The Washington Commanders are readying themselves for an offseason of immense importance. Finding explosive pass-rushers capable of generating havoc in opposing backfields should be high on general manager Adam Peters' lengthy to-do list.
Losing breakout star Dorance Armstrong Jr. to injury was a body blow. However, the Commanders didn't effectively strengthen their edge options during the offseason. Fans were concerned about this going into the year, and their fears have been confirmed.
This is the rude awakening Peters needed. He must prioritize Washington's pass-rush. Given the need to get younger across the board, it wouldn't be surprising to see the front office utilize its first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on a blue-chip defensive player with franchise cornerstone potential.
Logan Paulsen believes David Bailey could be the answer to Commanders' prayers
Former Washington player turned analyst Logan Paulsen thought the Commanders would be wise to consider David Bailey in the top 10. He thought the Texas Tech prospect was the best pure pass-rusher in this class. Although he is a little undersized, this could be precisely the player to transform the team's fortunes in this critical area of the field.
"He [David Bailey] is fun to watch. I'm not saying he is this guy, but I got heavy Robert Mathis vibes from this guy. Kind of a little bit sawed off, shorter guy. Plays with great strength in his hands. Great snap, has a spin move, has a get-off that'll kill you. Now, the thing with him is he's not the biggest guy in the world, but he has the juice. Of the guys I've watched, which is not everybody, this is the guy I would look to and say, "That is the pass-rusher of this group.""Logan Paulsen via Take Command
New episode of Take Command dropped today. Looked ahead to the Eagles game with @LoganPaulsenNFL.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) January 1, 2026
Also, Logan gave a film review on several of the top #NFLDraft prospects playing this weekend in the college football playoffs.
His favorite player is.. pic.twitter.com/uk7scF2e8w
The Red Raiders' playoff quest ended with a defeat to the Oregon Ducks, but Bailey once again caught the eye. His blistering first step resulted in a sack early in the contest, taking his tally to 14.5 on the season. He's got the relentless motor and controlled aggression that will enamor him to NFL teams. Even though he's not the most physically imposing, head coach Dan Quinn has enjoyed plenty of success with players like this in previous years.
Washington needs to hit on its first-round selection in the spring. They only have six picks in total, and only two of those are in the first four rounds. Peters would probably like to trade down for more swings, but there should be several intriguing options available if he decides to stand pat.
Rueben Bain Jr. and Caleb Downs are also worthy of consideration, having shone last time out. The Commanders need help absolutely everywhere on defense. But until they find ways to make quarterbacks uncomfortable, nothing much will change.
Adding Bailey would instantly shift the dynamic. And he's got a massive fan in Paulsen.