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Which direction will the Washington Commanders go in the first round of April's 2026 NFL Draft? There are a number of ways the Commanders could go, but much of that will be determined by what they do in free agency next month.
You can almost guarantee that Washington's pick — No. 7 overall — will be a defensive player. While the Commanders could use a top receiver, they really need a blue-chip defender. Some of the names often linked to Washington in mock draft edge rushers David Bailey (Texas Tech) and Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami), Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, or Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.
However, there is another Ohio State defender who is expected to go in top 10, and probably somewhere in the top five: linebacker/edge Arvell Reese.
In a new post-Senior Bowl mock draft, Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus projects Reese to the Commanders at No. 7.
Sikkema said it best right here: "The Commanders need more off- and on-ball linebacker production."
That's absolutely correct, and no player in this draft offers the upside to do both more than Reese. With terrific size (6-foot-4, 243), Reese is built like an edge rusher, with the speed of a defensive back. He can roam sideline to sideline or rush the passer. He's still a bit raw as a pass rusher, but head coach Dan Quinn would love a player with Reese's upside. Remember when Quinn coached a similar player with the Dallas Cowboys? Yes, it was Quinn who turned Micah Parsons into a full-time pass rusher after off-ball at Penn State. Could he view Reese as a similar prospect?
There's a good chance Reese will be long gone before Washington goes on the clock. If he isn't, don't be surprised if the Commanders quickly turn in their card.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders land Arvell Reese in new 2026 NFL mock draft
Continue reading...
You can almost guarantee that Washington's pick — No. 7 overall — will be a defensive player. While the Commanders could use a top receiver, they really need a blue-chip defender. Some of the names often linked to Washington in mock draft edge rushers David Bailey (Texas Tech) and Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami), Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, or Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.
However, there is another Ohio State defender who is expected to go in top 10, and probably somewhere in the top five: linebacker/edge Arvell Reese.
In a new post-Senior Bowl mock draft, Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus projects Reese to the Commanders at No. 7.
Sikkema said it best right here: "The Commanders need more off- and on-ball linebacker production."
That's absolutely correct, and no player in this draft offers the upside to do both more than Reese. With terrific size (6-foot-4, 243), Reese is built like an edge rusher, with the speed of a defensive back. He can roam sideline to sideline or rush the passer. He's still a bit raw as a pass rusher, but head coach Dan Quinn would love a player with Reese's upside. Remember when Quinn coached a similar player with the Dallas Cowboys? Yes, it was Quinn who turned Micah Parsons into a full-time pass rusher after off-ball at Penn State. Could he view Reese as a similar prospect?
There's a good chance Reese will be long gone before Washington goes on the clock. If he isn't, don't be surprised if the Commanders quickly turn in their card.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders land Arvell Reese in new 2026 NFL mock draft
Continue reading...
