Adam Peters is heading into his most important offseason since becoming the Washington Commanders' general manager. One could argue that his first one was more crucial, but it's hard to ignore what the next few months could mean for the franchise's long-term aspirations.
The Commanders have regressed this season. Peters needs another overhaul, and he must get almost every decision right. And there is arguably no more critical choice than his first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Washington went all in during the offseason, leaving Peters with just two picks in the opening four rounds next spring. Their disastrous form this season ensures they will get a top-10 pick, and there are several directions they could go.
Commanders pass on Arvell Reese for David Bailey in PFF's latest mock draft
Peters could look to trade down to bolster his assets. That will depend on who's available, but Gordon McGuinness of Pro Football Focus thought Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey might be the tentative choice at this early juncture.
"The Commanders need an injection of youth on defense, and the way this draft has played out gives them a plethora of options. Bailey has dominated off the edge this season, earning a 93.5 PFF pass-rush grade and producing a 21.6% PFF pass-rush win rate. There will be questions about his size, but he’s too good a pass rusher to fall out of the top 10."Gordaon McGuinness
Adding more explosiveness to the defense is imperative. Bailey is a good prospect. Although he isn't the most imposing pass-rusher, he's got the physical profile that head coach Dan Quinn has had success with previously. However, this is about who the Commanders didn't take.
In this scenario, Ohio State prospect Arvell Reese was still on the board. He's a projected top-five pick and precisely what the Commanders need as a dominant, versatile linebacker capable of impacting proceedings in all phases, especially with Bobby Wagner's future beyond 2025 under a cloud.
And where did he go in this mock draft after the Commanders turned him down? To none other than the Dallas Cowboys as the perfect replacement for Micah Parsons.
Unless Bailey becomes the second coming of Julius Peppers, this could blow up spectacularly for Peters. Reese is touted by many as a generational prospect who is only just scratching the surface of what he can do. Passing on him would be a gamble of epic proportions, and if he went on to excel with the Cowboys, that would probably be enough for seats to get warm in Washington.
There is a long way to go before decisions are made. There is also a good chance that Reese goes in the top five. But what cannot be disputed is the need for Peters to hit on his first-round pick.
Nothing else will do.