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The Washington Commanders added six players in their 2026 NFL Draft class. First-round linebacker Sonny Styles was the headliner, while third-round wide receiver Antonio Williams received plenty of hype.
We are over one week into training camp, and Styles hasn't disappointed. Styles has stood out in every practice as his speed has transformed the defense. It was even more evident when the pads were on two days this week. Williams has had his moments, too.
But there's another rookie who is quietly off to a tremendous start: fifth-round edge rusher Joshua Josephs. The No. 147 overall pick out of Tennessee, Josephs played in 48 career games for the Volunteers in the SEC. Josephs' incredible length and wingspan excited the Commanders, who believe he hasn't even scratched the surface of who he can be as a pass rusher.
Early in camp, Josephs has stood out in multiple practices.
Mitchell Tischler of Monumental Sports and the "Beltway Football" podcast has been in Ashburn for training camp every day. He joined the "Trap or Dive" podcast this week to share his thoughts on Josephs.
"I said it already, Josh Josephs," Tischler said when Jamual Forrest asked him which player kept popping up as he watched practice.
"It's hard for me to remember, you know, going back, a fifth-rounder that this early in camp has popped as much to me. I'm sure there are other guys, maybe Alfred Morris (2012) going way back or whatever, but whenever he's on the field, he pops. And maybe there's too much depth in front of him that he's gonna get enough opportunities, not to mention hopefully Dorance Armstrong is going to be back in the mix in some regards. K'Lavon Chaisson and Odafe Oweh have looked really, really good as well. So, I don't know how many reps he's going to get, but I think he's going to be a difference-maker when he's on the football field."
Tischler is correct. Oweh and Chaisson have been terrific. Armstrong was having his best NFL season last year before he tore his ACL in Week 7. The Commanders' edge rushers were among the weakest units in the league in 2025. It's quite possible that the position is now a team strength.
There is no pressure on Josephs to come in and start. The Commanders would love to see him come off the bench early in his career as a pass-rush specialist. If he can give them valuable snaps off the bench as a rookie, that's a big win for GM Adam Peters.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Surprising Commanders' rookie continues to 'pop'
Continue reading...
We are over one week into training camp, and Styles hasn't disappointed. Styles has stood out in every practice as his speed has transformed the defense. It was even more evident when the pads were on two days this week. Williams has had his moments, too.
But there's another rookie who is quietly off to a tremendous start: fifth-round edge rusher Joshua Josephs. The No. 147 overall pick out of Tennessee, Josephs played in 48 career games for the Volunteers in the SEC. Josephs' incredible length and wingspan excited the Commanders, who believe he hasn't even scratched the surface of who he can be as a pass rusher.
Early in camp, Josephs has stood out in multiple practices.
Mitchell Tischler of Monumental Sports and the "Beltway Football" podcast has been in Ashburn for training camp every day. He joined the "Trap or Dive" podcast this week to share his thoughts on Josephs.
"I said it already, Josh Josephs," Tischler said when Jamual Forrest asked him which player kept popping up as he watched practice.
"It's hard for me to remember, you know, going back, a fifth-rounder that this early in camp has popped as much to me. I'm sure there are other guys, maybe Alfred Morris (2012) going way back or whatever, but whenever he's on the field, he pops. And maybe there's too much depth in front of him that he's gonna get enough opportunities, not to mention hopefully Dorance Armstrong is going to be back in the mix in some regards. K'Lavon Chaisson and Odafe Oweh have looked really, really good as well. So, I don't know how many reps he's going to get, but I think he's going to be a difference-maker when he's on the football field."
Tischler is correct. Oweh and Chaisson have been terrific. Armstrong was having his best NFL season last year before he tore his ACL in Week 7. The Commanders' edge rushers were among the weakest units in the league in 2025. It's quite possible that the position is now a team strength.
There is no pressure on Josephs to come in and start. The Commanders would love to see him come off the bench early in his career as a pass-rush specialist. If he can give them valuable snaps off the bench as a rookie, that's a big win for GM Adam Peters.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Surprising Commanders' rookie continues to 'pop'
Continue reading...
