The Commanders will be switching defensive schemes this season under newly hired defensive coordinator Daronte Jones. Jones got his start in the NFL as an assistant defensive backs coach under Vance Joseph in Miami. After stints with the Bengals, and one year as DC at LSU, he landed with the Vikings, where he spent four years as defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator under Brian Flores.
It remains to be seen how much Jones will put his own stamp on the defense. But it is a safe bet that
it will strongly resemble the Flores scheme that he helped run in Minnesota. The Vikings’ defense is linebacker-centric, and is predicated on keeping the opposing quarterback under constant pressure. It is nominally a 3-4 base, but employs variable fronts to create opportunities for linebackers to make plays in the backfield against the run and blitzing the passer. On passing downs, off-ball linebackers and edge rushers might rush the passer or drop into coverage to keep the offense guessing. Unlike traditional defenses, blitzes are frequently supported by zone coverage, instead of man. But it also makes use of man coverage in certain pressure looks as well.
If that’s what we are getting, it is an extremely demanding scheme on linebackers. The off-ball linebackers need to have sideline-to-sideline speed to stop the run. They need to excel at blitzing. And they need to be able to play in coverage.
Washington’s existing off-ball linebackers have the necessary athleticism, but it might push some limits to implement the “position agnostic” defense that Daronte Jones helped run in Minnesota. Even if they have the personnel to pull it off, the addition of a dynamic playmaker at linebacker has the potential to provide maximal impact on the Commanders’ defense.
This article is the third in my series using advanced statistics to identify prospects with the greatest potential to help the Commanders in the 2026 draft.
Linebackers
Safeties
Centers
In this article I used advanced performance metrics sourced from Pro Football Focus to screen for off-ball linebackers who excelled at stopping the run, blitzing the quarterback and playing in coverage. I then used athletic testing numbers and scouting reports to narrow the list down to players who should appeal to Daronte Jones and the front office. Jones is from the Vance Joseph tree, which values speed and length in defensive players. That should resonate with GM Adam Peters’ preference for filling the roster with athletic freaks.
And lastly, I let the Commanders’ Prospect Visit Tracker guide me to players the team has paid particular attention to in the pre-draft process. Most of the players listed in this article ranked near the top of the LB draft class in the key performance metrics detailed below. But I made exceptions for players the Commanders have met with multiple times or who draw comps to the Vikings’ linebackers.
Advanced Performance Metrics
To identify the best potential fits for a Flores-style defense, I screened the 2026 off-ball linebacker class using three primary metrics which I’ve used in my previous round-ups of draft prospects and free agents this offseason. I narrowed the pool for further analysis to 195 LB prospects who played a minimum of 200 defensive snaps in 2025. I was guided by consensus rankings, but didn’t restrict myself to consensus-ranked players, like in the CBs roundup.
Run Stop Rate
This is a simply the percentage of rushing downs on which a LB made a defensive stop. A stop is recorded when the defender holds the runner to less than 40% of the yards to gain on first down, 50% on second down, or prevents a conversion on third or fourth down. These are big plays, which cause the offense to fail.
Run Stop Rate is not a complete performance metric for run defense, but I think it is particularly apt for tje role that LBs play in the Flores defense. It might be less appropriate for nose tackles. Here are the key benchmarks for the 195 players evaluated in the 2026 LB draft class:
Pressure Rate
Pass rushing performance was measured by Pressure Rate, calculated as the percentage of pass rush attempts that generated a pressure (QB Hurry, QB Hit, Sack). Pressure Rate is a more robust statistical measure of pass rush performance on a down-to-down basis than sack counts, simply because the numbers are higher. But I also looked at sack counts and rates, because they are generally the highest impact pressures.
Rate of Yardage Allowed – Yards/Coverage Snap
The rationale for using Rate of Yardage Allowed as the primary metric for coverage performance was provided in my Free Agent CBs round-up. Yards per Coverage Snap is essentially the flip side of Yards per Route Run, which is the most granular metric for receiving productivity. The best coverage defenders might intercept the ball less than once every two games. But they impact the game on a down-to-down basis by preventing receivers to get open to draw targets and receptions. So it makes sense for containment of receiving yardage to the be the primary performance metric. But that’s not to say it was the only thing I looked at. I also paid attention to Interception Rate and pass breakups.
The following players are listed in order of Consensus Ranks, not preference.
First Round
Sonny Styles, Senior, Ohio State
6-5 | 244 lbs | 32.9” arms | 4.46 sec 40 | RAS 9.99 | Age 21
2025 Stats: 14 games | 82 Comb Tkl | 47 Stops | 1 FF | 1 Sack | 1 INT | 3 PD
Run Stop Rate: 11.3% (Rk 20)
Y/Cov Snp: 0.58
Pressure Rate: 23.1%
Consensus Rank: 6
Commanders Meeting: Combine, Team Pro Day, Top 30 Visit
If you built a linebacker in the lab to play in a Flores-style defense, he would look like Sonny Styles. Styles has the length and speed that Daronte Jones and Adam Peters covet.
Styles switched from safety to linebacker in 2024, and is still learning the finer points of the position. Even so, he ranked around the 90th percentile of the 2026 LB draft class in Run Stop Rate and the 78th percentile of Rate of Yardage Allowed in coverage.
Styles excels in man coverage, reflecting his background as a safety, but still has some work to do to become more consistent in his zone drops. Nevertheless, he was still around the 78th percentile in Rate of Yardage Allowed in coverage in his second year playing LB.
The weakest part of his game, from a productivity standpoint, was blitzing. But even there, he was significantly above class average in Pressure Rate on blitzes.
The Commanders have met with Styles three times, including a Top 30 Visit. He looks like a day one starter and instant upgrade to the second level of the Commanders’ defense. What position he plays is probably the wrong question in Daronte Jones’ position-agnostic defense. He is a three down player who can stop the run and blitz or drop on passing downs to keep the offense off balance.
Day 2
Jacob Rodriguez, 5th Year Senior, Texas Tech
6-1 | 231 lbs | 30.9” arms | 4.57 sec 40 | RAS 9.60 | Age 23
2025 Stats: 14 games | 63 Solo/82 Comb Tkl | 70 Stops | 7 FF | 1 FR TD | 1 Sack | 4 INT | 6 PD
Run Stop Rate: 15.3% (Rk 1)
Y/Cov Snp: 1.17
Pressure Rate: 15.0%
Consensus Rank: 45
Commanders Meeting: Combine
Rodriguez is a questionable inclusion because he is below average in coverage containment and generating pressure on blitzes. But he was so good in run defense and generating turnovers that I had to include him. He led the LB draft class in Run Stop Rate (tied with UTEP’s Micah Davey), had the most total defensive stops among consensus-ranked LBs, and led the Big 12 in solo tackles for two years in a row.
While his Rate of Yardage Allowed in coverage was well above average, he was good in pass defense, once the ball was thrown, logging 4 INTs to 2 TDs allowed and 6 pass breakups. He intercepted 6.0% of targets, which was the 24th highest Interception Rate in the LB class (88th percentile).
Rodriguez will only be a consideration in a trade scenario. If Adam Peters acquires a second-round pick, Rodriguez could provide an upgrade to the run defense and move the turnover differential in the right direction against the run and pass.
Anthony Hill Jr, Junior, Texas
6-2 | 238 lbs | 32.4” arms | 4.51 sec 40 | RAS 9.81 | Age 21
2025 Stats: 10 games | 69 Comb Tkl | 30 Stops | 3 FF | 4 Sacks | 2 INT | 1 PD
Run Stop Rate: 8.6%
Y/Cov Snp: 0.81
Pressure Rate: 18.6%
Consensus Rank: 49
Commanders Meetings: None
Like Rodriguez, Hill nearly missed the cut, because he was just above average in Run Stop Rate and Rate of Yardage Allowed, and just below average in Pressure Rate on blitzes. But what he lacked in those productivity metrics, he made up for with turnovers and sacks. His 7.1% Interception Rate when targeted placed him in the top 10% of the LB class.
Taking the whole picture into consideration, Hill could be an asset to the Commanders in both phases on defense, if they go another direction from Styles in the first round and find themselves picking in the second round.
Josiah Trotter, Sophomore, Missouri
6-2 | 237 lbs | 32.25” arms | Age 20
2025 Stats: 12 games | 84 Comb Tkl | 33 Stops | 2 Sacks | 0 INT | 1 PD
Run Stop Rate: 11.1% (Rk 25)
Y/Cov Snp: 0.97
Pressure Rate: 26.4%
Consensus Rank: 60
Commanders Meetings: None
Commanders’ fans who are concerned about the age of the roster might like Trotter. The son of All-Pro former Eagle and Redskin Jeremiah Trotter, declared for the draft after his sophomore season.
At this stage in his development, he is a great run defender and a very good pass rusher, satisfying two of three requirements. But he struggles with awareness and exchanges in zone coverage might keep him off Daronte’s board. At just 20 years old, he might be able to improve with coaching.
Trotter’s season was cut short by a boxer’s fracture in his hand, suffered in the Week 10 game against Georgia. It was healed by the Combine, where he logged the second most bench press reps (27) among LBs. If the Commanders do like him, he might be available at their third-round pick.
Day 3
Harold Perkins Jr, Senior, LSU
6-1 | 223 lbs | 31.4” arms | 4.40 sec 40 | Age 21
2025 Stats: 12 games | 56 Comb Tkl | 27 Stops | 1 FF | 4 Sacks | 3 INT | 3 PD
Run Stop Rate: 5.7%
Y/Cov Snp: 0.82
Pressure Rate: 23.7%
Consensus Rank: 122
Commanders Meetings: East-West Shrine, Combine, Team Pro Day
The Commanders have shown a lot of interest in Perkins.
He is an undersized player, who burst onto the scene with elite athleticism and production as a freshman and sophomore. He had solid production in 2025, coming back from an ACL tear suffered early in 2024, but lacked the explosiveness he showed before the injury.
The Commanders will need to assess whether he is still recovering from the injury and has a higher ceiling ahead of him. If he is still improving, he could be a steal, and might require some reshuffling of draft picks to acquire him.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr, Senior, TCU
6-2 | 234 lbs | 31.5” arms | 4.47 sec 40 | RAS 9.63 | Age 22
2025 Stats: 13 games | 130 Comb Tkl | 53 Stops | 4 Sacks | 0 INT | 2 PD
Run Stop Rate: 10.1%
Y/Cov Snp: 0.68
Pressure Rate: 19.5%
Consensus Rank: 133
Commanders’ Meetings: None
Elarms-Orr is one of the most productive ILBs in the draft class, and has the length, speed and athleticism to excite the coaching staff and front office.
He plays with impressive speed and agility, which translated to quality production at the college level. Elarms-Orr will need to work on improving his play recognition to crack a starting lineup at the pro level, but he has the athletic tools to get there.
He was a four-phase contributor on special teams in college. His floor is core special teamer at the pro level, with the upside to develop into a starter.
Keyshaun Elliott, Senior, Arizona State
6-2 | 231 lbs | 31.25” arms | 4.58 sec 40 | RAS 8.74 | Age 22
2025 Stats: 12 games | 98 Comb Tkl | 44 Stops | 7 Sacks | 0 INT | 2 PD
Run Stop Rate: 8.7%
Y/Cov Snp: 0.72
Pressure Rate: 57.7% (Rk 1)
Consensus Rank: 140
Commanders Meetings: None
Keyshaun Elliott was the most productive LB in the draft class at generating pressure on blitzes, and had the 7th most sacks at the position in the FBS, which should appeal to Daronte Jones. He plays with elite burst, vision and reactive quickness to be an effective run defender in the box. But he has average speed and agility.
Overall, he had just average productivity in run defense, and was just a little above average in coverage containment, despite his athletic limitations.
Elliott is a high IQ player, who wore the green dot on defense for two seasons at ASU. He is a fierce competitor, who plays with a non-stop motor. That is the type of player who can succeed in the NFL despite athletic limitations. He contributed in all phases on special teams in college, which provides an avenue to earn playing time early at the next level. He could be good value as a depth addition to the LB corps, if he is available at the Commanders’ fifth-round pick.
Taurean York, Junior, Texas A&M
5-11 | 226 lbs | 30” arms | 4.59 sec 40 | RAS 5.17 | Age 20
2025 Stats: 13 games | 73 Comb Tkl | 44 Stops | 1 Sack | 0 INT | 3 PD
Run Stop Rate: 9.5%
Y/Cov Snp: 0.58
Pressure Rate: 22.4%
Consensus Rank: 166
Commanders Meetings: East-West Shrine
York is another undersized LB who succeeds with quick read and react instincts, high football IQ, and a non-stop motor. He makes the list based on better than average productivity against the run, in coverage containment and pressuring the QB. But also because of comps to Ivan Pace, who was an effective off-ball LB with Daronte Jones in Minnesota.
Scouting reports comment on limitations in coverage, but they aren’t reflected in his stat line. York allowed a stingy 0.58 Y/Cov Snap in 2025, with 1 TD in 35 targets. He was a 3-phase contributor on special teams for the Aggies, with some tackle production.
Owen Heinecke, Junior, Oklahoma
6-1.5 | 227 lbs | 30.12” arms | 4.62 sec 40 | RAS 8.19 | Age 24
2025 Stats: 13 games | 74 Comb Tkl | 31 Stops | 3 Sacks | 1 FF | 0 INT | 4 PD
Run Stop Rate: 11.7% (Rk 16)
Y/Cov Snp: 0.54 (Rk 31)
Pressure Rate: 18.7%
Consensus Rank: 211
Commanders Meetings: Senior Bowl
Heinecke, with an ‘e’, is an undersized linebacker who wins with speed, agility, and a relentless motor. The former lacrosse player excels at slipping blocks to make tackles behind the line and sack the quarterback, a skillset which should translate to Daronte Jones’ attacking defense.
In his single season as a starter, his Run Stop Rate against SEC competition was in the top 8% of the LB class. He is capable of playing man coverage, with a Rate of Yardage Allowed in coverage at the 82nd percentile for the position. He’s also a standout special teamer with good tackle production on coverage units.
If his consensus rank is accurate, he could be a late Day 3 steal.
Khalil Elijah “Red” Murdock, Senior, Buffalo
6-2 | 232 lbs | 31” arms | 5.61 sec 40 | RAS 6.81 | Age 22
2025 Stats: 12 games | 135 Comb Tkl | 56 Stops | 6 Sacks | 6 FF | 0 INT | 4 PD
Run Stop Rate: 9.8% (Rk 54)
Y/Cov Snp: 0.55 (Rk 36)
Pressure Rate: 42.5% (Rk 3)
Consensus Rank: 218
Commanders Meetings: East-West Shrine
Murdock was a highly productive linebacker for the Buffalo Bulls, where he posted eye-popping stats against second-tier competition in the Mid-Atlantic Conference. His Pressure Rate on blitzes was the third highest in the LB draft class, and he had good sack production to go with it.
Murdock led the MAC in forced fumbles in 2025 and 2023 and led the entire FBS in 2024. His Run Stop Rate and Rate of Yardage Allowed in coverage were both well above average for the LB class.
The question is how well his elite production against MAC competition can translate to the pro level. Murdock wins with toughness and physicality, which give him a chance to claw his way onto an NFL roster. But athletic limitations might set his ceiling too low. I wouldn’t bet against him.
Round 7/UDFA
Jackson Kuwatch, Senior, Miami (OH)
6-4 | 232 lbs | 30.5” arms | 4.64 sec 40 | RAS 8.84 | Age 22
2025 Stats: 14 games | 109 Comb Tkl | 45 Stops | 5 Sacks | 0 FF | 0 INT | 1 PD
Run Stop Rate: 10.4% (Rk 39)
Y/Cov Snp: 0.36 (Rk 6)
Pressure Rate: 13.7%
Consensus Rank: 298
Commanders Meetings: Hula Bowl, East-West Shrine
Kuwatch flew under the media radar until late in the draft process. He has attracted interest from NFL teams, including two meetings with the Commanders and a Top 30 Visit with the Colts.
Kuwatch is an athletic linebacker, with NFL size, who does everything well. He posted very good productivity numbers against the run and in coverage. His Pressure Rate in the pass rush was below class average, but he had good sack production.
There is not a lot written about him, but he seems like he could be a sleeper late in the draft if the Colts don’t grab him first.
Declan Williams, Senior, Incarnate Word
6-0 | 236 lbs | 4.68 sec 40 | RAS 8.61
2025 Stats: 12 games | 92 Comb Tkl | 51 Stops | 4 Sacks | 0 FF | 1 INT | 0 PD
Run Stop Rate: 14.3% (Rk 3)
Y/Cov Snp: 0.48 (Rk 17)
Pressure Rate: 26.4% (Rk 37)
Consensus Rank: 388
Commanders Meeting: East-West Shrine
Williams is another small school prospect the Commanders met with at the East-West Shrine game. He posted elite run stopping figures in the Division I Southland Conference.
He profiles as an excellent run stopper, with a quick processor and burst to explode through ballcarriers. He is also an excellent blitzer with a top-18% Pressure Rate and good sack production. He may need to develop better eye discipline in coverage, but it didn’t show up as an issue in his coverage containment figures at the DI level.
If the Commanders are interested, he might be available in the seventh round or after the draft.
Shad Banks, 5th Yr Senior, UTSA
5-11 | 230 | 31.75” arms | 4.62 sec 40 | RAS 4.92 | Age 23
2025 Stats: 13 games | 94 Comb Tkl | 39 Stops | 2 Sacks | 1 FF | 3 INT | 2 PD
Run Stop Rate: 10.0%
Y/Cov Snp: 0.54
Pressure Rate: 32.1% (Rk 15)
Consensus Rank: 456
Commanders Meetings: Hula Bowl, American Bowl, East-West Shrine, Team Pro Day
Banks was a standout at the Shrine Bowl, where he showed impressive skills chasing down running backs, making plays in coverage and making tackles on special teams. The Commanders must be interested, because they have met with him four times. That might be a little surprising, given his poor athletic testing numbers, aside from his 40 time. But he seems to play fast.
In his final season at UTSA Banks achieved impressive numbers against the run, in coverage and as a blitzer. His production at UTSA marked a dramatic jump from his previous four years at TCU, which might be a cause for concern. He has contributed on special teams throughout his career, with good tackle production as a freshman and sophomore, when he got the most playing time.
He would be a low risk/high reward proposition as a UDFA signing after the draft.
One Surprise Omission
Arvell Reese Edge/LB, Junior, Ohio State
6-4 | 241 lbs | 4.46 sec 40
2025 Stats: 14 games | 69 Comb Tkl | 34 Stops | 6.5 Sacks | 0 INT | 2 PD
Run Stop Rate: 6.4%
Y/Cov Snp: 0.88
Pressure Rate: 22.7%
Consensus Rank: 2
Commanders Meetings: None
Arvell Reese is widely considered to be one of the top players in the draft. If consensus projections mean anything, he should be long gone when the Commanders pick. He played as a hybrid Edge/LB at Ohio State, but was not included in this round-up because he took more snaps at Edge (327) than ILB (286) in 2025. That makes his Pressure Rate not comparable to the other LBs. Blitzing ILBs generate higher rates of pressure than edge defenders, as a group, because they exploit gaps in protection, whereas edge rushers are typically assigned to offensive linemen.
If Reese had been included in the ILB sample, he still would not have made the cut, because his Run Stop Rate was well below average and his Rate of Yardage Allowed in coverage is also a little below median. His Pressure Rate would be elite for an ED, but it was inflated in that context by inclusion of pass rushes as a blitzing ILB.
Reese looks like a traits-based projection, who has not yet achieved elite-level productivity comparable to other prospects with top-7 projections. That might explain the absence of reported meetings with the Commanders.
