Washington drafts edge rusher, running back, center, quarterback on day 3

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April 26, 2026

by Steve Thomas

Washington drafted edge rusher Joshua Josephs with the 7th pick in round 5, running back Kaytron Allen with the 6th pick in round 6, center Matt Gulbin with the 28th pick in round 6, and quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis with the 7th pick in round 7 of the 2026 NFL draft.

Round 5, pick 7 (147 overall): edge rusher Joshua Josephs, Tennessee

Josephs spent four years at the University of Tennessee, playing in a total of 48 games, and made 104 total tackles, including 51 solo and 22 for loss, plus 9.5 sacks.  In 2025, he played in 11 and started games, and made 33 tackles, including 17 solo and 6 for loss, plus 4 sacks, and a 16.8% pressure percentage.  He was essentially a situational pass rusher for Tennessee in 2025.

At the NFL Combine, he was measured at 6’3” 1/8 and 242 pounds, but did not participate in the athletic tests.  However, he ran the 40 yard dash in 4.73 seconds at Tennessee’s Pro Day.  Analysts note that his 34 1/4 inch arm length is a benefit in pass rushing.  He is viewed as a player who competes with effort on the field.  Analysts noted that Josephs only has one basic pass rushing move, which will limit his effectiveness in the NFL.  Josephs will compete for a roster spot with a significant number of edge rushers.

Round 6, pick 6 (187 overall): RB Kaytron Allen, Penn St.

Allen played a total of 54 games in his four years at Penn St.  In total, he had 769 carries for 4180 yards, 5.4 yards per carry, and 39 touchdowns, plus 70 receptions for 490 yards, 7.0 yards per carry, and another 4 touchdowns.  In 2025, Allen played in 12 games, and had 210 carries for 1303 yards, 6.2 yards per carry, and 15 touchdowns, plus 18 receptions for 68 yards, for 3.8 yards per reception, and earned Second-team All-American honors.

At the NFL Combine, he was measured at 5’11” 3/8ths and 216 pounds, but did not run the 40 yard dash or the other athletic tests.  His 40 time is rumored to be a fairly wide range, somewhere between 4.45 and 4.6 seconds.  Scouts see him as a very productive back with below-average explosiveness by NFL standards.  He isn’t viewed as three-down player.  Most analysts projected Allen to be a backup or rotational player in the NFL.  He’ll compete with Jerome Ford and Jeremy McNichols for a spot on the active roster.

Round 6, pick 28 (209 overall): C Matt Gulbin, Michigan St.

Gulbin spent a total of 5 years in college, including 4 years at Wake Forest from 2021 through 2024 and then with Michigan St. in 2025.  During that time, he played in a total of 51 games, including 34 starts in 3 seasons.  He earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2023 and Second-Team All-American honors with Michigan St. in 2025.

Gulbin was measured at 6’3” 5/8ths and 305 pounds at the NFL Combine, with an arm length of 31 3/4 inches, but did not participate in either the athletic tests or the on-field drills due to a season-ending knee injury toward the end of the 2025 season.  He is rumored to be back to 100% health.

Draft analysts see Gulbin as a very consistent player who is skilled at climbing vertically to the second level, but one whose ability to move laterally is more limited.  Also, his short arms are seen as a negative.  Overall, his experience and consistency give him a chance to make the roster, probably behind Nick Allegretti, particularly if he can show skill as a guard as well.

Round 7, pick 7 (223 overall); QB Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers

Kaliakmanis spent a total of 5 years in college, including 3 seasons at Minnesota from 2021 through 2023 and two years at Rutgers in 2024 and 2025.  He redshirted in 2021.  During that time, he played in a total of 48 games, including 23 at Minnesota and 25 at Rutgers, and completed 658 passes in 1168 attempts, for a 56.3% completion percentage, 8604 yards, 7.4 yards per attempt, 55 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions.  Kaliakmanis started for part of the 2023 season and in all of 2024 and 2025.  In 2025, he played in 12 games, and made 229 completions in 368 attempts, for a 62.2% completion percentage, 3124 yards, 8.5 yards per attempt, 20 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions.

Kaliakmanis did not participate in the NFL Combine, but is 6’2” and 216 pounds.  Most scouts see him as a game manager-type of quarterback.  Certainly, his completion percentage is low, particularly for a collegiate quarterback, but draft analysts noted that he looked better in that regard in 2025, to the point that he became a candidate for the NFL.  In Washington, he’ll complete with Sam Hartman for the third string role.

Washington’s reported undrafted free agent signings

  • Fred Davis II, CB, Northwestern
  • Quentin Moore, TE, Washington
  • Jeffrey M’ba, DT, SMU
  • Chris Hilton Jr., WR, LSU
  • Jaden Bradley, WR, UNLV
  • Robert Henry, Jr., RB, University of Texas – San Antonio
  • Tanoa Togiai, G, Utah
  • Malik Spencer, S, Michigan St.

Please note that these names came from various media reports.  The Hog Sty isn’t claiming to report any of these signings.  The team itself has not yet announced any undrafted free agent signings.