Could Max Llewellyn Give the Commanders a Day 3 Pass Rush Specialist?

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 31: Max Llewellyn #48 of the Iowa Hawkeyes rushes on defense against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the ReliaQuest Bowl on December 31, 2025 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Max Llewellyn, DE
School: Iowa| Conference: Big Ten
College Experience: Redshirt Senior| **Age:**23
Height / Weight: 6’6” / 258 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 5th Round
Player Comparison: Kyler Fackrell

College Statistics

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/12/2026.

Player Overview

Iowa native Max Llewellyn put together an impressive stat line in his final year of high school football. Not only did he have 13 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks as a defensive end, but he had 13 catches for 278 yards as a tight end. Although he received offers from Penn State, Missouri, Kansas State, and many others, Llewellyn decide to attend Iowa.

Llewellyn redshirted in 2021, yet won the defensive Team Leader Award. He would only see action in four games in 2022. In 2023, Llewellyn played in all 14 games, but only had modest stats for a Hawkeye team that made the Big Ten Championship game. The following season, Llewellyn became a prominent contributor in the Hawkeye’s defense despite not being a starter. He tied for the second-most tackles for loss and had the third-most sacks. For his final season, Llewellyn improved his production a bit to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten.

Strengths

• Shows pass rush plan and ability to react to blockers’ pass rush sets
• Has good hand usage, shocking blockers before ripping through their grasp
• Loves his spin move, using it to beat blockers and set up other pass rush moves
• Displays power on bull rushes
• If he can’t get to the quarterback, times hands well to break up passes
• Holds the point of attack in the run game

Weaknesses

• Despite height, arm length less than ideal
• Short arms contribute to missed tackles
• Just an average athlete, lacking burst off the line of scrimmage
• Not a flexible rusher that easily bends around the edge
• Question of whether he can win without being lined up wide
• While his spin move is effective, can rely on it too much

Let’s See His Work

How He Fits on the Commanders

Word on the street is the Commanders will deploy a 3-4 defense under Daronte Jones. In free agency, the team added Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson to play outside linebackers that will rush off the edge. Even with a change in defensive scheme and players who fit it, I suspect the Commanders will line up in a fair number of even fronts. Players like Dorance Armstrong, who is entering the final year of his contract, and Javontae Jean-Baptiste fit the mold of 4-3 defensive ends that will rush the passer out of fronts other than a 3-4.

What was the button for the spin move on Madden? I don’t know. All I know is whatever it is, Max Llewellyn smashes it into oblivion. It is a tool he has in an arsenal of pass rush moves that he uses effectively to get to the quarterback. Unfortunately, many of his physical limitations are what will limit him as a pass rusher at the next level. Although I think Llewellyn’s best fit is as a 4-3 defensive end in a front that uses wide alignments, he could be an effective rotational pass rusher here in Washington. As long as he is not asked to drop in coverage, Llewellyn could be effective disrupting opponents’ backfields on clear passing downs.