside the Black & Gold (@Insideblackgold) March 30, 2026
Huskey would be the third Terp to join Washington this offseason + second safety alongside Nick Cross, Chig Okonkwo https://t.co/Gn8uTdWt76
If that outcome comes to fruition, Huskey would become the third active Terp player to be featured on the Commanders roster, joining the likes of safety Nick Cross and tight end Chig Okonkwo, who signed with Washington in free agency.
Huskey would join a secondary room that is looking to improve upon its play from the 2025 season, and struggled mightily in coverage and tackling.
On paper, the starting safeties for Washington at the moment look to be Cross at free safety and veteran Will Harris at strong safety. Filling out the depth chart is veterans Jeremey Reaves, Quan Martin, Percy Butler and Tyler Owens.
Huskey is a ball hawk who knows how to make plays on the ball and disrupt passing lanes with his quick instincts, which allows him to line up in both the nickel and backfield. Huskey is a good tackler with excellent form that allows him to wrap up and prevent players from breaking away. Speed is one part of Huskey's game that he needs to improve, especially when facing vertical, downfield routes, especially in today's game, where big-shot plays are a huge part of offenses.
In his two seasons with the Terps, Huskey started 22 games, totaling 117 tackles (79 solo tackles & 8 assisted tackles), four tackles for loss (8 yards), seven interceptions, 10 pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick.
When speaking to the media at Maryland's 2026 Pro Day last week at Jones Hill House, Huskey said this about what he can bring to the table skill wise in the NFL:
"I believe I can play any position in the secondary. I'm a great leader, super vocal, and a guy who wants to come in and work. You get a five-position player when you draft me."
Huskey further elaborated on how his time as a Terp has prepared him for the next level.
"It's been great, playing corner, nickel, and playing safety. It really jump-started my career playing all three positions. If I had stayed at the corner, I probably wouldn't have been in the position I'm in now. I'm extremely grateful for [Locks] seeing that in me, changing my position and letting me excel not only as a player but as a man."
Huskey has stated that he has met with the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, and New England Patriots.
We'll see at the end of the month where he ends up getting an opportunity to showcase what he's done with the Maryland Terrapins.
Stay up to date with the Terrapins by bookmarking Maryland On SI and follow us on Twitter.
Jaden's sports journalism career began at the College of Southern Maryland from 2022-2023, where he was brought in to cover baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, and volleyball at CSM. In late 2023, he began interning at the University of Maryland Athletics Department as a contributing writer to help develop feature stories and game recaps. He also creates his own sports media content on professional Washington teams with LegacyMaker Sports Network.