Adam Peters is in a tricky situation. His gamble to propel the Washington Commanders into win-now mode during the offseason hasn't reaped the required rewards. Injuries haven't helped, but the general manager has a significant amount of hard work ahead of him as his third recruitment period begins.
The Commanders could have more than $100 million in salary-cap space if the necessary sacrifices are made. That should help plug some holes, but if the front-office leader wants a more sustainable future, building through the draft is crucial.
There's a problem. The Commanders only have six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft as things stand. Only two of those are in the first four rounds, so it's going to take some significant maneuvering to find the pieces needed in pursuit of bringing this organization forward.
Commanders bolster pass-rush with David Bailey in 2026 NFL mock draft
If there's one consolation, the Commanders are projected to have a top 10 pick right now. That widens the net for Peters to potentially navigate a trade down, but Travis Maye of A to Z Sports believes standing pat and taking edge rusher David Bailey could be a better option.
"David Bailey of Texas Tech is the only power conference player in the country who is set to post back-to-back years with a pass rush pressure rate above 20%. This season he’s putting up an absurd 23% pass rush pressure rate and he’s leading the nation in sacks. Grabbing the best pure edge rusher in the 2026 NFL Draft class who always has a strong plan of attack is an easy win for the Commanders."
Travis Maye
The Commanders desperately need help generating more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Dorance Armstrong Jr., Jacob Martin, and rotational presence Javontae Jean-Baptiste should be back, but the same cannot be said of the others. Peters didn't address this critical position group as fans had hoped last spring. He cannot do the same again.
Bailey would solve a lot of their problems. He's got the size and explosiveness that Dan Quinn has had success with in the past. The head coach can move him around the line of scrimmage to exploit mismatches, and his relentless energy and burst off the snap would be a revelation from the moment he gets onto the field in Washington.
While Bailey lacks the size to be a three-down defensive end, he's a versatile chess piece who can make things happen consistently. With his pass-rushing repertoire ready for the pros immediately, the Commanders could do a lot worse.
A lot can and will happen before then. But there is no doubt Bailey's exceptional rise makes him worthy of consideration.