NFL Draft Rumors on Commanders' Links to Arvell Reese, Carnell Tate, Caleb Downs, More OSU Prospects

The Washington Commanders haven't picked an Ohio State player in the NFL draft since Chase Young in 2020. That might change this spring.

ESPN's John Keim listed off Buckeyes edge-rusher Arvell Reese, linebacker Sonny Styles, safety Caleb Downs and wide receiver Carnell Tate as possible options for Washington at No. 7. A Commanders source told Keim that defensive tackle Kayden McDonald could be in the mix, too.

Downs, Reese, Tate and Styles are all among the top 14 overall players in Bleacher Report's big board. With an overall grade of 9.3, Downs has the highest rating of any prospect. McDonald (No. 25) would be a reach for Washington but is at least trending to be a Day 1 selection.

Naturally, Commanders general manager Adam Peters plans on having a presence at OSU's pro day on March 25.

"It makes it easier to see all of them at once," he said, per Keim. "There's a lot of guys on that defense that are really good."

Peters' remark about the Buckeyes defense could be telling as to his priorities in the first round.

The Commanders allowed an NFL-worst 384 yards per game and finished 27th in scoring defense (26.5 points). Keim reported Monday the team "is expected to be aggressive on the free agent market, particularly at corner."

Jayden Daniels missing 10 games played a role in Washington's 5-12 finish. Even if the young quarterback had stayed healthy, the porous defense likely would've kept the franchise out of the playoffs.

Focusing on offense instead and taking Tate would make its own sense with Deebo Samuel hitting the open market. The passing game lacks a good No. 2 option behind Terry McLaurin.

Availability could help determine the team's ultimate choice.

In Bleacher Report's newest mock draft, Reese and Styles were both gone by the time the Commanders were on the clock. Miami edge-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. was the projected pick, with Tate going eighth to the New Orleans Saints.