Adam Peters finally put his money where his mouth is when he went pass-rusher crazy during free agency. The Washington Commanders general manager added three new recruits to the edge, a trio of moves headlined by handing Odafe Oweh a deal worth up to $100 million.
That kind of outlay is a major leap of faith in a talented but inconsistent edge defender coming off his lone banner season in the pros. What Oweh needs to help him prove last season's 10.5-sack breakout with the Los Angeles Chargers, following a midseason trade from the Baltimore Ravens, was no fluke, is an elite partner up front.
Perhaps it could be one of fellow veteran recruits, K'Lavon Chaisson or Charles Omenihu. Yet it's more likely the Commanders can find the blue-chip pass-rusher they still need in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Peters need look no further than a big-play specialist who dominated the FBS.
David Bailey would turn Commanders' weakness into a team strength
Logging 14.5 sacks during his final year at Texas Tech underscored David Bailey's flair for getting after quarterbacks. He's got the core tools every consistently disruptive pass-rusher needs. Tools aptly described by Luke Easterling of Athlon Sports.
"He’s a high-motor defender who plays at full tilt for all four quarters and beyond, and his ability to create pressures and finish them with sacks, especially in clutch situations, is one of the most valuable traits any prospect can have, regardless of position."
What stands out most from this glowing endorsement of Bailey's skills is his ability to be a closer. That knack for completing a pass rush with a quarterback takedown in what Easterling referred to as "clutch situations" is just what the Commanders are looking for up front.
This is a team built, in the ideal scenario, to be a frontrunner led by the dual-threat brilliance of quarterback Jayden Daniels. These Commanders are supposed to let the signal-caller do his thing, play with a lead, and then turn pass-rushers loose to protect that advantage.
Drafting Bailey with the No. 7 overall pick would immediately change this narrative for the better. He's instant-pressure personified, evidenced by Easterling's colleague Doug Farrar noting that "David Bailey last season on quarterback drops of 0-3 steps: Three solo sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and nine quarterback hurries."
The speed alone is enough to justify Bailey's place in Washington's new-look edge rotation. Those who would call this a luxury pick should remember you can never have enough quality pass-rushers.
Particularly for a scheme as varied and aggressive as the one Daronte Jones is expected to call. The defensive coordinator will need versatile, roving pass-rushers to make his vision a reality. Bailey fits the blueprint, even if there are concerns about the 250-pounder's bulk and ability to stand up to the run at the pro level.
Those concerns could be offset by Jones initially using Bailey in third-down packages, leaving Oweh and Chaisson to handle base alignment work.
Chaisson has a chance to prove his first season with double-digit sacks since entering the NFL was no outlier, so he's motivated to produce, but the former New England Patriots edge still represents a similar risk to Oweh.
Taking Bailey off the board would give the Commanders insurance against their primary new arrivals failing to deliver. It would also create terrifying pressure packages, with Bailey joining Oweh and Chaisson, along with either Omenihu or the returning Deatrich Wise Jr., both of whom can slide inside to put heat on the pocket.
This four-man, speed-rushing group would be a nightmare for every quarterback on the Commanders' schedule.