The views and opinions expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of the team.
In anticipation of the 2026 NFL Draft, which will be held April 23 - 25 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, here's a compilation of various league experts' predictions about what the Washington Commanders will do with the No. 7 overall pick. Check back weekly until the draft for more updates.
Expert: Eric Froton, ProFootballTalk
Selection: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (Feb. 23)
Analysis: Unanimous All-American and Big-12 Defensive Player of the Year David Bailey (6'3/250) delivered a phenomenal campaign in 2025 while earning an elite 93.6 overall PFF grade for his standout play. He was consistently disruptive off the edge, piling up 81 total pressures that included 14.5 sacks, 23 hits, and 43 hurries, while also batting 2 passes at the line of scrimmage. His ability to create consistent pressure against multiple NFL-caliber tackles makes Bailey one of the most coveted 2026 NFL Draft edge defenders.
Expert: Dalton Wasserman, Pro Football Focus
Selection: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (Feb. 23)
Analysis: Bobby Wagner's free agency looms over the Commanders. If he leaves, the team will need a new leader in the middle of their defense. Styles showed he can fill that role after earning an 88.6 PFF overall grade and missing just two tackles during the 2025 season.
Expert: Gennaro Filice, NFL.com
Selection: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (Feb. 20)
Analysis: Dan Quinn's defense just bottomed out, ranking 27th in points allowed and dead last in total D. The unit has needs on all three levels, but this safety can also provide a necessary culture boost, as a high-IQ alpha who just captained Ohio State's top-ranked defense. Downs might lack the raw physical traits to blow up the NFL Scouting Combine, but he offers the mature, versatile game to immediately thrive in today's multiple-defense league.
Expert: Black Brockmeyer, CBS Sports
Selection: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Texas (Feb. 23)
Analysis: Bailey is a natural pass rusher who wins with speed off the edge and shows exceptional quickness in condensed spaces. He's a dynamic player who can wreck a game and has slightly improved his run defense this season. His highest upside comes as a pure pass rusher, thanks to his explosive get-off and twitch off the edge. The Commanders' pass rush last season was one of the worst in the league.
Expert: Josh Camaker, USA Today
Selection: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (Fed. 16)
Analysis: The Commanders would probably like to land one of the top-three edge rushers here, but all are off the board. Instead, they will settle for Downs, who fills a need at safety and is arguably the best player in the draft. The Ohio State product has great football IQ and was excellent in coverage for the Buckeyes. He should quickly emerge as a difference-maker in the NFL.
Expert: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com
Selection: Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State (Feb. 17)
Analysis: Reese provides Washington some explosiveness and versatility. He might be a tougher projection than some of the other pass rushers in this year's draft, given that he split time between edge rusher and off-ball linebacker for the Buckeyes. Reese has the highest upside of the group, though.
Expert: Gordon McGuinness, Pro Football Focus
Selection: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (Feb. 16)
Analysis: An edge defender would be a strong consideration here for the Commanders, and they'd likely sprint the card in for either Rueben Bain Jr. or David Bailey. However, there's something to be said for adding an elite talent if one falls. Love, who earned PFF overall grades above 90.0 in each of the past two seasons, could pair Jayden Daniels to give the Commanders their version of the Baltimore Ravens' rushing attack featuring Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
