While some mock drafts have the Washington Commanders targeting Rueben Bain Jr., others seem them going a slightly different direction. But Mel Kiper’s Ohio State mock draft pick for the Commanders would make NFL history.
Kiper's latest ESPN mock draft has the Commanders landing linebacker Sonny Styles of the Buckeyes.
“This would be the fourth Ohio State player off the board — the most ever in the first seven picks for one school, per ESPN Research,” Kiper wrote. “Styles is getting a lot of love around the league right now, and he's going to be fun to watch at the combine if he works out. The former safety has real speed on a 6-foot-4, 243-pound frame.
“With the Commanders' defense getting crushed for 6.0 yards per play last season (tied for third worst) and potentially losing 35-year-old free agent Bobby Wagner up the middle, this fit makes sense. But also keep an eye on Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and the receiver class as a whole if the board falls this way.”
Is Mel Kiper stretching his mock to fit a narrative?
Sure, Styles is a top-end talent. And yes, he will likely go high in the draft. But Styles isn’t at all what the Commanders need with this pick.
Kiper’s assumption that Wagner won’t be around is fine. There is a narrative that says he will leave. But even if he does, the Commanders still need an edge rusher. They simply have to get after the quarterback better. And that has to be a priority over a guy who can control the middle of the defense.
And this is why Kiper’s fun Ohio State time mock draft fails. His first six picks are as follows:
- Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
- Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
- David Bailey, OLB, Texas Tech
- Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
- Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
- Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
So what is the problem? Rueben Bain Jr. is still on the draft board at this point. And while it makes sense that the Commanders could opt for David Bailey, or even Caleb Downs, over Bain, it makes no sense for the Commanders to let Bain go at this point.
