With only two selections in the first four rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders cannot afford to miss with the No. 7 pick. General manager Adam Peters may look to move back, but there should be a fantastic opportunity to acquire a blue-chip difference-maker to accelerate their rebuild.
It would be a bombshell of epic proportions if this didn't come on defense. The Commanders are desperately thin on quality starters of sufficient depth. For head coach Dane Quinn's gamble on new coordinator Daronte Jones to work, a massive upgrade on the playing side is needed.
One NFL Draft analyst believes there is a perfect prospect capable of bringing Washington's defense to life under Jones' guidance. Whether he'll be around when the Commanders go on the clock is another matter.
Arvell Reese would be a dream for the Commanders, but fans shouldn't get their hopes up
Brent Sobleski of The Bleacher Report named the best fits for each of the top six projected prospects in the 2026 class. The analyst thought Ohio State's do-it-all linebacker, Arvell Reese, has the Micah Parsons-type skill set that Quinn would know how to utilize effectively.
"[Arvell] Reese can be [Dan] Quinn's new game-wrecker despite not seeing the talented defender being deployed to his fullest potential by Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia in the Buckeyes' biggest games."Brent Sobleski
Much has been made about where Reese may be suited in the pros. Some experts believe he's best rushing the passer. Others see him as an off-ball, genuine three-down linebacker. The truth lies somewhere in the middle, but having such a versatile, supreme physical force capable of impacting almost every phase of the game immediately would be a revelation within Jones' schematic concepts for the Commanders.
It sounds nice, but there is a big problem. There is almost no chance Reese is still around at No. 7 overall.
Most projections from some of the smartest draft analysts around have Reese going No. 2 to the New York Jets. He isn't out of the top five in any mock draft I have read. The Commanders don't have the ammunition to trade up, and even though they will do their due diligence on the prospect, the chances of him being there for the taking are extremely remote.
More realistic options would be Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, or Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. If Washington is intent on finding a linebacker, the Buckeyes' Sonny Styles would enter the equation.
If Reese is somehow still on the board, it shouldn't take the Commanders long to turn in their card. But fans shouldn't get their hopes up.