The Washington Commanders will be selecting at No. 7 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they have no shortage of needs to fill.
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs will be a top option given the Commanders' black hole at the position. Washington could also elect to add a weapon to quarterback Jayden Daniels' receiving game, or bolster its backfield with running back Jeremiyah Love.
However, the Commanders' biggest need of all is on the defensive line. Adam Peters neglected the position group last spring, and he can't afford to make that same mistake again. And there's a prime opportunity for an elite prospect to fall right into Washington's lap.
Rueben Bain Jr. would be exactly what the Commanders need
NFL Draft analyst Thor Nystrom appeared on The Team 980 to sing the praises of Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., suggesting that he should be Washington's top pick. It checks out.
Thor Nystrom says he would draft Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 7 overall if he were the Commanders pic.twitter.com/JvsOl9gkrK
— The Team 980 (@team980) January 21, 2026
On the defensive side of the ball, there's no more important type of player to have than a game-wrecking pass rusher. The Commanders haven't had one in a long time, unless Chase Young's electric Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign in 2020 or Daron Payne's 11.5-sack Pro Bowl season in 2022 count.
In 2025, the Commanders had a glaring hole opposite Dorance Armstrong Jr. all season. Peters signed Deatrich Wise Jr. to start, but he only played two games before suffering a season-ending quadriceps tear. The rest of the campaign saw Preston Smith, Jacob Martin, and others take turns in the role, with Frankie Luvu also playing significant snaps out of position at the edge.
Bain has superstar upside who can make an immediate impact. He is constantly generating pressure in opposing backfields, and he's a productive run stopper as well. He draws comparisons to legends such as Dwight Freeney. With his hulking build and three seasons of high-volume college experience, he shouldn't take long to adjust to the NFL.
The only problem for Washington is that there's a good chance Bain will no longer be on the board when the Commanders make their selection. The Tennessee Titans, in particular, stand out as a team that could use his services, and they pick at No. 4 overall. Three out of four of CBS Sports' panel of draft experts have the AFC South club snagging him there.
That said, a lot can happen in the next three months. Draft boards tend not to truly come into focus until after the NFL Scouting Combine, and then there's always the chance of a surprise shakeup or two on the night itself.
Washington will have several options to consider, but if Bain is there, he has to be at the top of the list.