Jan. 17, 2026, 7:45 a.m. ET

With the divisional round of the playoffs taking place this weekend, every team except the eight that are playing is in full offseason mode. This is a crucial time for struggling teams like the Washington Commanders to analyze their rosters and determine which player moves to make when free agency comes, which players to keep, and in April, which players to draft. Putting together a roster that fits together is imperative to a winning season.

The Commanders will have a lot of options when it comes time for their No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Many believe they should use this pick to get an offensive weapon to pair with Jayden Daniels, but others believe they should look to the defensive side of the ball, which was atrocious in 2025. In Dane Brugler’s latest mock draft, he suggests the Commanders pick up David Bailey, an edge rusher out of Texas Tech.

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.

The Commanders have five edge rushers who will become free agents in March. They may opt to re-sign a few of them, but they still need to add youth to their defense. GM Adam Peters has brought in some necessary pieces for the Commanders, but they aren’t exactly young bucks who will be around for years to come. They need to bring in guys who can take over when the veterans retire.

Bailey began his collegiate career at Stanford before transferring to Texas Tech in 2025. The transfer was good for him as he had his best season in 2025. He recorded 52 tackles (32 solo), three pass deflections, 14.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, 13 quarterback hits, and 19.5 tackles for a loss. At 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, Bailey is athletic and fast for his size, making him a prime target for Washington in 2026.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.