The 2025 NFL season is over for 28 NFL teams. This upcoming weekend is the AFC and NFC Championship games, but for everyone else, it’s all about the offseason. And that means it’s the perfect time for a Mel Kiper Jr. mock draft. Who does Kiper see the Washington Commanders taking at No. 7 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Kiper correctly believes Washington should target defense with its first-round pick, projecting Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. to the Commanders.
NFC East quarterbacks and offensive tackles aren’t going to be happy if Washington goes this way. Bain knows how to reach the quarterback, with 9.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss in 2025 (including a sack and 2.5 TFLs on Monday night against Indiana in the national title game). He has a great mix of power, speed and bend, and the Commanders could move him around on the defensive line to create mismatches. Von Miller led the team with nine sacks this season, but he will turn 37 in March and isn’t under contract for 2026. This is a clear need for Washington after the defense allowed 6.0 yards per play, tied for third worst in the league.
Bain is a polarizing player. Not because he’s not an excellent player, but there are some concerns about arm length. Some draft analysts believe he may be better inside at the next level. Bain was a productive player throughout his three-year career at Miami and was a dominant force in the College Football Playoff. In the four CFP games, Bain recorded 17 tackles, including eight for loss, and five sacks. He’s outstanding against the run, too.
If you’re the Commanders, you just need as many good defensive players as possible. So while there are questions about Bain, there are about almost every prospect in this draft. If the goal is to add good football players who can create havoc, then Bain is that guy.
