As the dust settles on Senior Bowl week in Mobile, Alabama, the unofficial start to the 2026 NFL season is officially underway. All 32 teams were in attendance, including the Super Bowl-bound New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, getting a firsthand look at the next wave of NFL talent. For the Washington Commanders, this week was more than just scouting-it was about setting the tone for one of the most pivotal offseasons in recent franchise memory.
Leading the Commanders’ contingent was new general manager Adam Peters, and he’s got his work cut out for him. Washington enters the offseason flush with cap space but burdened with holes across the roster-especially on defense. With the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and a chance to reshape the identity of this team, Peters and his staff were locked in on evaluating impact players who could help turn things around quickly.
While some top prospects like Rueben Bain and David Bailey opted out of the Senior Bowl, the week still showcased plenty of talent. For a Commanders team in need of difference-makers, these six players stood out as potential fits-especially at positions where Washington needs reinforcements.
Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
If you’re looking for a wide receiver who checks all the boxes physically and still feels like a hidden gem, Malachi Fields is your guy. At 6-foot-4, Fields brings size and physicality to the position-something Washington’s receiving corps could use more of. After four seasons at Virginia, he transferred to Notre Dame, where the numbers didn’t jump off the page, but the traits certainly did.
Fields impressed scouts in Mobile with his ability to win contested catches, block on the perimeter, and make plays downfield. Most importantly, he plays like a big receiver-using his frame to his advantage rather than just looking the part.
With this year’s draft class loaded at wideout, Fields could slip into Day 2 and become a steal. For a Commanders offense that needs a reliable outside target, he’s a name to keep an eye on.
Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
Zion Young might not be a household name just yet, but that could change quickly. The 6-foot-5, 262-pound edge rusher began his college career at Michigan State before transferring to Missouri, where he truly came into his own. His 2025 season was a breakout campaign-42 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and a staggering 56 pressures.
What sets Young apart is his power. He’s got the length and speed you want on the edge, but it’s the way he converts speed to power that makes him a nightmare for offensive linemen.
At just 21 years old, his best football is still ahead of him. If the Commanders decide to trade back and accumulate more picks, Young could be a high-upside option to bolster a pass rush that needs fresh legs and long-term answers.
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
T.J. Parker is another edge defender who turned heads in Mobile-and not for the first time.
After a breakout 2024 season at Clemson, Parker’s production dipped slightly in 2025, but his talent was never in question. He finished the year with 37 tackles, 9.5 for loss, and five sacks-solid numbers, but what he showed during Senior Bowl week reminded scouts why he was once considered a top-5 prospect.
Parker’s ability to both rush the passer and set the edge in the run game makes him a complete defensive end. He’s not just a pass-rush specialist-he’s a three-down player. For a Washington defense that needs to rebuild its front seven, Parker offers the kind of versatility and pedigree that could make him a foundational piece.
Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
If Washington is looking to get younger and more explosive on the interior defensive line, Lee Hunter is a name to circle. The 300-pounder came into the week as a borderline first-rounder, but after dominating in practices, he’s now firmly in that first-round conversation.
Hunter combines rare size with surprising athleticism. He’s a run stuffer with a powerful base, but what jumps out is his first step-it’s quick enough to disrupt plays before they develop.
With Daron Payne’s future uncertain and former first-rounder Johnny Newton still finding his footing, Hunter could be a long-term solution at defensive tackle. He’s not just a space-eater-he’s a potential game-wrecker.
Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
Let’s not mince words-Kyle Louis was the best player on the field during Senior Bowl week. Undersized?
Sure, at 6-foot, 224 pounds, he’s not your prototypical linebacker. But in today’s NFL, instincts, speed, and versatility matter more than ever, and Louis checks every box.
He’s a missile in the run game, a reliable tackler in space, and he can cover tight ends and running backs with ease. He’s also fast-really fast.
Louis was clocked at over 21 MPH in a game last season, and that speed shows up on tape. A former first-team All-American, Louis looks like the kind of linebacker who can quarterback a defense for the next decade.
For a Commanders unit that needs to get faster and more dynamic, Louis would be a home-run pick.
Bud Clark, S, TCU
Bud Clark is one of those players who just always seems to be around the football. A ballhawk in college, Clark continued that trend in Mobile, where he had a strong week of practice that confirmed what scouts already knew-this guy can play.
Clark has the range and instincts to patrol the deep middle, but he’s also physical enough to come down and help in run support. He’s the kind of safety who can wear multiple hats in a modern NFL defense.
For Washington, landing Clark would provide a much-needed boost on the back end. He’s a plug-and-play starter with the kind of versatility that defensive coordinators love.
Final Thoughts
The Commanders are in a fascinating spot heading into the 2026 offseason. With ample cap space, a top-10 pick, and a new front office regime, the opportunity to reshape the roster is very real. What they do in free agency will set the tone, but the draft-starting with the Senior Bowl evaluations-will be where the foundation is truly laid.
Washington doesn’t need just bodies-they need impact players. And this week in Mobile, they got a close look at several prospects who fit that mold.
Whether it’s a rangy linebacker like Kyle Louis, a disruptive interior lineman like Lee Hunter, or an under-the-radar wideout like Malachi Fields, the Commanders have options. Now it’s about making the right calls.