The Commanders have a choice to make with the No. 7 pick in the upcoming NFL draft. The clock unofficially starts ticking this week as the top prospects in college football convene with teams at the scouting combine in Indianapolis.

Washington has plenty of holes to fill after an underwhelming 5-12 campaign that featured one of the worst defenses in the league and a revolving door at pass-catcher. 

It’ll be the third first-round pick for the coach and general manager duo of Dan Quinn and Adam Peters. Their first pick — quarterback Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 overall selection in 2024 — was named Offensive Rookie of the Year and quickly blossomed into a franchise cornerstone. 

“Hopefully it’s the same,” Peters said Tuesday. “You approach everything the same, and you want to really uncover every stone and do all the work on all the different possibilities, whether you stay and pick, you trade back, you trade up. You want to be sure you have all your bases covered.”

The combine festivities, including press conferences and team interviews with players, began earlier in the week. But the on-field drills, including the 40-yard dash, kick off on Thursday. 

Here are a handful of players to watch as Commanders fans move into draft season:

Caleb Downs

Safety Caleb Downs could be one of the best safety prospects in years, a versatile chess piece who could play a variety of roles across a defense. He draws comparisons to Pro Bowlers like Kyle Hamilton of the Baltimore Ravens and Derwin James of the Los Angeles Chargers.

With the Buckeyes, Downs flourished as a deep safety, a slot cornerback and an extra body in the box. 

That would make him an invaluable addition to the disguise-heavy scheme favored by new Commanders defensive coordinator Daronte Jones. 

Jones worked under Brian Flores with the Minnesota Vikings in one of the most blitz-happy systems in the league. His safeties were expected to play close to the line of scrimmage, ready to drop into zone coverage or blitz in an effort to confuse opposing offenses. 

That’s exactly what Downs did at Ohio State. He was a two-time All-American, winning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors last season as he finished ninth in Heisman voting. 

Sonny Styles

Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles met with Washington’s coaching staff on Thursday to discuss how the versatile defender could slot into the Commanders’ new-look defense. 

Bobby Wagner, the 35-year-old perennial All-Pro who has been Washington’s defensive signal-caller for the last two seasons, is slated to become a free agent next month. Styles has the potential to replace him for the burgundy and gold. 

“It starts with being a versatile linebacker. I think I can play the mike, will, sand and do all three at a high level,” Styles told reporters. “I’m a very athletic player and it shows up in my game.” 

The 21-year-old began his Ohio State career as a safety, but his 240-pound frame allowed him to move closer to the line of scrimmage. He still possesses a ball-hawking mentality and noted that he has modeled his game after San Francisco 49ers All-Pro Fred Warner, who is widely considered the best pass-defending linebacker in the NFL. 

“You can see [Warner]’s a smart football player by the way he anticipates the game…” Styles said, also singling out newly minted Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly. “That’s what I want for myself. I’m a great athlete, but I want my football intelligence to stick out more than my athleticism.”

Reuben Bain

Not every defensive prospect is as clear of a slam dunk. Miami edge rusher Reuben Bain could have the strength, speed and power to be an elite defender, but many analysts have raised concerns about his relatively diminutive arm length. 

He told reporters that no NFL teams, including the Commanders, voiced similar concerns during meetings this week. 

“I just talk the talk and walk the walk and play with technique,” Bain said. “Nobody really asked me about it.”

Bain posted 9.5 sacks for the Hurricanes during his final season, wrecking opposing offensive linemen as he matched up with guards and tackles. 

He doesn’t lack confidence, either.

“Whatever team ends up picking me, they’re going to get the best out of me and the best player in the draft, in my opinion,” the 21-year-old said. “I’m going to come in with the mindset to work every day, prove myself in the locker room and just be the person that I am.”

David Bailey

The debate over the top pure edge rusher in the class has been divided between Bain and Texas Tech’s David Bailey. While Bain’s critics cite arm length as an issue, Bailey’s 250-pound frame worries other analysts. 

But his speed and quick-twitch moves off the line might be unique enough to wash away those concerns. 

“I’m just a bit more explosive. I have a great first step. I have a whole bunch of moves. I’ve got a diverse set of tools. …” said Bailey, who met with the Commanders on Wednesday. 

Bailey led the nation with 14 1/2 sacks during his final season with the Red Raiders. The Commanders are desperate for that kind of production. Von Miller, who turns 37 next month, led Washington with nine sacks. 

“I’m willing to do anything for them. Pass-rushing, special teams,” Bailey said after meeting with the Commanders. “I’d just be grateful for the opportunity.”

Jeremiyah Love

The Commanders aren’t siloed into a defensive prospect with their first-round pick. The franchise met with Notre Dame running back Jermiyah Love on Wednesday, one of the top playmakers. 

Early scouting reports on Love call the all-around back a potential game-changer for any NFL offense. The Commanders could use the assist. 

The team only has one running back under contract for next season — second-year rusher Jacory Croskey-Merritt. But Croskey-Merritt lacks pass-catching prowess, recording just nine catches in his rookie season. 

Love would offer a new dimension for Washington’s revamped attack led by first-year coordinator David Blough. The Notre Dame product recorded 35 rushing touchdowns and 2,497 yards on the ground over the last two seasons. He also added 55 receptions for 517 yards over that span.

“I’m willing to do anything for this team to have success,” Love said to prospective coaches on the “This is Football” podcast. “Anything for this team to bring home a Super Bowl.”