Dan Quinn’s defense posted a respectable sack total during the 2025 season. However, some of the team’s pressure analytics left something to be desired.
If the Washington Commanders weren’t bringing down quarterbacks this past season, then the team’s pass rush simply wasn’t impacting opposing signal-callers very much.
With that in mind, Yahoo Sports’ Charles McDonald and Nate Tice argued Tuesday the Commanders could have an easy choice at No. 7 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
In their new mock draft, McDonald and Tice projected the Commanders to select Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey.
“This one is a pretty easy pairing. The Commanders are starved for edge rushers, especially ones that can win one-on-one and get after the quarterback,” wrote McDonald and Tice. “That’s exactly what Bailey brings to the table. He’s a dynamo off the edge and brings the heat play after play. Bailey’s lack of size can give him some issues against the run, but he improved in that area during his lone season in Lubbock.
“He’ll immediately inject some juice into a front that needs it.”
Bailey posted 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss as a senior in 2025. He led the Big 12 in both categories on his way to All-American honors.
That should be plenty of juice for the Commanders defense. In 2025, 36-year-old Von Miller was the only Washington player with more than 5.5 sacks.
What David Bailey Could Add to Dan Quinn’s Defense
The Commanders finished tied for 12th with 42 sacks this past season. While that’s a very respectable number, more than half of those sacks came from players at least 30.
Additionally, Miller and fellow linebacker Bobby Wagner combined to register 13.5 of Washington’s sacks. Both Miller and Wagner are at least 35 years old. The Commanders don’t have either player under contract for 2026.
The team could pursue bringing back Miller or Wagner because of how well they performed in 2025. Still, the Commanders need youth along the edge.
Bailey would bring that as one of the top edge rushers in the 2026 class. As the Yahoo Sports analysts explained, he’s not yet a great option against the run. But as a pass rusher, he appears ready to make an impact at the NFL level.
“Bailey is extremely hard for linemen to stay in front of. He moves like a slashing two guard, blending explosiveness and fluidity to slip, bend and flow around blocks from multiple angles,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. “His leverage and lower-body flexion create game-over scenarios once he reaches pocket depth with even a minor lead.
“Teams can run at Bailey due to his lack of anchor and take-on presence, but his work-around quickness will also lead to tackles for loss. His draft grade is slightly tempered by a lack of desired size/length, but the explosiveness and athletic talent is truly elite.
“His sack production should carry over to the NFL as an odd-front rush linebacker with Pro Bowl upside.”
In the new Yahoo Sports mock draft, Bailey was the third edge rusher off the board. Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. and Ohio State’s Arvell Reese were each top 4 selections in the mock draft.
Commanders Projected to ‘Inject Some Juice’ With Ideal 2026 Offseason Addition