The Super Bowl is over and we’re starting to get ready for free agency next month, and the draft in April. The Washington Commanders couldn’t repeat the success they had in the first year of the Adam Peters/Dan Quinn/Jayden Daniels era. They went from NFC Championship Game to No. 7 overall pick after a injury-filled, disappointing season that led to the Commanders getting two new coordinators.
This roundup has 81 mock drafts and 37 of them feature EDGE rushers. Texas’s David Bailey has taken the lead for pass rushers, with 24 mocks sending him to Washington. Miami’s Rueben Bain is still a popular selection for the Commanders with 10 mocks giving him to Washington. Auburn’s Kevin Faulk has been getting linked to the #7 pick, and Clemson’s T.J. Parker gets his first mention for the Commanders.
EDGE is easily the most mocked position for Washington, but safety Caleb Downs continues to get mentioned as the best player in this year’s draft. He goes to the Commanders in the first round in 22 different mock drafts, and he goes earlier than that in a few more. A safety that early has to be special, and the Downs hype train continues to grow with Dane Brugler getting told by some scouts that he’s the best safety they’ve ever scouted. RIPST21.
That’s a lot of love in the secondary for one player, but we also have a cornerback to talk about this week. Jermod McCoy was the lone CB in our last roundup, but he’s been replaced by LSU’s Mansoor Delane. Fox Sports Joel Klatt has Delane as his top corner in the draft, and the Commanders obviously have a need with Marshon Lattimore’s torn ACL and pending gun charges. Rookie Trey Amos also ended the season on IR, and Mike Sainristil needs a reset under new DC Daronte Jones.
Ohio State LB Arvell Reese is expected to be a Top-5 pick, but continues to “fall” in some mock drafts that want to send him to Washington. The more realistic LB option from Ohio State is Sonny Styles who gets mocked to the Commanders almost three times as much as Reese. He would be considered a reach at No. 7 overall, but he’s rising up some boards, and is becoming a more popular option for Washington.
Wide receiver and running back round out the roundup, with nine picks combined. Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love continues to get the nod from Walter Football, but the odds remain low for the Commanders to draft a RB that high with no second-round pick. Carnell Tate was only sent to Washington. Jordyn Tyson was a stud at Arizona State, could he find his footing with another Arizona State product throwing him the ball?
Position selections:
EDGE – 37
S – 22
CB – 2
LB – 11
RB – 4
WR – 5
Where will Washington pick, and who/what position should they take next year?
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas(24)
The Athletic (Baumgardner)
If Mendoza was the top offensive transfer this past college football season, then Bailey was the best defensive pickup. He exploded to become the country’s top pass rusher after moving from Stanford to Texas Tech. And though there are questions about what he’ll bring on early downs, his move set is deeper than anyone else’s in this class.
Round 3: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
NFL.com (Edholm)
Washington didn’t do enough to address its defensive needs last year, especially its dormant pass rush. Bailey isn’t a complete edge just yet, but his explosive get-off and pass-rush juice would help upgrade the Commanders’ front quickly.
NFL.com (Frelund)
Dan Quinn is a defensive-minded head coach and pairing him with Bailey is a win-win for both parties in terms of coaching and raw-skills fit.
CBS Sports (Brockermeyer)
David Bailey is a natural edge rusher with the ability to win with speed and exceptional quickness in tight spaces. He’s a dynamic player who can wreck a game and has shown improvement against the run. His highest upside comes as a pure pass rusher with his get-off and twitch.
Yahoo Sports (McDonald/Tice)
This one is a pretty easy pairing. The Commanders are starved for edge rushers, especially ones who can win one-on-one and get after the quarterback. That’s exactly what Bailey brings to the table. He’s a dynamo off the edge and brings the heat play after play. Bailey’s lack of size can give him issues against the run, but he improved in that area during his lone season in Lubbock. He’ll immediately inject some juice into a front that needs it under new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones.
NBC Sports (Dvorchak)
The only other contender for EDGE1, Bailey led the country in sacks (14.5) and pressure rate (20.2 percent). At 6’3/250, Bailey is notably undersized for an NFL EDGE, but his production speaks for itself. Dan Quinn gets a high-ceiling defender to rebuild his defense around.
The Ringer (Kelly)
The Commanders defense ranked 26th in pressure rate last year (19.6 percent) and dead last in hurry rate (5.3 percent). It’s safe to say they need more juice from their edge defender group. Bailey provides just that: He’s twitchy and aggressive, bringing a no-holds-barred demeanor as a pass rusher.
Shades of Chop Robinson
Souped-up, highly disruptive defender who creates anarchy in the backfield.
SBNation (Schofield)
The Washington Commanders need some help along the defensive front.
Enter David Bailey.
Bailey helped turn the Red Raiders into one of college football’s best defenses this past season, and was one of the players mentioned on Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks” list heading into last year. He might need to round out his toolkit as a pass rusher, but his athleticism and burst is a great starting point.
Here is a good look at those traits:
San Diego Union~Tribune (Brown)
The Commanders’ biggest problem this season was keeping Jayden Daniels healthy. Their second biggest problem was an ineffective defense. They need more playmakers at all three levels. Bailey tied for first in the FBS with 14½ sacks, and was second with 19½ tackles for loss. He has rare speed for someone who is 6-3, 250, having hit 22.16 mph — he’s No. 43 on Bruce Feldman’s 2025 “Freaks List.” There’s still work to do, but the Stanford transfer also improved as a run defender during his one season with the Red Raiders. Top needs: Edge, LB, CB
Pro Football Focus (Chadwick)
The Commanders have fielded one of the NFL’s six lowest-graded defenses in each of the past three seasons. Washington addresses that by drafting Bailey, college football’s highest-graded defender this past season (93.3). He led college football in PFF pass-rush grade in each of the past two seasons at Texas Tech and Stanford.
USA Today (Ostly)
Washington needs to get younger on defense, especially up front. Bailey was the most productive edge rusher in college football in 2025 and would be an immediate starter off the edge. He may have some concerns in run defense but that’s well worth the pass rush boost he’ll give this unit.
The Draft Network (Melo)
Dan Quinn has hired Daronte Jones to help fix the Commanders’ defense. A pass rusher like David Bailey would go a long way. Bailey possesses the speed and general athleticism needed to develop into a nightmare for the opposition.
Pro Football Network (Aaron)
With edge rushers flying off the board, a second straight Miami Hurricane comes off next. The Commanders’ defense ranked No. 30, according to PFSN’s Defensive Impact rankings, no help to their battered pass rush unit.
Bain Jr.’s explosive first step and violent hand usage make him an instant-impact player. His motor jumps off the screen, and given head coach Dan Quinn’s affinity for edge rushers, this could be the pick come late April.
Pro Football Network (Infante)
Let’s face it: 2025 was a disaster of a season for the Washington Commanders. Injuries flooded their roster, but they also exposed their lack of developing young talent outside of injured quarterback Jayden Daniels. They have a serious chance in the 2026 NFL Draft to give their roster a much-needed youth infusion, especially in the trenches.
David Bailey is pass-rushing lightning in a bottle, and he deserves to be selected early in Round 1 in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
He’s a little undersized but brings impressive first-step acceleration, flexibility turning the corner, and an advanced understanding of how to use his hands to exploit the weaknesses of whichever offensive tackle he’s going up against.
Round 3: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Omar Cooper Jr. is an impressive wide receiver with strong ball skills, coordination, and strong hands. If he continues to develop as a route runner, taking him in Round 3 could be very good value.
Touchdown Wire (Petry)
Ruben Bain Jr. looked great in the National Championship game against Indiana. He had one sack and 2.5 tackles for a loss. The Commanders have a good offense, but could definitely use more sacks on opposing quarterbacks. Bain Jr. is your man for that.
Last Word on Sports (Farbolin)
Washington suffered a major regression in 2025, largely due to a lackluster defense. The Commanders acquire a premier pass rusher in David Bailey. Bailey is a refined pass rusher who racked up 14.5 sacks in 2025. His first step is explosive, and he uses an array of pass-rush moves to beat offensive tackles.
Bleacher Report (Sobleski)
The Washington Commanders finished dead-last in total defense this past season. The poor performance on that side of the ball had as much to do with the team’s massively disappointing season as Jayden Daniels’ injuries.
A season earlier, the Commanders’ defense ranked 13th overall on the way to an NFC Championship Game appearance. Obviously, a massive overhaul is necessary after what Washington fielded in 2025, starting with a pass rush that lacks punch.
Texas Tech’s David Bailey is coming off a season in which his 14.5 sacks tied for the most in the nation.“At this point last year, the Commanders were expected to address their pass-rush issue,” Holder said. “However, free agency and the draft went by and their only significant addition came courtesy of signing a 36-year-old Von Miller right before training camp. In this scenario, Washington lands arguably the best pure pass-rusher in the draft as Bailey has a deep bag of moves that he can win with to solve one of the team’s biggest problems.”
A to Z Sports
The Commanders’ defense was on it’s last legs in 2024, and that unit completely fell apart in 2025. Regression from key players like Mike Sainristil and Bobby Wagner didn’t help, but this team needs a pass rush. Bailey is arguably the best pure pass rusher in this class and his college resume proves that. Dan Quinn has done his best work when he can rush with four, and Bailey presents that opportunity.
Round 3: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
A to Z Sports (Schulte)
The Commanders’ pass rush needs a big boost to make opposing QBs less comfortable. Texas Tech’s David Bailey is in the conversation to be the top EDGE taken in the class, and if he’s on the board at seven for the Commanders, I think it should be a no-brainer selection.
Round 3: Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
NFL Mocks (Basile-vaughan)
The Commanders took a huge step back in 2025 but can take a huge step forward with a solid draft in 2026. One of the top areas of need will be at edge rusher. With Ruben Bain off the board, they select Texas Tech’s David Bailey who was just as impactful if not more impactful in 2025. In leading the nation in sacks with 14.5, Bailey showcased an ability to create consistent pressure on the quarterback while making game-changing type plays when he is not able to get home on the quarterback. The Commanders have been missing that type of production and Bailey fulfill that hunger as a high-level defender coming off the edge.
Fantasy Pros (Janvrin)
David Bailey may be a bit undersized for a traditional EDGE rusher, but you can’t argue with the production: 81 pressures and 14.5 sacks. He’s one of the best athletes in this class.
TWSN (Fulmer)
Bailey has some character concerns, but there’s no denying his talent. If the Commanders feel comfortable with him in the interview process, then they could possibly add the best pure pass rusher in the draft.
Andy NFL
This is a slam dunk for the Commanders in my eyes. For a defense that could certainly use more explosion and production off the edge, Bailey checks the boxes. Coming off of a 14.5 sack season for the Red Raiders it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he comes off the board much earlier.
USA Today (Middlehurst-Schwartz)
Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami
Last Man Standig
Alternate path: Trade down, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, receiver
Explainer: Washington’s list of roster needs is uncomfortably long for a team one year removed from the NFC Championship game. That’s why trading down is a top consideration for a team with only two top-100 selections.
This is one team where the offseason transactional calendar must be mentioned. Spending heavily on the defensive line in free agency could open GM Adam Peters to take a needed receiver opposite Terry McLaurin or a back-7 playmaker in Downs — or tack on Bain regardless.
Teams can never have enough pass rushers or difference-makers up front. What the 6-foot-4, 270-pounder lacks in arm length he makes up for with tremendous power and disruptive abilities, as displayed during an impressive showing during the college football playoffs.
The McShay Report
Bobby Wagner is 35 and set to hit free agency in March, so LB Sonny Styles would be in play here. However, Bain is an impact player at a position of higher value. And the Commanders need to get younger and more explosive at edge, with Von Miller (entering his age-37 season), Preston Smith (age-33 season), and Jacob Martin (age-31 season) making up an experienced but older group.
Fox Sports (Brooks)
Head coach Dan Quinn’s success with similar power rushers (SEE: Dante Fowler) could lead the Commanders to take a chance on Bain despite his lack of ideal physical traits. The Miami standout’s energy and effort overwhelm opponents, unable to match his intensity between the lines.
Walter Football (Campbell)
Washington needs some edge rush youth.
Bain had 54 tackles, 9.5 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble. Bain had an excellent freshman season for Miami, totaling 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 44 tackles. At the point of attack, Bain (6-3, 275) is strong and violent. He is tough to set the edge in the ground game, and Bain battles hard on every snap with relentless effort. In the pass rush, he shows some quickness and power, but some team sources feel that Bain is a tweener tackle/end. Bain was injured to start 2024 and didn’t debut until early October. He totaled 23 tackles with 3.5 sacks.
Round 3: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
Washington could use more receiving weapons for Jayden Daniels.
Williams had 55 receptions for 604 yards and four touchdowns. Williams flashed playmaking ability for the Tigers in 2024 with 75 catches for 904 yards and 11 touchdowns. Williams (5-11, 190) has enough size and some natural talent as a route-runner.
Essentially Sports (Pauline)
With all these offensive players flying off the board, the Washington Commanders sprint to the podium to select Rueben Bain. The Miami defensive end is the best pass rusher in the class, but I also wouldn’t be surprised to see David Bailey here if he tests better than Bain in the pre-draft process. Either way, they get a game-changing defensive end at No. 7.
Draft Wire (Popejoy)
We love Bain and he is poised to be a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate from Day One on a Commanders defense that needs help.
Bears Wire (Pendleton)
One pick after his teammate, Rueben Bain falls to the Commanders and what a selection it would be for head coach Dan Quinn. Washington’s defense needs some youth on their defense, a unit that finished middle of the pack for sacks this past year. Bain has a knack for pressuring the quarterback and would be a perfect fit in Quinn’s defense.
Sharp Football Analysis (McCrystal)
Fantasy Life (Freedman)
Draft Countdown (Bosarge)
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
NFL.com (Zierlein)
Faulk has impressive size, can play in odd or even fronts and is still filling out his frame. The upside trumps the unremarkable 2025 production.
Vikings Wire (Burroughs)
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
CBS Sports (Wilson)
Parker is an explosive, high-motor edge rusher with the juice to both collapse pockets with a bull rush and the bend to win around the corner. He’s stout and disciplined against the run, from setting the edge, to blowing up plays in the backfield with his quickness. He shows surprising versatility, with the athleticism to drop into coverage from wide alignments and disrupt passing lanes.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
ESPN (Miller)
There might be criticism of a team using a top-10 pick on a safety, but this draft class lacks a ton of elite top-end talent at the premium positions. And Commanders coach Dan Quinn needs to tighten up a defense that allowed a league-worst 384.0 yards per game. Downs is a difference-maker in the mold of Derwin James Jr. or Kyle Hamilton who can dictate what an offense is able to do but also be a matchup problem in multiple alignments.
NFL.com (Reuter)
The Commanders take the best player on the board to be a long-term pillar of their defense. Downs can lead the squad from the back end and insert himself into plays around the box, thanks to his elite instincts.
Round 3: Logan Fano, EDGE, Utah
Pro Football Focus (Wasserman)
The Commanders need defensive playmakers, and Caleb Downs fits that profile. He currently sits atop PFF’s Big Board after earning a PFF grade of at least 85.0 in each of his three collegiate seasons while helping lead Alabama and Ohio State to the College Football Playoff. Downs’ instincts and consistency would provide an immediate boost to Washington’s secondary.
The Draft Network (Sanchez)
The perception is that the Washington Commanders severely underperformed compared to expectations. But in my opinion, the Commanders’ roster deficiencies really showed during the 2026 season. One of those deficiencies is the secondary. So while the Commanders could address a need on offense, I think they go defense and draft do-it-all defender Caleb Downs to help boost this secondary.
Pro Football Network (Randall)
Per NextGen Stats, the Commanders were (slightly) bottom-half in pressure and sack percentage this season, and in get-off time. Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey would unquestionably elevate their efforts in getting after the quarterback, so such a selection would not surprise me.
It comes down to the belief that the combination of Downs and a pass rusher later is superior to the duo of Bailey and a safety later, if ever so slightly. Downs is a tone setter and a top-three football player in this draft class, sans any discussion regarding positional value. He will prove impactful for an extended period of time.
Round 2: Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee
The Commanders have waited patiently since their last pick. They’re rewarded with “a quality rotational presence with serviceable starting appeal in odd-front schemes, but he needs to improve his power element before he can reach his ceiling as a quality two-phase starter.” Josephs will look to boost a mostly bland edge-rushing group.
FanSided (Williams)
Draft Notes: Two-time unanimous All-American and three-time All-Conference; top-tier athlete with unreal versatility; return potential on special teams
In previous mock drafts, I’ve been giving the Commanders a young shot in the arm in terms of an edge rusher. While I still wouldn’t hate that, the thought of a team that needs high-end youth on defense passing on Caleb Downs feels strange. Downs is a do-it-all playmaker, literally, on the back end. He also feels like the type of player that Dan Quinn will be completely enamored with in Washington.
USA Today (Camenker)
Copilot is continuing the trend outlined by many of giving the Commanders a defensive player. However, it chose to give Styles to the team over a player like Rueben Bain Jr. or Caleb Downs. Why? The chatbot expressed confidence that Styles would be a three-down linebacker who could change the complexion of Washington’s defense.
Vikings Wire (Harbaugh)
Dan Quinn is facing a critical year in 2026, and he will want his defense firing on all cylinders. Caleb Downs can be installed as both a starter and leader in his defense as the team looks to have that side of the ball complement the explosive offense they have with Jayden Daniels.
Saturday Blitz (Rome)
Dan Quinn is going to need a bounce-back season in 2026, otherwise he could find himself looking for a new job. Quinn’s veteran-heavy defense struggled this season, and he needs to find difference-makers this offseason. Caleb Downs could become the ultimate chess piece for this defense with an ability to line up all over the field, which would help mask this defense’s issues.
NFL Trade Rumors (Woodie)
This is probably where Downs’ range begins. The Commanders had the worst secondary in the league last year and Downs is a blue-chip prospect with insane college production. He can play multiple positions and would immediately upgrade both phases of Washington’s defense.
Clutch Points (Crean)
The best pound-for-pound player in this draft won’t slip out of the top 10 as safety Caleb Downs goes to the Commanders in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft. Downs is an all-around playmaker who will give some Washington fans flashbacks to the late, great Sean Taylor. Yes, drafting a safety this high is a risky proposition, but Downs is a special player, and adding a young superstar to the back end of the defense will help Dan Quinn get the D back where it needs to be
Fantasy Sports on SI (Morales-Smith)
Many people believe that Downs is the best defensive player in this draft. Washington desperately needs help in their secondary and this is a great start.
Fantasy Pros (Kamlowsky)
Caleb Downs is the best safety prospect in the draft, and while I know safeties rarely go in the top 10, he is one of the better ones to come out in the last decade.
Downs gives Washington a quarterback in the secondary, as he will be able to get them into coverages immediately. He is one of the most technically sound defenders in the draft and should help a unit that gave up the fifth-most passing yards per game in 2025.
Cat Scratch Reader (Belton)
The Commanders defense combined with injury issues for Jayden Daniels to create a very disappointing season in Washington. Dan Quinn will likely want to add some young targets for Daniels, but this feels a little expensive for the players available, especially considering just how good Downs is. It’s a premium price for a safety, but Downs will be worth it.
Bleacher Nation (Rooney)
Safety might not be considered a premier position, but Caleb Downs is an elite defender and playmaker on that side of the football. I think the Commanders would have a hard time passing on him if this is how the board shook out.
Bears Wire (Parise)
The Washington Commanders improve their defense with Caleb Downs, who can be considered the best overall player in the draft, depending on who you ask.
Panthers Wire (Rizzuti)
Head coach Dan Quinn gets his hands on one heck of a chess piece in Downs.
While taking a safety this high isn’t considered the best bit of business, this two-time unanimous All-American can break the mold—similarly to Baltimore Ravens star Kyle Hamilton.
Dynasty Nerds (Bishop)
One of the few blue chip prospects in this class, Caleb Downs has future All-Pro written all over him. The Commanders could use safety help. In 2025, they gave up 242.5 passing yards per game, which ranked 28th in the NFL. Safeties traditionally fall farther than they should in the NFL Draft, but I don’t think the NFL will make the same mistake with Downs after seeing the impact that a stud safety like Nick Emmanwori is having on the Seahawks defense on the way to a potential Super Bowl.
Downs is special. He is able to do it all. He can be a sideline to sideline ballhawk. Downs can come closer to the line and play an imposing nickel. He tackles well. Downs is explosive as a blitzer. His instincts are extremely impressive, often diagnosing a play before it develops. In the modern NFL, defensive coordinators are getting better and better at disguising coverages, but it helps to have versatile defenders. Downs would be the perfect fit to be the captain of the new age Commanders defense.
Roster Watch (Carpentier)
Draft Countdown (Menendez)
Mock Draft Database
Tankathon
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Fox Sports (Klatt)
The Commanders gave up the most passing yards in the league last season, so they have to address that side of the ball. Delane’s my top corner in this draft. So, a natural fit here.
Bleeding Green Nation (Natan)
The Commanders took a big step back this year due to their roster being mostly old guys. Now Dan Quinn can get some young defenders to hold down to the perimeters of the secondary.
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
NFL.com (Jeremiah)
Styles reminds me of Fred Warner, who was drafted by the 49ers when current Commanders GM Adam Peters was an executive in San Francisco’s front office. Keep in mind that Bobby Wagner is 35 and headed for free agency.
CBS Sports (Podell)
Styles is the perfect modern inside linebacker. He played his first two seasons at Ohio State as a safety before transitioning to linebacker, so he comes ready to roll in pass coverage. Styles is able to remain in range of slot receivers in the seam, and he can go step for step with tight ends from sideline to sideline. His wingspan allows him to have nice range as a tackler in the run and pass games. Styles blitzes with a jetpack attached to his back, easily steamrolling running backs attempting to pick him up in pass protection. Styles is a slam-dunk replacement for an aging Bobby Wagner, who is headed for free agency.
NBC Sports (Rogers)
With his size, range and three-down ability, Styles has some of the best tape of any prospect in this draft. The speed he would bring to the middle of the field would help get Dan Quinn’s unit back on track.
Dallas Morning News (Hoyt)
This may be a little high for a linebacker, but the Commanders decide to add some youth to their front seven. Styles has the look of a linebacker who could play a long time at a high level.
The Draft Network (Eisner)
Positional value be damned… oh wait, I used that line already. Dan Quinn’s defense is in serious need of reinforcements, and Sonny Styles brings legitimate high-end potential to the second level. Styles offers a rare blend of energy, versatility, and pass-rush ability, giving Washington a true chess piece on defense. His experience wearing the green dot at Ohio State speaks volumes about his leadership, communication skills, and football IQ—traits that should allow him to step in as an instant starter for the Commanders. While there’s understandable concern about the positional and financial value of drafting a linebacker this high, roster building ultimately comes down to adding good football players. Styles checks every box and has the upside to become a cornerstone of Quinn’s defense.
NFL Spin Zone (Scataglia)
Sonny Styles is inside the top-10 in our latest mock draft and heads to Washington, a team in dire need of talent on both sides of the ball.
Chiefs on SI (Feinberg)
The Commanders are getting old at linebacker, and there is a serious need to inject youth at the position. What better way to succeed Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu than selecting arguably the best pure linebacker in the draft? Styles has a missed tackle rate of zero percent before the quarterfinals game against Miami, brings a former safety background to the field, and is a genius at the position.
Blogging the Boys (Martin)
Bobby Wagner out, Sonny Styles in? The Commanders defense was pretty bad last year and Styles can step in as a rookie and immediately upgrade things. He’s a foundational piece they can build around for years to come.
Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Pro Football Focus (Sikkema)
Reese doesn’t have a ton of true coverage drops on his 2025 tape, but as a heat-seeking missile type of second-level defender, he can be a very impactful player. The Commanders need more off- and on-ball linebacker production, something with which Reese can help. He played 286 snaps in the box as an off-ball backer and 327 as an on-ball edge last season.
Pro Football Network (Cummings)
Arvell Reese is still very much a projection as a pass rusher, but the tools are such that it’s a comfortable projection to make. At his peak, he can be a game-wrecker. That’s upside the Commanders need to invest in if he’s there at the No. 7 overall pick.
At an incredibly lean and compact 6’4″, 243 pounds, with hyper-elite explosiveness, short-area correction, and cornering ability, Reese has the athletic tools to torture opposing blockers, as well as the raw, unhinged power to stack-and-shed, reverse run game displacement, and plow through shoulders with bull-rushes and long-arms.
Round 3: Skyler Bell, WR, UConn
Skyler Bell was a dominant producer in 2025; with 10″ mitts at 5’11”, 187 pounds, he’s a strong-handed pass-catcher with energized, explosive athleticism and high-end separation ability from all alignments.
Round 5: VJ Payne, SAF, Kansas State
Round 6: Dan Villari, TE, Syracuse
Round 6: Tyreak Sapp, EDGE, Florida
Round 7: Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
Bleacher Report (Knox)
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
NFL.com (Parr)
There might not be a better way to help Jayden Daniels bounce back from a rough Year 2. With Love joining the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year in the Commanders’ backfield, Washington’s run game would be dizzying to defend.
NFL Spin Zone (Bedinger)
The Commanders would probably prefer to get their hands on David Bailey or Rueben Bain here in the 1st round, but Jeremiyah Love wouldn’t be a bad consolation for them. The running back position has some nice secondary types of players right now for new offensive coordinator David Blough, but having a featured weapon like Love would be huge.
Blough comes from Detroit where he saw the value of having a back who has the explosiveness and three-down abilities of someone like Love, and how much of a game-changer that can be for an offense overall. The Commanders have plenty of other needs to look at addressing, but someone like Love is a game-changing weapon that can cause you to reevaluate your draft plan overall.
It would be huge for Jayden Daniels to have a playmaker like this to share the load, and Blough could really build something special with those two in the backfield.
Round 3: Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee
Roto Baller (Gregory)
We are sticking with Love here, since the best prospect in the class can help Jayden Daniels stay healthy and ascend. Remember, Commanders GM Adam Peters was part of the 49ers front office that traded for Christian McCaffrey.
Walter Football
Jacory Croskey-Merritt was a fun story because he liked to be called Bill for some reason, but the Redskins need to make sure that Jayden Daniels can lean on a potent rushing attack so that he’s not taking too many hits.
Jeremiyah Love is a powerful, downhill runner with plus receiving ability.
Round 3: Keyron Crawford, DE, Auburn
The Redskins struggled to get to the quarterback last year, so they’ll need to find some new pass rushers.
Keyron Crawford is a raw pass rusher who had decent production at Auburn.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
ESPN (Yates)
The Commanders have made it clear that they need to get younger on defense, so a pass rusher could be tempting here. But they can’t overlook their need for another receiver opposite Terry McLaurin. Tate had a fantastic 2025 season and is one of most pro-ready prospects in the class. He’s a terrific route runner who makes difficult catches look routine with his awesome hands and body control. Tate averaged more than 17 yards per catch in 2025 and had at least one 40-plus-yard catch in six games. That sort of field-stretching speed and tracking ability could make him an ideal option for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Fox Sports (Rang)
No one needs to remind Washington head coach Dan Quinn about the importance of protecting quarterback Jayden Daniels, and the best way of doing that with this pick might be to bolster a receiving corps that, frankly, didn’t live up to expectations. Big and smooth, Tate would add a dynamic downfield presence to add some vitality to a group of pass-catchers overly reliant on 30-year-old Terry McLaurin as Deebo Samuel and Zach Ertz head to free agency.
CBS Sports (Renner)
The Commanders need an injection of youth into their aging receiving corps. We saw how much their downfield passing attack suffered when Terry McLaurin was out of the lineup last season. Tate is the best big-play threat in the class with the kind of ball skills that pair perfectly with Jayden Daniels’ elite deep ball.
The Big Lead (Risdon)
It might be a little too convenient to plug in the well-heeled Tate for aging vet, and fellow Buckeye alum, Terry McLaurin, but watching the Washington offense without an injured McLaurin proved the dire need for Tate’s skills.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Sporting News (Iyer)
The Commanders need to reboot at wide receiver away from field-stretching No. 1 Terry McLaurin. Tyson is a smooth good-hands route-runner who uses his frame well to get open all over the field through the red zone.