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Commanders make controversial pick in new mock draft
TL;DR
The Washington Commanders are projected to select edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 7 in the 2026 NFL Draft, despite recent speculation linking them to other positions. General manager Adam Peters has filled several team needs in free agency, but the edge rusher position remains a priority.
What will the Washington Commanders do at No. 7 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft? Entering free agency, the Commanders had several needs, including edge rusher, linebacker, wide receiver, cornerback, and tight end. General manager Adam Peters did an outstanding job in free agency, filling those needs, but not to the point that you can exclude the Commanders from picking any of those specific positions.
Before free agency, almost every mock draft had Washington going edge rusher at No. 7 overall. That usually meant either Arvell Reese (Ohio State), David Bailey (Texas Tech), or Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami) falling to the Commanders. Reese rarely made it out of the top five of mock drafts, but Bailey and Bain did, with one of the two landing in Washington.
Since free agency, those talks have died down, with the Commanders often being linked to Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, or LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.
However, in a new mock draft for CBS Sports, Zachary Pereles is back on the Bain to Washington train at No. 7.
On one hand, the Commanders are, in my eyes, a trade-back candidate. On the other hand, should Rueben Bain (and/or David Bailey) be available, I have a hard time envisioning they'd pass up a chance at one of them. Bain plays with heavy hands, extreme power and tireless effort. Coach Dan Quinn preaches playing violently, and Bain embodies that idea.
Bain is a polarizing prospect because of his arm length. But the tape doesn't lie. Bain is a phenomenal player. The Commanders reportedly like Bain, as he fits what Peters and head coach Dan Quinn want in a pass rusher. He is a tone-setter on defense. While the concern regarding arm length is real, especially when you look at historical comparisons, many believe Bain can be an outlier.
Something to note regarding Bain is that he was involved in a 2024 car accident where a passenger later died from injuries sustained in the accident. He was cited for careless driving after the accident. While this was not widely known amongst the media, all 32 NFL teams were aware of it, so this was not out of left field.
It's unknown how much, if at all, this will impact Bain's stock.
As far as Bain to the Commanders, in this mock draft, Washington chose him over Caleb Downs, Delane and Bailey. That seems unlikely, but we shall see next week.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders select Miami EDGE Rueben Bain in new mock draft
Q&A
Who is Rueben Bain Jr. and why is he a top pick for the Commanders?
Rueben Bain Jr. is an edge rusher from Miami, and he is considered a top pick for the Commanders due to his strong performance and potential to fill a critical need on the team's defense.
What positions were the Commanders expected to target before free agency?
Before free agency, the Commanders were expected to target edge rusher, linebacker, wide receiver, cornerback, and tight end in the draft.
How did free agency impact the Commanders' draft strategy for 2026?
Free agency allowed the Commanders to address several positional needs, shifting the focus of their draft strategy and leading to speculation about selecting players like running back Jeremiyah Love or wide receiver Carnell Tate.
