Commanders Upgrade Pass Rush in 2026 NFL Mock Draft

Jul 20, 2025 12:16 PM EDT

This year, the Washington Commanders and general manager Adam Peters drafted a mix of offense and defense in the NFL Draft.

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.

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.

“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.”