NFL insider thinks Commanders will lean defense with first-round pick

The Washington Commanders made several free agent acquisitions on defense; did they do enough?

Well, seeing the Commanders' defense surrendered more yards than any other team in the 2025 season, how could they not still be looking for key defensive help? Consequently, though the vast majority of the projections have the Commanders taking Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love at No. 7 in the first round, next Thursday night, don't be surprised if they still go defense.

On Friday, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network agreed with this thinking as well, regarding the Commanders going defense. Understandably so, the Commanders were 32nd in surrendering yardage. We know their free agent signings will bring them some improvement. Yet, how much improvement is required to move up from 32nd to, say, 16th? Can anyone at this point even foresee how much better the defense will be?

"So much of the focus in the offseason was doing that (improving/getting younger) on defense," declared Rapoport. "Last year's defense was (pause) not what you were looking for. They ended up making a ton of staff changes. This is now for Dan Quinn and his unit on defense, becomes an unbelievably important situation. I would not be surprised, this is no prediction. I would not be surprised if the Commanders say (at No. 7), 'Who is the best defensive player on our board?' We will just take him."

Well, then who is going to be the best defensive player left at No. 7 in the draft? Virtually all mock drafts have David Bailey (Texas Tech), Arvell Reese (Ohio State) gone before the Commanders are on the clock at No. 7.In addition, certainly most then also have Ohio State LB Sonny Styles also gone. So, whom did Rapoport say he envisions being available for the Commanders when they go on the clock?

"A couple of potential options for them at No. 7? Caleb Downs, the really, really good safety from Ohio State. People talk about his makeup like it is just crazy. I would say Sonny Styles, off-ball linebacker, here, another one. People just love their makeup; people love the way they are wired. As they are looking for a new linchpin to their defense, both of these guys would potentially be in the conversation."