Texas Tech EDGE named developmental player Commanders should target

The 2026 NFL Draft is mere weeks away, and while most analysts and fans are focused on the first round, the draft is seven rounds for a reason. First-round draft picks have higher expectations than other players, but that doesn't mean teams don't find impactful players in the later rounds.

The Washington Commanders found themselves a gem in the 2025 NFL Draft when they selected Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the seventh round. He stepped up in the absence of Austin Ekeler and became an impactful part of the running back rotation. NFL teams know this happens every year; there are always players in late rounds who end up being top performers for their teams.

So, while most of the league is heavily focused on the first round, Sports Illustrated's Justin Melo identified a mid-to-late-round developmental draft pick that each team should target. For the Commanders, it is Texas Tech edge rusher Romello Height.

Romello Height, EDGE, Texas TechThe Washington Commanders retooled their pass rush by signing Odafe Oweh, K'Lavon Chaisson, and Charles Omenihu in free agency. They should add rookie depth behind the veterans. Texas Tech's Romello Height is undersized, but speed and effort led to a 10-sack season in 2025. Height has baseline athleticism to put on muscle mass and develop into a designated pass rusher.

Height anchored the Red Raiders' defensive line opposite David Bailey, who is projected to be drafted high in the first round. His size is definitely a problem, but one that can be remedied with the right diet and training program. The biggest factors that drop Height are his age, injury history, and the fact that he played at four different collegiate programs.

A three-star recruit out of high school, Height initially committed to the Miami Hurricanes before changing his choice to the Auburn Tigers. He played 2020-2021 at Auburn and then transferred to USC for 2022-2023. At USC, he missed almost the entirety of the 2022 season with a shoulder injury. In 2024, he transferred to Georgia Tech before ultimately ending his NCAA career at Texas Tech.

Height is set to turn 25 during his rookie campaign, which limits the developmental window that teams will have to work with him, which is likely the biggest reason he will fall into the later rounds. However, if he can put on some weight, Dan Quinn and Daronte Jones should have zero trouble tapping into the athleticism Height has. There is plenty of potential to work with, as long as the team that drafts him understands what they have and sets their expectations appropriately.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Texas Tech's other EDGE a prospect to watch