The Commanders’ scouts got a close look at a huge favorite to be their selection in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft
The Commanders were at the Oregon and Texas Tech game, and got a good look at David Baily, who is a big favorite to be drafted by Washington in the first round.
The Washington Commanders still have one game left in the season, but they’re on the road watching the best games in the College Football Playoff, as they prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Scouting is a year-long process, and going to a game to watch it live is a big part of the scouts’ travel schedule during the year to see critical must-see matchups. The Commanders had scouts at the Oregon and Texas Tech Orange Bowl game in the College Football Playoff, and got to see one playmaker who is a huge target to land in Washington in Arpil.
EDGE rusher David Bailey didn’t disappoint in his final college game, and the Commanders had to be impressed with what they saw.
David Bailey dominates against Oregon in CFB Playoff showdown
The Commanders need a pass rusher this offseason, and there’s no doubt that David Bailey is the best pure pass rusher in the 2026 NFL Draft. Rueben Bain Jr. had a massive game against Ohio State, and plays with a lot of strength, but he doesn’t have the speed and pass-rush moveset that Bailey has. It didn’t take long for Bailey to show up against the Ducks, and he had a sack in the first drive that flashed his speed around the edge.
Bailey has long arms that help him get his strong hands on blockers, and moves around them with ease at 6-3, 250 pounds. He also had several plays at the line where he jumped up and batted the pass down. Even when he doesn’t get a sack, his pressure and QB hit forced an interception in the third quarter. He leads the nation in pressures, sacks, and QB hits this season as the best pass rusher in 2025, and added to it against Oregon with an overall dominating game.
Can David Bailey be a good enough run stopper?
For as good a pass rusher as he is, people will question if he can play all three downs as a dependable run stopper, and he made his case against a really good Oregon rushing attack as well. Bain is surely the better run stopper between the two, but Bailey’s speed and ability to explode in the backfield showed themselves as well.
He has a run-stop rate of 8.4%, which is still in the upper tier, and I don’t see him struggling in the NFL with how easily he gets off blocks. Pushing him around will not be an easy task for anyone, and he’s only going to get stronger and faster as a 22-year old prospect.
The Commanders will be in a position to take a lot of top players in the 2026 NFL Draft, and it will be an ongoing debate all offseason on who they should take.
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