Commanders Upgrade Pass Rush in 2026 NFL Mock Draft
This year, the Washington Commanders and general manager Adam Peters drafted a mix of offense and defense in the NFL Draft.
Advertisement
With just five total picks in this year's selection show, Peters added three offensive players and two defensive players.
Second-round corner Trey Amos should help shore up the secondary, while sixth-round linebacker Kain Medrano might add some depth to the second level.
But Washington lost its sack leader from last year, Dante Fowler, Jr. Fowler tallied 10.5 sacks in 2024, and has moved back to the Dallas Cowboys for 2025.
We'll see how the Commanders' pass rush is affected by Fowler's departure. The club added Javon Kinlaw and Bobby Wagner, along with a slew of possible depth pieces on defense, and that should help.
Advertisement
But looking ahead to 2026, PFSN believes Washington could add some pass rush prowess in the first round of its way-too-early 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
The draft order has been established using the PFSN Mock Draft Simulator, which you can use to predict every round.
ROUND 1, PICK 27 - Washington Commanders: Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
"The Illinois Fighting Illini could be a strong contender in the race for the College Football Playoff in 2025," PFSN wrote. "The Champaign-based program achieved 10 wins for the first time since 2001 last season and aims to record back-to-back double-digit win seasons for the first time in school history. A significant factor in achieving those aims will be dynamic edge rusher Gabe Jacas, the star on an improving defense.
Advertisement
"The 6-3, 275-pound defender had eight sacks on 44 pressures in 2024, using his speed to power conversion, elusive first step, and pummeling hand usage to create leverage."
Related: Analyst Questions Commanders Defense Ahead of 2025
Related: Commanders' Second-Year Wideout Tabbed for 'Breakout Season'
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Nashville Predators' Spencer Stastney reveals lifelong battle with anxiety, depression
Nashville Predators defenseman Spencer Stastney, who missed much of the 2024-25 season while dealing with personal issues, revealed more details about what kept him away from hockey. Speaking to Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas on "32 Thoughts: The Podcast," Stastney revealed a lifelong battle with anxiety and depression that had him on the verge of retirement in 2024. "I was thinking that I'm done. That I'm absolutely done with hockey," Stastney said. In September 2024, two months after Stastney was awarded a two-year contract at arbitration, the Predators, announced he would miss training camp and no timetable was given for his return. In the podcast interview on Aug. 3, Stastney explained his struggles began much earlier than that, going back to his days as a youth hockey player in the Milwaukee area. It was at the end of the Milwaukee Admirals' deep run in the Calder Cup Playoffs in 2024 when Stastney realized he needed to step away from hockey. After talking with his agent, Pete Rutili, he had his retirement papers all drawn up, convinced that he couldn't play anymore. "I thought it was going to be a sigh of relief, that I was going to get up in the morning and feel great. I was going to apply for jobs, like I'm a new person. I'm free finally. And I was still miserable," Stastney said. Spencer Stastney details family history, therapy work in NHLPA's assistance program After finally meeting with a therapist through the NHLPA's player assistance program, Stastney made realizations about his family history that were contributing to his anxiety and depression. As a promising young hockey player in the Milwaukee area, Stastney's family split up to allow his career to blossom. While his father and sister stayed in Milwaukee, he moved with his mother and brother to the Chicago area, before eventually leaving for the U.S. National Team Development Program in Plymouth Michigan, when he was 16. His parents' eventual divorce, combined with other family dynamics, all added stress to his life and exacerbated his anxiety. "Knowing that everyone was having a tough time while I was having a blast with friends and living my best life, that guilt really weighed upon me and added up to a lot of things that I came to realize in therapy," Stastney explained. "Pretty much everything went south in my family after the Chicago move." The weight of that guilt made hockey miserable for Stastney. "I didn't take care of myself," he said. "Slowly things started to deteriorate. I wasn't doing anything outside of the rink. I'd go to the rink, I'd come home, I'd sit on my coach, like what do I do now?" After many lengthy therapy sessions last year, Stastney finally felt excited about returning to hockey in November − crediting his therapist and Predators' development coach Mark Borowiecki as key resources in that journey. On Nov. 27, Stastney was added to the Admirals roster and made his AHL season debut on Dec. 7. Following injuries to Adam Wilsby and Jeremy Lauzon, the Predators recalled Stastney on Jan. 2, where he played 23 games to close out the 2024-25 season. HOT START: Why Nashville Predators must begin 2025-26 season on a hot streak, and what might help Stastney admits there is still more work to be done along with his future as a hockey player. 'I'm still trying to figure out my relationship with hockey," said Stastney. Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@ Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Predators' Spencer Stastney reveals struggles with anxiety, depression
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Packers' Bo Melton takes big step in converting from wide receiver to cornerback
Bo knows cornerback. At least, that's how it's looking at Green Bay Packers training camp right now for Bo Melton. Melton has been a wide receiver in the NFL up until this summer. His brother is a corner for the Arizona Cardinals, but Melton hadn't followed that same path. Now, though, Melton is pretty much playing exclusively cornerback to try and make the Packers' roster. He and Green Bay both likely saw the writing on the wall at wide receiver. He was at best seventh on this current depth chart that includes Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Matthew Golden and Savion Williams. MORE: Micah Parsons breaks silence on his trade request Packers fans got a good look at Melton on Friday night at the Packers' Family Night training camp practice in the evening, and on at least one occasion, he looked up to the task. Lined up one-on-one with the speedy rookie Golden out wide, Melton matched him nearly step for step and did a good job to help break up a pass down the field. There's nothing Melton did there that screams, "This guy hasn't played cornerback before." MORE: Buccaneers' coach reveals chances of Shilo Sanders making Tampa Bay NFL roster Green Bay is a heck of a lot thinner and weaker at CB than WR, so if Melton can really show he belongs, it'd be a huge help. He also likely has an exponential learning curve there. He's got more room to grow since it's not a position he has played at this level before. Melton's best tests may come in the preseason games, when he's less familiar with the opposition and will have to react in real time. If he impresses there, he can seriously make this team. And it'd be a win for everyone, from Melton himself to the corner-needy Packers. MORE NFL NEWS: Trey Lance makes his quarterback case Rashee Rice gives update on his suspension Lions' Isaac TeSlaa shows reason for excitement around the rookie Ravens sign up swimming legend Michael Phelps to help with unexpected task Shedeur Sanders shares harsh reality with his dad, Deion Commanders have $3 million way to avoid Terry McLaurin trade
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Detroit Lions injury report: Taylor Decker off PUP, Dan Skipper dealing with ankle injury
Taylor Decker practiced Sunday for the first time this training camp but the Detroit Lions still are shorthanded on the offensive line. The Lions activated Decker off the physically unable to perform list Sunday. Campbell said Decker will take part in individual and group drills at practice – the first time the Lions have had their projected starting offensive line together this preseason – but will not participate in team drills. Dan Skipper, who's worked with the first-team offense in Decker's absence all camp, injured his ankle in the Lions' preseason-opening loss to the Los Angeles Chargers and will miss about a week. The Lions signed offensive lineman Justin Herron on Saturday. They play their second preseason game Friday, Aug. 8, against the Atlanta Falcons. "(Skipper will) probably be down for about a week," Campbell said. "Got his ankle a little bit. Shouldn't be long-term, but he's going to need to lay off of it for a little bit here." LET'S GUESS: Detroit Lions 53-man roster prediction: Still room for Hooker and Allen at backup QB? The Lions also are dealing with injuries in their secondary, where Campbell said cornerback Terrion Arnold will miss time with the hamstring injury he suffered last week. Arnold pulled up grabbing his hamstring in the Lions' intrasquad scrimmage and sat out the preseason opener along with the rest of the team's starters. Backup cornerback Khalil Dorsey remains on the physically unable to perform list recovering from the broken leg he suffered last season and starters D.J. Reed and Amik Robertson have missed time with injuries this summer. Campbell said Arnold could return mid-week. "It's not a major hamstring," he said. "This is a low-grade but we're trying to be smart with it." Tight end Kenny Yeboah also will miss Sunday's practice for personal reasons. Yeboah left the Chargers game to get his ankle re-taped but did not suffer a significant injury, Campbell said. Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@ Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions injury report: Taylor Decker comes off PUP, Arnold OK
