2026 Senior Bowl Day 2 Winners: Commanders’ wide receiver and linebacker draft prospects dominate practice
The Commanders had their eyes on four prospects who dominated the second day of the Senior Bowl, led by Malachi Fields and Jacob Rodriguez.
The 2026 Panini Senior Bowl kicks off the draft season, and every team in the league is in Mobile, Alabama, to watch the top prospects compete against each other.
They wasted no time making noise after a busy first day filled with standouts, and a lot of them followed it up on day two with a strong practice. I decided to list my biggest standouts on day two who weren’t mentioned in day one, and there are four prospects the Commanders need to target at weak positions.
Day Two standouts at the Senior Bowl for the Commanders
Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Carroll
Every year, we see a small school player come to the Senior Bowl and shock everyone out of nowhere, and this year, it’s wide receiver Tyren Montgomery from John Carroll. Montgomery has been the biggest star of the Senior Bowl and created the most buzz through the first two practices. He’s only been playing football for two and a half years, and he looks like a veteran prospect already. Montgomery played basketball before football, and it’s helped him translate to the field, especially with his release package.
He’s made defensive backs look clueless all week long, and definitely has the attention of every team in the league. Whether it was by separation or jumping above defenders to high-point the ball at only 5-11, 190 pounds, Montgomery won consistently against a lot of big-name corners.
Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
We knew one of the bigger named wide receivers would take over with a weaker group of prospects at the position, and Malachi Fields rose above the rest on day two. He flashed his 6-4, 218-pound frame in practice with full extension catches, but also had the play of the day on a deep bomb where he fully laid out for the catch. Fields will be one of the players that benefits the most from this week, and could be in play at pick 71 for the Commanders. The Commanders need another outside wide receiver opposite of Terry McLaurin, and Fields can stretch the deep field, while also using his very underrated speed in the short routes as well.
Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Jacob Rodriguez was a player I was excited to see in person after a dominant season at Texas Tech. His 2025 season earned him plenty of Heisman votes, and rightfully so after one of the best LB seasons we’ve seen in a very long time. He was one of the best players on the field for the second day of practice, and caused a fumble and had an interception as well. This is exactly what he did at Texas Tech with seven forced fumbles and four interceptions in 2025. Rodriguez is the perfect linebacker prospect both on and off the field, and it’ll be interesting to see how his draft process goes as someone projected to go in the late third or fourth round.
Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
Kyle Louis isn’t the biggest linebacker at 5-11, 224 pounds, but he can absolutely fly and play physical. He showed in practice that he can read and react to plays and run downhill in the run game. Louis also had a chance to show his range and speed in coverage against tight ends and running backs at practice in one-on-one drills, and actually had an interception, which is hard to do in those drills. This is a player who would fit defensive coordinator Daronte Jones’ defense as a versatile piece, and I’m keeping a close eye on Louis for the Commanders’ linebacker room.
Washington Commanders News
Jayden Daniels’ former teammate makes a strong statement on Commanders QB’s leadership skills and unique abilities
LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier praises Jayden Daniels as his former teammate while he prepares for the 2026 NFL Draft.
