2026 Road to the Draft – Part 2

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January 21, 2026

By Noonefromtampa

Roster – Coaching Staff Updates

There are no roster updates at this point. The Commanders did fill two open coaching positions on the offensive side of the ball by hiring DJ Williams, son of Doug Williams, as quarterbacks coach and Danny Etling as assistant quarterbacks coach. They still need a defensive coordinator and offensive line coach.

Draft Data

The number of mocks being tracked rose from 72 in week 2 to 82 this week. The distribution by position is:

Position Picked Count Picked % Last Week % % Change
Edge 39 47.56% 47.22% 0.34%
S 24 29.27% 25.00% 4.27%
WR 7 8.54% 8.33% 0.20%
LB 6 7.32% 9.72% -2.41%
RB 4 4.88% 4.17% 0.71%
DL 2 2.44% 2.78% -0.34%
CB 0 0.00% 2.78% -2.78%
OT 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
QB 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
IOL 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
TE 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Grand Total 82 100%  

The mock prognosticators realize that Washington needs to its pass rush and that’s why almost 50% of picks focus on edge rushers.

Washington holds the 7th pick in the first round. The players mocked to Washington with that pick are:

Player Position School Picked Count Picked %
Caleb Downs S Ohio State 24 29.27%
Rueben Bain Edge Miami 18 21.95%
David Bailey Edge Texas Tech 17 20.73%
Arvell Reese LB Ohio State 6 7.32%
Jordyn Tyson WR Arizona State 4 4.88%
Keldric Faulk Edge Auburn 4 4.88%
Jeremiyah Love RB Notre Dame 4 4.88%
Carnell Tate WR Ohio State 3 3.66%
Peter Woods DL Clemson 2 2.44%
Grand Total 82 100.00%

Draft Thoughts

Realistically, the Commanders could draft for any position on defense with the talent and scheme issues they had this past season. Dan Quinn and Adam Peters stated in the end of season press conference that the pass rush would be addressed with offseason moves.

Looking at the leading defensive line players, four players stand out

  • Rueben Bain Jr. from Miami, 6’3” and 275 lbs.
  • Peter Woods from Clemson, 6’3” and 315 lbs.
  • Keldric Faulk from Auburn, 6’6” and 285 lbs.
  • David Bailey from Texas Tech, 6’3” and 250 lbs.

Bain and Faulk are the best “pure” 4-3 defensive ends in the group. They have the size and ability to set the edge in run defense as well as the ability to rush the passer. There is debate over whether Woods is best suited inside or outside on the line. He is versatile enough to play either way.

Bailey is the best pass rusher in the group with 14.5 sacks this past season. The issue with Bailey is size in the run game and is more suited for a hybrid linebacker position where he can rush or cover. At 250 pounds he can get overmatched by offensive linemen and get washed out in the run game.