Washington Commanders land top edge rusher in new 2026 mock draft

The Washington Commanders had high hopes for Jayden Daniels' second season, but those hopes were quickly dashed when the second-year quarterback was injured early in the season. Marcus Mariota has played well as Daniels' backup this season, but with the other injuries the Commanders have dealt with, winning would have been hard even for Daniels.

The Commanders currently have three wins this season, a far cry from 2024's 12-win season. As such, they are currently projected to have the 6th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. The most glaring need this team has remains the same as last season: youth and a true edge rusher on defense. To help in this endeavor, The Athletic's Dane Brugler suggests the Commanders take Rueben Bain, Jr., an edge rusher out of Miami, in his latest mock draft.

The Commanders need to get younger and more talented on defense, and Bain would help in both areas. With a unique body type and relatively short arms, he isn’t universally loved by NFL teams, but you know Dan Quinn will be intrigued by his get-off quickness, powerful hands and relentless motor.

The 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive lineman may not have the body type NFL teams are looking for, but he has registered 104 tackles (56 solo), two pass deflections, 15.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and one interception over his three-year career as a Hurricane.

His play style will definitely intrigue Dan Quinn, and Bain's relentlessness is something this defense currently lacks. With four defensive ends and two cornerbacks on injured reserve, Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner have been relatively quiet. The Commanders need someone who can come in and rejuvenate this defense, and Bain's enthusiasm could very well do that.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 2026 NFL mock draft: Commanders land pass rusher in Dane Brugler mock