Commanders 7-round 2024 NFL mock draft: Missing pieces edition

Commanders draft Myles Cole

• Linebacker/Edge Rusher | Texas Tech Red Raiders
• No. 222 overall

Adam Peters had a plan in place to give the Washington Commanders a major boost at the linebacker positions. Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu are the team's marquee additions. Jeremy Chinn could also see plenty of time at the defensive second level. Anthony Pittman is a solid rotational piece and an exceptional special teamer. Keandre Jones was acquired earlier in the offseason, but his immediate role is unclear.

Taking a flier on Myles Cole at this stage would give Dan Quinn another athletic option to call upon. The Texas Tech prospect has experience as an edge rusher and off-ball linebacker. He's not the most explosive by any stretch, but gaining an advantage through leverage and eye-catching footwork does the trick instead.

Cole is just scratching the surface with room to add bulk and enhance his pass-rushing repertoire. This is the sort of athletic specimen Quinn loves to place in multiple alignments in pursuit of creating mismatches. It might not happen right away, but the Commanders have enough options to bring him along gradually after acquiring several immediate contributors during free agency.

Perhaps taking a gamble on an unheralded offensive weapon might be the way to go here. But Cole does have some enticing features to his game that could mesh well with Quinn's schematic concepts.