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NFL Draft Preview: David Bailey, Rueben Bain & Caleb Downs<\/a><\/p>\n A quick preview look at 3 draft prospects frequenly mocked to the Commanders<\/p>\n Free agency is up first in a little over a month\u2019s time, but before jumping into free agent profiles, I\u2019d just take a quick look at a few of the draft prospects regularly being linked to the Commanders.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n So today, I thought I\u2019d do a draft preview post to give some thoughts on the three players I\u2019ve seen mocked to the Commanders most already, edge rushers David Bailey and Rueben Bain, and safety Caleb Downs. I\u2019ll state here that these thoughts are merely first impressions from having only seen a few games of these players. By no means is this a final evaluation on these guys. As I watch more of them and we get through the pre-draft processes like the combine and pro days and interviews, we\u2019ll learn a lot more about each prospect that will likely change these evaluations. But I thought it would still be fun to have a quick look at them as they\u2019re being talked about a lot by Commanders fans online right now.<\/p>\n David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech<\/p>\n Bailey\u2019s freakish athleticism and quickness stands out immediately when watching him. There won\u2019t be many pass rushers in this draft class that can match his combination of size, speed and quickness. When he times the snap right, he has a strong get off and will threaten tackles for speed off the edge. If they don\u2019t cut him off, he\u2019ll attack that outside shoulder and bend the edge all day. He has the ability to dip and turn the corner sharply too, so if tackles get too high with their hands he can just go under them.<\/p>\n When tackles do manage to negate that speed, and NFL tackles will manage that more frequently than the college tackles he was up against, he has a nasty spin move to play off his speed rush. He has the ability to line up on either side of the line and spin both directions, so it\u2019s not an easily predictable spin move either. But it is a very sharp one.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n But there are some concerns with his game. In the games I\u2019ve seen so far. As a rusher, he can miss a lot of hand fighting moves. He will throw out cross chops and swipes, but will frequently miss with them or not hit them strongly enough to impact the tackle. That being said, he\u2019s often quick enough to make it work regardless.<\/p>\n While he can convert speed to power and generate some push, he didn\u2019t appear to be a real powerful rusher, at least in the two games I\u2019ve studied so far. It\u2019s one thing taking the momentum from his quickness and exploding into the chest of a tackle with a strong two-handed punch, it\u2019s another to try and bullrush a tackle off the snap, or use a long-arm rush. Those are things that would develop him into a more well-rounded rusher rather than relying purely on his quickness. But that quickness is something that can\u2019t be taught and every rusher in the league would like to have.<\/p>\n He also needs to work on his rush discipline and handling chips. He receives a lot of extra attention because of his quickness which gives most college tackles a lot of problems. That meant opposing offenses would often put a tight end or running back to his side to chip him and help out. Too often those chips would delay him too much as he tried to work around them to avoid them instead of fighting through them, like we saw in the play above. There was more than one occasion where he\u2019d move inside to avoid a chip and work directly into the path of a blitzing linebacker or safety behind him, cutting them off. He can\u2019t allow that to happen.<\/p>\n Commanders.com<\/p>\n Logan Paulsen\u2019s top 10 edge rush prospects of 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 6. Cashius Howell<\/p>\n One thing: \u201cHe\u2019s just fun to watch. He\u2019s super instinctive and very natural. He kind of has this basketball-esque nature to how he plays. He\u2019s kind of got a wide base. He hops around and does a really good job of when the tackle is overextended and playing off his inside foot and swiping his hands \u2026 He\u2019s got great bend off the edge. He kind of rushes from what I would call an unorthodox stance. His hips are square to the ball as opposed to the line of scrimmage, so he\u2019s taking this false step crossover, which works really well for him.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 4. Akeem Mesidor<\/p>\n One thing: \u201cThe film is excellent. The first time I watched the film, I thought he was Rueben Bain. He has a wide array of pass rush moves. He\u2019s got power. He uses his hands well. He\u2019s got a cross chop. He\u2019s got a dip move. He understands the rush line. He\u2019s fantastic, man. He is NFL ready, rocked and ready to go. He is awesome. The only thing I have in terms of negative feedback is I think he\u2019s an old football player with a lot of miles on him, and just how long is he gonna be in your program?\u201d<\/p>\n 4 Senior Bowl standouts from Trevor Sikkema<\/a><\/p>\n Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Caroll<\/p>\n Height: 5-foot-11 Advertisement<\/p>\n Sikkema: I knew nothing about Tyren Montgomery heading into this event. He was a late add \u2026 From what I\u2019ve been told, he hasn\u2019t been playing football that long. He\u2019s former basketball player, like a legit D-I basketball player, and it shows up. There are times when he doesn\u2019t have the most diverse release package for an NFL receiver. He\u2019s not always getting off the line super clean. His hand work could be better and a little more precise, but when that ball\u2019s in the air and it\u2019s time to go up and get it, full pun intended, he goes above the rim, and he can jump out of the gym. I\u2019m so excited to see this guy out at the combine to see what his 40 time is, what the broad is, what the vertical is to measure just how explosive this guy is. Because that has absolutely shown up.<\/p>\n Commanders Roundtable<\/p>\n Mock drafts as split as ever on Commanders\u2019 2026 first round pick<\/a><\/p>\n Seven different picks by eight outlets on what the Washington Commanders should do with the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Connor Hughes, SNY: Clemson DL Peter Woods<\/p>\n Nick Baumgardner & Scott Dochterman, The Athletic: Texas Tech edge David Bailey<\/p>\n Danny Kelly, The Ringer: Texas Tech edge David Bailey<\/p>\n Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: Auburn edge Keldrick Faulk<\/p>\n Ben Standig, Substack:\u00a0Miami (FL) DL Rueben Bain Jr.<\/p>\n Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Clemson edge TJ Parker<\/p>\n PFF: Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese<\/p>\n Matt Miller, ESPN:\u00a0Ohio State safety Caleb Downs<\/p>\n What\u2019s also clear is the focus on updating the front seven with the expectation that head coach Dan Quinn also adds a specialist to the coaching staff to focus on the front seven in 2026.<\/a>\u00a0The lone exception to the latest round of projections is Matt Miller\u2019s projection for the Commanders to select Caleb Downs with the seventh overall pick, who has been a popular pick through the second half of the season.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Both the cornerback and safety rooms will need major upgrade as the selection of Downs would give the Commanders a difference maker along the back line. It\u2019s as much of a need for a Washington defense that needs major upgrades under first-year defensive coordinator Daronte Jones, who will put a premium on takeaways thanks to his proven track record of producing exactly that with the Minnesota Vikings<\/a>.<\/p>\n Riggo\u2019s Rag<\/p>\n 5 delicate Commanders contracts suddenly on the clock after a dreadful season<\/a><\/p>\n Some tricky decisions await<\/p>\n Tyler Biadasz \u2013 Commanders C<\/p>\n The Washington Commanders\u2019 offensive line was a rare positive area of the roster. Although the unit went through significant early upheaval, everyone acquitted themselves well, providing a solid base for new offensive coordinator David Blough to work with.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n If left guard Chris Paul is extended, all five of Washington\u2019s starting offensive linemen will be back in 2026. This continuity is essential and equally favorable. Offensive line coach Bobby Johnson may have been let go, but the players\u2019 cohesion remains intact.<\/p>\n The glue that holds it all together is Tyler Biadasz. He\u2019s been a rock at the center position over the last two seasons, developing strong pre-snap chemistry with Jayden Daniels while also providing solid, if unspectacular, protection.<\/p>\n Biadasz finished the campaign on injured reserve, but there are no real long-term concerns. The veteran lineman has one more year remaining on his deal, counting $10.98 million against the salary cap. What the Commanders need to figure out is whether the former Wisconsin standout is worthy of another extension ahead of time.<\/p>\n That is more debatable<\/a>. Biadasz won\u2019t be forcing the issue, so he\u2019ll be more than happy to play out the last year before taking things further. And if he performs well over the early stages of the campaign, the Commanders could always extend him in-season.<\/p>\n Podcasts & videosDaronte Jones: Breaking Down the NEW DC + Super Bowl Preview | Podcast | Washington Commanders | NFLWashington Commanders Reveal New Spear Logo in mock draft graphic<\/a>VOLTRON: Washington Commanders Push Jayden Daniels to THRIVE Outside His Comfort Zone and ELEVATENFC East links<\/p>\n NFL.com<\/p>\n Cowboys\u2019 George Pickens knows his price tag \u2018went up,\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n His 93 receptions, 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches were all career bests by sizable margins. Thus, the impending free-agent wide receiver readily admits he\u2019d love to stay put with the Cowboys, but insists it\u2019s not completely in his control.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cI would love to,\u201d Pickens said Monday when asked if he\u2019d like to remain with the team for the long term, via the team website\u2019s Tommy Yarrish<\/a>. \u201cBut when you can\u2019t control it, you kind of just hope for the best.\u201d<\/p>\n He put together an outstanding season and has risen to new heights and raised his price tag.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like, if anything, it went up,\u201d he said. \u201cBut me personally, my value is just a playmaker type of guy. I feel like any team or wherever I play, I can be playing in Canada, I just want them to know that I\u2019m definitely a playmaker.\u201d<\/p>\n Blogging the Boys<\/p>\n Cowboys 2026 draft: EDGE David Bailey scouting report<\/a><\/p>\n David Bailey is a pass rusher first and foremost. His job is to get to the quarterback, and that\u2019s what he does best. He\u2019s quick off the snap, he closes fast, and he has a good mix of moves that helps him create pressure even when opponents know he\u2019s coming. That\u2019s why he piles up sacks, tackles for loss, and forced fumbles. It\u2019s simple, he\u2019s disruptive and he finishes plays.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Where he\u2019s still a work in progress is the dirty work parts of playing on the edge every snap. He isn\u2019t the biggest or longest edge defender for the NFL, so bigger tackles can sometimes lock onto him and push him around in the run game. He can also get a bit too aggressive chasing the big play and losing his lane, which can open running or scrambling lanes if he isn\u2019t careful.<\/p>\n Overall, he looks like a player who can be a very good NFL pass rusher early, especially on obvious passing downs, and if he improves his strength and consistency against the run, he has a path to becoming a full-time starter who produces sacks year after year.<\/p>\n CONSENSUS OVERALL RANKING<\/p>\n 8th Big Blue View<\/p>\n Matt Nagy hired by Giants: Big Blue View writers have varied reactions<\/a><\/p>\n Just like everyone else, BBV contributors aren\u2019t sure what to think<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Anthony Del Genio \u2026.<\/p>\n \u201cAm I wrong, or is that an underwhelming choice?\u201d<\/p>\n Chris Pflum \u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI am\u2026 Whelmed. I think I want to go back to his offense before [Justin] Fields to get an idea of what he\u2019d do with Dart.<\/p>\n \u201cHe does have a rep as a great \u2018culture\u2019 guy, so I can see the appeal for Harbaugh.\u201d<\/p>\n Anthony Del Genio \u2026.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose on the plus side, he got more out of [Mitch] Trubisky than anyone else has, and it would have been more if not for the double doink. But I don\u2019t have any impression of him as far as a distinct offensive philosophy. Osmosis from being with Reid maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n David Hartman \u2026<\/p>\n \u201cThe Chiefs\u2019 offense has been pretty stagnant the last few years (despite the 2 SB wins). But some of that has been personnel-driven. It\u2019s not an exciting pick but I\u2019m not sure how much else was still out there.\u201d<\/p>\n NFL league linksArticles<\/p>\n ESPN<\/p>\n Falcons president Matt Ryan won\u2019t commit to Penix as starter<\/a><\/p>\n Penix is recovering from surgery to repair a torn left ACL, which he suffered last November. He is expected to be out anywhere from nine to 12 months.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n At Tuesday\u2019s introductory news conference for new general manager Ian Cunningham, Ryan was asked if Penix will be the Falcons\u2019 starter when he returns and Ryan would not say either way.<\/p>\n \u201cNeither of us are the head coach of the football team, so we can\u2019t answer your question on that,\u201d Ryan said. \u201c\u2026 I think as we start to get into this process and dive deeper into the roster \u2014 how it currently stands, where it\u2019s going in the future \u2014 I think those are conversations that\u2019ll be a part of it.<\/p>\n \u201cQuarterback\u2019s obviously very important, and we\u2019re excited about Mike and what he\u2019s doing with his rehab. I\u2019ve been up at the facility the last three weeks, and Michael\u2019s been in there attacking that and he\u2019s in a good space right now, so we\u2019re excited about where he is at. But certainly, a lot of discussions for us about the entire roster.\u201d<\/p>\n Brandon Beane dismisses Bills\u2019 critics: \u2018F\u2014 the outside\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Beane, the Bills president of football operations and general manager, discussed Buffalo\u2019s controversial decision to fire longtime coach Sean McDermott and replace him with Joe Brady in a recent interview with Go Long<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cF\u2014 the outside,\u201d Beane told Go Long, which published an excerpt of the interview Monday. \u201cIt\u2019s about the right selection for this team. And if we win, they\u2019ll love it.\u201d<\/p>\n A recent survey<\/a> conducted by The Buffalo News showed that over 75% of the participants disagreed with the decision to fire McDermott. The Buffalo News ran another survey<\/a> in which less than 38% agreed that Brady was the right hire for head coach.<\/p>\n Beane told Go Long that he was aware of the widespread criticism and acknowledged that his job security might depend on Brady\u2019s success.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the same thing I said when I took Josh Allen<\/a>,\u201d Beane said. \u201cIf I\u2019m wrong, the moving company will be at my house.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cSo I understand, and I\u2019m not going to have regret of choosing someone to appease the outside if I thought it should have been something different. If I\u2019m wrong, I\u2019ll f\u2014ing take my job and f\u2014ing go home.\u201d<\/p>\n Front Office Sports<\/p>\n Scott Hanson: \u2018They Didn\u2019t Consult Me\u2019 on Hated NFL RedZone Ads<\/a><\/p>\n With the injection of ads during the 2025 regular season, Hanson can no longer champion RedZone as \u201cseven hours of commercial-free football.\u201d<\/p>\n During an interview here with Ryan Glasspiegel and Baker Machado of Front Office Sports, the popular host put the blame for the ad creep squarely on NFL Network.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst and foremost, they didn\u2019t consult me. Your boy Uncle Scott was not responsible for commercials. Not even a little bit. Not consulted. The business folks handle the business side of things,\u201d Hanson told FOS here on Radio Row.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cI was told we were going with commercials,\u201d Hanson said. \u201cI said, \u2018OK, let\u2019s handle this as best we can.\u2019 What we ended up with, at the end of the season, was eight 15-second commercials that we spaced out about 45 minutes apart. So never two commercials back to back. And always in-between plays.\u201d<\/p>\n [T]he good old days came to an end when the NFL added commercials<\/a> during the 2025 season\u2013sparking outrage among millions of viewers. Hanson was forced to alter his slogan to: \u201cSeven hours of RedZone football stars now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe NFL is a for-profit business,\u201d Hanson noted. \u201cI don\u2019t believe that horse is going back into the barn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, there will be some 15-second advertisements that will pop in. People need to make their own determinations. But I\u2019m still going to be there\u2014and I\u2019m still going to give you everything I\u2019ve got. I hope people say, \u2018You know what? Even if I don\u2019t like it, I\u2019m still going to hang with RedZone.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n NFL Draft<\/p>\n NFL.com<\/p>\n
Weight: 190
2025 stats: 119 receptions, 1,528 yards, 15 TDs<\/p>\n
(Consensus ranking based on the average ranking from 90 major scoring services)<\/p>\n