The Washington Commanders used the 2026 NFL draft to reinvent their moribund defense by drafting a centerpiece player at No. 7 overall with Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles — although their best value on defense may have come on Day 3.
USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz singled out Commanders edge rusher and 5th round pick (No. 147 overall) Joshua Josephs as the “Biggest Steal” of the draft.
“It’s difficult to find edge rushers beyond Day 2 with sufficient athleticism to be actual factors in pressuring the quarterback,” Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote. “Count Josephs among the possible exceptions. The 6-3, 242-pound edge rusher vexes opposing blockers with his long arms and rapid burst off the line of scrimmage, which allows him to overwhelm any opponent who can’t get a hand on him early. He’s largely inconsistent in actually making his way to the quarterback and requires a plan built on more than just determination. The Commanders, however, can bring him along slowly behind Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson, the latter of whom could be replaced after this season.”
Commanders Didn’t Have Many Picks in Draft
The Commanders only had 6 picks in 2026, thanks to a disastrous series of trades in 2024 and 2025.
Josephs, 6-foot-3 and 242 pounds, was just the 3rd pick for the Commanders in the draft after Styles and Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams in the 3rd round (No. 71 overall).
From Commanders.com: “Josephs, a four-year contributor for the University of Tennessee, recorded 104 tackles with 9.5 sacks and eight pass breakups in his career with the Vols. He was a two-year starter in 2024 and 2025 and led Tennessee with three forced fumbles two years ago.”
“New Commanders EDGE Joshua Josephs is a STEAL at #147,” Commanders fan account Jay Daniels MVP wrote on X.
Mock Drafts Didn’t Give Josephs Much Play
The numbers on Josephs seemed to indicate he would be selected much sooner than the 5th round, but there just wasn’t much buzz around him in the lead-up to the draft.
“Joshua Josephs’ speed/length has a crazy high ceiling for someone I’ve never seen in a Round 1 mock draft,” Underdog’s Hayden Minks wrote on his official X account on March 18.
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein predicted Josephs would be a 4th round pick.
“Long, upright edge defender with an NBA-caliber wingspan and room to continue filling out his frame,” Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft evaluation. “Josephs uses his arms to stay separated from blocks and spill runs wide. However, he needs to get bigger and stronger to better support the run against NFL blocking. He has long strides and plus closing burst to chase and capture. His pass rush is the same on every snap, showing good burst and effort but a predictable track that is slowed by force. He’s not a natural bender, so adding go-to moves, a functional inside counter and better rush plans will be essential. With added weight and continued schooling, Josephs could deliver much more consistent production than he’s provided so far.”
Josephs played in the shadow of a 1st-round pick for most of his career at Tennessee opposite fellow edge rusher James Pearce Jr., the No. 26 overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2025 NFL draft.
Commanders 5th Round Pick Called ‘Biggest Steal’ of NFL Draft