We’re back with another mock draft roundup as the NFL prepares for the conference championship games on Sunday. The Washington Commanders were still in playoffs at this time last year season, but not after they finished with a 5-12 record, and the No. 7 overall pick in this year’s draft. The Commanders shook up their coaching staff after that massively disappointing season, with assistant QB coach David Blough replacing offensive coordinator, and assistant OL coach Darnell Stapleton replacing OL coach Bobby
Johnson. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr was also fired, and the search for his replacement continues after two of their top options stayed with their teams.
This roundup has 38 mock drafts and 23 of them feature EDGE rushers. Miami’s Rueben Bain and Texas’s David Bailey are tied for the most popular choice, with 10 mocks sending them to D.C. Auburn’s Kevin Faulk rounds out the group with his name called twice for Washington this week.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr went with Bailey in our last roundup, but has the Texas pass rusher going to the Tennessee Titans at No. 4 overall for new head coach Robert Saleh. The Commanders get the consolation prize of Miami’s Reuben Bain who Kiper said “has a great mix of power, speed and bend, and the Commanders could move him around on the defensive line to create mismatches.” Lack of pressure due to injuries and lack of top talent severely limited Washington’s defense last season, and Adam Peters stated the team needed to add more pass rushers in his post-season presser.
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs continues to be a Top-10 pick, and he gets called the best player in the draft a lot….for a safety. He’s picked for Washington 10 times in this week’s roundup, one less time than in our last roundup. People will argue the positional value isn’t there for a safety this high, but Washington’s defense continues to have a need at the position. Downs is a smart player who would elevate a defense that needs a new direction.
There are two more edge rushing options with Keldrick Faulk and Cashius Howell rounding out the biggest position group need for Washington. Ohio State LB Arvell Reese is expected to be a Top-5 pick, but gets linked to Washington one time this week to give fans a glimmer of hope.
Wide receiver and running back round out the roundup, with two picks each. Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate have been getting mentions for the Commanders new offense under Blough. Kiper has Tate going No. 5 overall to John Harbaugh’s new version of the New York Football Giants. Love goes to the Kansas City Chiefs to work with the returning Eric Bieniemy. The weapon Patrick Mahomes needs to comeback from a playoffs-season?
Position selections:
WR – 2
RB – 2
EDGE – 23
LB – 1
S – 10
Where will Washington pick, and who/what position should they take next year?
Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami
E$PN (Kiper)
NFC East quarterbacks and offensive tackles aren’t going to be happy if Washington goes
this way. Bain knows how to reach the quarterback, with 9.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss
in 2025 (including a sack and 2.5 TFLs on Monday night against Indiana in the national
title game). He has a great mix of power, speed and bend, and the Commanders could
move him around on the defensive line to create mismatches. Von Miller led the team with
nine sacks this season, but he will turn 37 in March and isn’t under contract for 2026. This
is a clear need for Washington after the defense allowed 6.0 yards per play, tied for third
worst in the league.By the way, this would be only the third time in the common draft era (since 1967) that
multiple Miami players went in the top 10 (2004 and 1987).
Yahoo Sports (McDonald/Tice)
Washington desperately needs to get younger and more explosive in the front seven, and gets a gift with Bain falling to the seventh pick. There have been concerns about Bain’s arm length and how that will affect him in the NFL, but he’s got the build and athleticism to bully offensive tackles off the edge. He’d be a perfect fit in Dan Quinn’s front that will ask him to play with aggression.
USA Today (Middlehurst-Schwartz)
After wrecking college football throughout the season, Bain presents a fascinating dilemma to teams on how closely they want to cling to prototypes. Listed at 6-3 and 275 pounds, he’s almost sure to fall short of the arm-length measurements that some organizations demand of their edge rushers. But in marrying overwhelming power with an unrelenting approach, he’s carved a place for himself as an extremely vexing matchup. Washington might be more inclined than most to look past any perceived imperfections, as the Commanders’ defensive line is short on true disruptors.
Fox Sports
Bain might have the best film of any edge player in this draft, dominating teams like Notre Dame, Florida, Texas A&M, and Ohio State. In that first round CFP game, he had a whopping three sacks against an Aggies offensive line that had given up just 12 in 12 games.
Bain is also an elite run stopper and can move inside when needed. According to PFF, he’s the only edge player in FBS to have over 500 pass-rushing snaps with a pass-rush grade over 90. He also has the fifth-highest run defense grade (87.1) of any edge rusher with at least 200 run defense snaps.
Bain is the perfect player for a Dan Quinn defense.
FanSided (Williams)
Draft Notes: Nearly a 25% pressure rate in 2025; 66 hurries and 11 sacks as junior; concerns about arm length
We might get to witness Dan Quinn doing cartwheels in the Commanders’ draft room if Washington were to be lucky enough to have Rueben Bain Jr. fall into their laps here. While Reese, with his versatility, gets shine for what he can do as a pass-rusher, Bain is a more of a pure artist in that capacity off the edge. Against all levels of competition, he’s been a menace. And while there are some concerns about his arm length, he has the burst and get-off, combined with savvy in terms of his moves to generate pressure, that can give the Washington defense a massive injection of juice.
NFL Mocks (Basile-vaughan)
There is going to be a debate on whether Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr or Texas Tech’s David Bailey is the best edge rusher in the draft. Bailey has more sacks, but Bain Jr. is a player who brings attitude to the field and backs it up with his explosive first step and high motor. There is some question about his arm length, but Bain makes that up in other areas. With 46 tackles, 8.5 sacks in 2025, Bain will put any concerns to rest if he helps lead the Miami Hurricanes in shutting down Mendoza and the Indiana Hoosiers in the National Championship Game.
Bleacher Nation (Flowers)
Bain is a disruptive, relentless edge presence — the type of defender Dan Quinn covets to build a faster, more aggressive front.
Stadium Rant (Willey)
The Commanders have a talented team led by a former Offensive Rookie of the Year QB. Their biggest hurdle right now is finding youth. They currently have one of the oldest rosters in the NFL and could lose key players in the coming seasons.
If Reese falls this far, he’ll go to Washington, but since he likely won’t, they’ll grab another top-tier defender. Rueben Bain is a versatile machine that can instill some juice into this team. The Commanders’ defense needs strength, and they’ll get it here.
Fantasy Sports on SI (Morales-Smith)
Bain is a steal at pick No. 7, and the Commanders will be lucky to get him here if the draft falls this way. They need defensive help, and the best possible outcome is a stud pass rusher.
TWSN (Bradshaw)
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas
The Athletic (Brugler)
I understand the argument that the Commanders should lean offense with this pick to help their young quarterback. But their defense was atrocious this season, with a noticeable lack of juice, especially off the edges.
With his explosive twitch and raw power, Bailey is one of the most disruptive rush pieces that this draft has to offer.
Sporting News (Iyer)
The Commanders need to get young, more explosive and tougher vs. the run in the pass rush and Bailey can give Dan Quinn all of that in the transition to a new defensive coordinator for his system.
SB Nation (Dator/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.
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.
Round 5: Jack Endries, TE, Texas
Round 6: Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State
Round 6: Arion Carter, LB, Tennessee
Round 7: TJ Hall, CB, Iowa
Sports Illustrated (Flick)
Commanders coach Dan Quinn parted ways with both coordinators, and his team could go either direction with its first pick. But Washington had one of the NFL’s worst defenses this past season in both yards and points allowed, and Quinn, a defensive-minded coach, will likely address that side first. Bailey is a Quinn-esque pass rusher—disruption is his calling card, as he led the FBS in pressures through Texas Tech’s loss in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Bailey is quick off the snap and can win with bend around the arc, with power through the offensive tackle or with an inside counter.
Draft Wire (Popejoy)
The Commanders have holes on both sides of the football so we go with the highest-rated play on our board in Bailey, who can control a game as a pass rusher.
NFL Spin Zone (Scataglia)
The Commanders need to take the best pass rusher available with this selection. Getting consistent pressure off the edge could vault this team back into the postseason.
Saturday Blitz (Rome)
Dan Quinn is going to have a ton of pressure on him next season after a season where the team regressed and he shook up the coaching staff. This defense didn’t have a player post a ton of production rushing the passer aside from Von Miller’s 9 sacks which the team can’t count on. David Bailey was the most productive pass rusher in the Country, and he could help transform Quinn’s unit in 2026.
Clutch Points (Crean)
The Commanders must beef up their pass rush next season, and David Bailey can get after the quarterback. He led the FBS with 14.5 sacks and the Big 12 with 19.5 tackles for a loss. That kind of pass rusher will thrive in Dan Quinn’s defense.
NFL Mocks (Blair)
Washington must upgrade a defense that gave up 27 points per game last season and struggled to pressure the quarterback. Texas Tech’s David Bailey led the nation with 74 pressures and finished second with 13.5 sacks, giving the Commanders a much-needed difference-maker off the edge.
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
CBS Sports (Wilson)
First, Faulk just turned 20 years old in September. Second, he’s unofficially 6-foot-6 and 288 pounds, and he is already near-elite as a run defender. The power and athleticism with which he plays make it an easy projection to see him as a dominant pass rusher down the road. Maybe it doesn’t happen until, say, Year 2 in the league, but when it all comes together, it’s going to be scary.
San Diego Union~Tribune (Brown)
The Commanders’ biggest problem is they can’t keep Jayden Daniels healthy. Their second biggest problem is they need more playmakers at all three levels of their defense. Faulk is a 6-foot-6, 285-pound edge who was the No. 9 player on Bruce Feldman’s 2025 “Freaks List”, reportedly squatting 700 pounds and benching 415. He’s a versatile chess piece on the D-line in odd or even fronts, and has even shown the ability to standup and play outside linebacker. Faulk doesn’t turn 21 until next September. Top needs: Edge, LB, CB
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Pro Football Focus (McGuinness)
The Commanders will dream that one of the top two edge defenders falls to them at No. 7 overall, but if not, Howell would be a solid consolation prize. The Texas A&M standout earned a 90.3 PFF pass-rush grade and produced a 19.8% PFF pass-rush win rate in 2025.
Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Bleacher Report (Knox)
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
CBS Sports (Edwards)
Washington needs to add young players who can impact the game on defense. The preference would be an edge rusher, but a few of the top options are gone at this point. Auburn’s Keldric Faulk should be considered, but Downs is a safer bet.
Pro Football Focus (Chadwick)
The Commanders simply need difference makers on defense and can procure one of the very best players in the draft in Downs here. He has been an elite player ever since he arrived in college football as a five-star recruit in 2023, producing an elite 93.6 career PFF grade. Downs is one of the best safety prospects in recent memory and would transform Washington’s defense.
The Draft Network (Eisner)
Caleb Downs is a perfect match for Dan Quinn’s defense in Washington. He’s an incredibly instinctive player who can thrive anywhere on the field, whether he’s playing deep centerfield or flying up to stop the run. He brings the kind of leadership that should earn him a team captain role sooner rather than later. After a 2025 season where the Commanders’ secondary looked lost at times, Downs provides the stability and talent to be a future defensive cornerstone.
The Draft Network (Melo)
The Washington Commanders need a total revamp on defense. Dan Quinn let go of both coordinators, so it’ll largely be a fresh start in 2026. Safety Caleb Downs is a legitimate tone-setter with game-changing potential. Downs is the best overall prospect in the class, but positional value pushes him to the Commanders’ selection.
Fantasy Pros (Janvrin)
While safety may not be the most alluring position to take in the top 10, Caleb Downs may very well be the best overall player from this class. The Commanders get an easy win here at pick No. 7.
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 they’d have a hard time passing on him if this is how the board shook out.
GMENHQ (Luciano)
There’s a strong argument to be made that Downs is the best player in this draft, and the tissue-thin Commanders defense would likely jump at the chance to add someone who is the best safety prospect since Kyle Hamilton years ago.
Draft Countdown (Bosarge)
Mock Draft Database
Tankathon
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Pro Football Network (Decker)
What could go wrong did go wrong for the Commanders in 2025. The organization needs a reset, and adding another weapon would give Jayden Daniels much-needed support in a passing game that grossly underperformed a year ago.
Walter Football (Campbell)
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Washington needs to give Jayden Daniels more receiving talent. Here’s a wideout to pair with Deebo Samuel.
Tyson had 61 catches for 711 yards and eight touchdowns while missing some time with injuries. On top of being a good wideout, Tyson has blocked well. Tyson was a dangerous weapon for the Sun Devils in 2024 as he hauled in 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. Tyson is quick with easy acceleration. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder has adequate size and showed big-play ability in 2022, averaging 21.4 yards per reception (22-470-4). Team sources have durability concerns with Tyson as he missed time with injuries in each season in college.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
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.
A to Z Sports
I’m going to live in a world where Jayden Daniels is healthy and returns to his 2024 form in 2026. One way to help ensure that: make sure he has a reliable run game. Love is one of the better prospects in this class, and he will bring a level of juice and competitiveness that has been absent from the Commanders’ backfield.
