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The Washington Commanders currently hold six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Washington Commanders very well could have been scouting the player they plan to select with the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on day one of the scouting combine. The front seven took the field for their on-field drills following multiple days of interviews with numerous clubs. Among the prospects who performed on day one was Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker and edge Arvell Reese.
GettyOhio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese recorded 69 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, and two passes defensed in 2025.
Reese has been viewed as a “dream draft prospect” for the Commanders. His ability to play both edge and linebacker could fill two crucial roles for the team. Head coach Dan Quinn also has experience molding versatile linebackers into pro-ready pass-rushers, much like he did in Dallas with Micah Parsons. This has led to Reese becoming a popular mock draft candidate for Washington’s top-10 pick. However, this potential perfect pairing may have just been wrecked due to the New York Jets‘ most recent trade with the Tennessee Titans.
Washington Commanders May Lose Arvell Reese Due to Top-5 Draft Priority Shake-Up
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero announced on February 26 that New York will be sending defensive end Jermaine Johnson to the Titans in exchange for defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat. While these players benefit each other’s squads, they also alter their positional needs.
Dean Jones of Riggo’s Rag broke down how this move can negatively affect the Commanders’ chances to get Reese.
“The Jets hold the No. 2 pick. They already have a bendy edge rusher in Will McDonald IV, which would make David Bailey unrealistic,” Jones writes. “Now that they have stabilized the interior of Aaron Glenn’s defense, adding some explosiveness alongside or behind him is imperative. That makes Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. or Ohio State’s Arvell Reese among the most likely candidates.”
Jones goes on to elaborate that the Titans are now less likely to take a pure-pass rusher at third overall due to Jermaine Johnson now being on the team. Reese’s do-it-all ability now becomes even more coveted for them. He does state that there’s a chance the Titans choose to focus more on other positions of need. However, defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh is now at the helm, and they could very likely choose to get him a potential monster to play with.
Reese ranks fourth on NFL media analyst and former scout Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 prospect rankings, so there is a chance he wouldn’t have made it to the Commanders regardless. The recent trade only helps to push Washington’s odds further down the pipeline. Those odds decrease even more following Reese’s impressive combine performance.
Commanders Would Get a Potential Steal If Reese Falls To No. 7 Overall
Coming into the linebacker portion of the combine, it was expected that Ohio State’s Sonny Styles would steal the show. And he did just that, beginning the day with a record-setting vertical jump and ending it with an explosive on-field portion. Perhaps even more shocking was how Reese matched his fellow Buckeye teammates’ athleticism throughout the event.
Official 40-Yard Dash Times for LBs
Buckeyes leading the way 🌰
Reese tied Styles’ 4.46-second 40-yard dash time and looked equally as fluid and explosive throughout the drills. Both players very well could have boosted their already high-draft stock. Ultimately, anything can happen on draft day, but with the Commanders only possessing two picks in the first four rounds, they will need to hit it out of the park. If Reese slides to the seventh pick, general manager Adam Peters could hit another home run selection in the first round.
The draft will be pivotal to the Commanders’ chances of competing in the NFC next year. While there will be a talented player for them to select in the top-10 regardless, perhaps the perfect scenario will lead to Reese lining up in Washington for 2026.
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