The Washington Commanders have bolstered their quarterback depth by selecting Rutgers signal-caller Athan Kaliakmanis in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The team used the 223rd overall pick to add Kaliakmanis to their roster.
The Commanders already feature Jayden Daniels as their franchise quarterback and Marcus Mariota as a veteran backup. Kaliakmanis is expected to compete with Sam Hartman for the third-string quarterback position.
Kaliakmanis brings five years of Big Ten experience to Washington. He started 17 games for the Minnesota Golden Gophers before transferring to Rutgers in 2024. During his time with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, he started every game in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
While his college statistics were modest—55.8% completion rate, 55 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions—Kaliakmanis demonstrated notable talent in key moments. The Commanders viewed his potential as sufficient justification for a seventh-round selection, offering him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot during the offseason.
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