If you only consider sacks, the Washington Commanders had a pass rush unit that finished in the middle of the pack in 2025.

Led by veteran Von Miller’s nine, the Commanders’ defense totaled 42 sacks on the season. When he was hurt shortly before midseason, defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr. was on pace for 13 sacks. Losing Armstrong, along with fellow ends Deatrich Wise Jr. and Javontae Jean-Baptiste, no doubt caused the pass rush to suffer.

This was never projected to be a strength of the defense, and there is no guarantee that the return of the injured players in 2026 will provide much relief. Despite that decent sack total, Washington finished at or near the bottom of the league in most other metrics.

They were dead last in quarterback hurries despite blitzing a fair amount. Apart from Armstrong, there are no other edge rushers who inspire a great deal of confidence set to return next season.

Improving the pass rush, especially from the traditional edge position, would seem to be a very high priority for Adam Peters this offseason. At first glance, the 2026 draft appears to provide some quality edge-rushing talent.

It may be comparable to last year, though there is no consensus top choice, as Abdul Carter was in 2025. That means the Commanders, should they keep the No. 7 overall pick, will have a good selection of prospects to consider.

One of the best is Texas Tech’s David Bailey.

Texas Tech Edge David Bailey’s 2026 NFL Draft Scouting ReportHeight: 6-foot-3Weight: 250 poundsExpected 40 Yard Dash Time: 4.52 secondsRecruiting: 4-star recruit, consensus top-ten ranked linebacker nationallyCollege Production: 46 games, 163 tackles, 42 tackles-for-loss, 29 sacks, 10 forced fumblesPositives: Excellent combination of size and speed.Dynamic pass rusher with explosive first step. Can beat tackles on the outside, but also has enough game to bull rush or spin inside when opposing linemen overcommit outside.Speed allows him to track down ball carriers from the back side, resulting in plenty of tackles for loss.Great agility means he is not a liability in coverage.Versatility allows Bailey to play virtually anywhere on the front seven.

In 2025, Bailey lined up most often wide on the right side of the defense. Another top edge prospect, Romello Height, on the left. But they could flip, and the prospect showed equal burst coming from either side.

He also occasionally shifted inside to cover the B-gap and use his speed to beat opposing guards. Bailey also easily dropped into shallow zones. Though he will not shift inside in the pros, his natural athleticism will give defensive coordinators a lot of room to explore.

His 19.5 tackles for loss in 2025 indicate just how relentless he is in pursuing runners from the backside.

Negatives:Bailey’s lean frame may have trouble winning against NFL tackles. His fram looks as if he could carry more weight but whether he can add bulk and maintain his elite speed remains an open question. Bailey was a very good run defender in college but he lacks ideal size to set edges in the pros. He is a much better run defender pursuing from the backside than sealing off the leading edge.Though he could often blow past college tackles with his speed, in the NFL he will need a more complete set of pass rush moves. He has already shown the ability to incorporate spins and bull rushes, but he will need to sharpen them to have success at the next level.

Bailey is 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds with enough speed and raw power to make Bruce Feldman’s elite Freaks List. But he looks even taller and leaner than that in person.

There is no questioning Bailey’s exquisite athleticism, but there is a legitimate concern about whether he carries enough sheer mass to stand up against 320-pound NFL linemen on a play-by-play basis. Though he has the agility to play a linebacker role, his pass-rushing skill almost demands that his career follow the trajectory of Micah Parsons, who moved from a hybrid linebacker to a more standard attacking defensive end as he developed.

Parsons is a unique talent. Though Bailey shows glimpses of similar skill, he will probably have to add some bulk to be truly effective in the NFL.

David Bailey NFL Player Comparison: Giants Edge Abdul Carter

Carter was the first edge defender selected in the 2025 draft, and Bailey could be the first or second to go in 2026.

Like Carter, he was simply a dominant force in college. At times, he was simply unblockable. The New York Giants rookie took a while to adjust to the pro game during his rookie season, and Bailey could find himself in the same boat.

But like Carter, he should be a major addition to any NFL squad by the end of his rookie campaign.

If he shows he can carry extra weight without sacrificing his burst and agility, then Bailey could have an even loftier NFL comp — someone like game-changing edge Khalil Mack.

David Bailey NFL Draft Grade: Top 10 Selection

Bailey should be the first or second edge off the board this year. There are a few bigger players who could supplant him if they come up big during the evaluation process, and if teams are concerned about Bailey’s relatively thin frame.

But he checks every other box. He has experience and a track record of production. Before transferring for his final season at Texas Tech, Bailey was a standout at Stanford — where he earned his degree ahead of schedule.

Bailey is a leader and a relentless worker who can dominate lesser competition with his above-average athleticism. He may ultimately be a better fit as an edge in a 3-4 front, so teams that use a base 4-3 might downgrade him slightly, but he has the proven capability to be a very high-upside pass rusher at the next level.