4 edge rushing draft steals the Commanders could land before anyone notices

"Of the 20 highest-graded pass-rushing edges, according to Pro Football Focus, 12 of them were first-round draft selections, and six of those were chosen in the first three picks. Six others were Day 2 picks, leaving just two - Nick Herbig and Maxx Crosby - as Day 3 choices. Both of them came in round four."

"Jaishawn Barsham began his college career at Maryland before transferring to Michigan in 2024. At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, he profiles to be an ideal outside linebacker if Daronte Jones does want to run more 3-4 base fronts. He may be somewhat undersized to play a traditional defensive end role, but his frame looks like he could add some weight."

"At the NFL Scouting Combine, he showed exceptional burst off the line with a 1.61-second 10-yard split in his 40-yard dash. But unlike the Pittsburgh Steelers star, who entered the league with a fully developed set of pass rush moves, Barsham still needs development. The tradeoff is that he is already a skilled run defender."

The Washington Commanders face an urgent need to build a strong edge defender rotation, as successful playoff teams consistently deploy multiple talented defensive ends and outside linebackers. Analysis of the 20 highest-graded pass-rushing edges reveals that 12 were first-round selections, with six chosen in the top three picks overall. Only two Day 3 picks—Nick Herbig and Maxx Crosby—achieved elite status. This pattern demonstrates that premium pass-rushers typically command high draft capital. However, opportunities exist to find value later in the draft. Jaishawn Barsham, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound prospect who transferred from Maryland to Michigan, represents one such possibility. He demonstrates exceptional athleticism with a 1.61-second 10-yard split and excels as a run defender, though he requires further development of his pass-rush technique.

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