Commanders end years of frustration with bold 2026 mock draft pick
The Washington Commanders' defensive front has been a pleasant surprise through the first four weeks of the season. However, this area of the field is one that general manager Adam Peters will look to improve next spring.
Peters never stands still. He is always looking for ways to enhance the roster, and he's been aggressive in his quest to keep the Commanders in contention. But for his long-term strategy to bear fruit in the coming years, the front-office leader needs to build through the draft for sustained growth.
Finding veteran free agents capable of helping immediately was a necessary evil for Peters, thanks in no small part to four years of terrible drafts from the previous head coach and primary decision-maker, Ron Rivera. That'll suffice for now, but it can't be an ongoing trend.
Commanders bet on Quincy Rhodes Jr. in CBS Sports' latest mock draft
Mike Renner from CBS Sports agrees. The draft analyst thought betting on the upside of defensive lineman Quincy Rhodes Jr. could be a possibility for the Commanders, something that would provide the trenches with another explosive weapon that can be molded into a valuable contributor.
[Quincy] Rhodes is one of the biggest risers in college football this season in his first year as a starter. The 6-foot-6, 275-pounder has 18 pressures already this season. He's still raw, but the physical tools are good enough to still go high.Mike Renner
Rhodes has propelled himself into first-round consideration after a phenomenal season for the Arkansas Razorbacks thus far. He's ferocious off the snap, boasting a sound blend of burst and violent hands that make things extremely difficult for opposing offensive linemen. There are some technical flaws to address, but the Commanders' high-caliber coaching staff possesses the necessary credentials to maximize his influence.
The Commanders don't have much high-end draft capital after some frantic trade activity from Peters in recent months. That makes hitting on their first-rounder all the more critical, so betting on an athletically gifted but raw prospect might not be in the team's best interests.
It's impossible to determine for sure at this time. There is a long way to go and a lot of football — both at the NFL and collegiate levels — left to play before the all-important draft assessment process takes center stage. But it's not hard to see why Rhodes will be emerging on the draft radars around the league.
Peters will have a plan in mind. That could change, but the Commanders could do far worse than examine Rhodes' capabilities in greater detail.
Lions' Dominance Expected in Week 5 as They Take on Burrow-less Bengals
The Detroit Lions hit the road Sunday to face the Zac Taylor-led Cincinnati Bengals.
Detroit is coming off a 34-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 4. Meanwhile, the Bengals (2-2) were defeated by the Denver Broncos last week, 28-3.
Without further ado, here are the predictions from the Detroit Lions On SI staff for the Lions' Week 5 matchup with Cincinnati.
Christian Booher
The Detroit Lions have what appears to be a golden opportunity to finish 3-0 against the AFC North during their early season stretch against the division. After vanquishing the Ravens and Browns, Detroit will face a Cincinnati team without starting quarterback Joe Burrow.
Detroit's defense has been solid in recent weeks, and will be the key for defeating the Bengals and their talented array of playmakers. By putting pressure on Jake Browning, the Lions can neutralize the impact of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Offensively, Jared Goff and company should be in position to exploit the Bengals' defensive struggles. By limiting big plays and getting after Jake Browning, the Lions should be in position to win comfortably on the road.
Lions 38, Bengals 20
Vito Chirco
Cincinnati, which has dropped two straight contests, has fallen on hard times and now gets the chance to square off with the red-hot Lions Sunday. Detroit, meanwhile, is looking to record its fourth straight victory.
The Bengals will be without their star quarterback Joe Burrow, who is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of three months with a Grade 3 turf toe injury.
Additionally, Cincinnati is averaging just 15.3 points per game – the third-lowest points per game average – and is allowing nearly 30 points a game (29.8).
Plus, the Bengals have permitted the third-most yards through the air this season (1,048). It should lead to a productive day for Jared Goff and Detroit's passing attack, which has produced the second-most passing touchdowns thus far this season (nine).
All of this leads me to believe Dan Campbell’s squad will walk out of Cincinnati sitting at 4-1 on the young season.
Lions 34, Bengals 17
John Maakaron
The Detroit Lions are catching the Bengals after they were recently dominated by the Denver Broncos.
Without Joe Burrow, the excitement level for this contest has diminished. Detroit and its fans are expected to take over Paycor Stadium.
Detroit’s defense should make it another long afternoon for backup quarterback Jake Browning.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff is having an MVP-caliber season, and his connection with Amon-Ra St. Brown is must-watch on a weekly basis.
Detroit continues to handle its business and puts away another weaker opponent.
DJ Reader and David Montgomery are going to want to have special performances this week.
Lions 31, Bengals 20
Emmett Matasovsky
On paper, this game should not be close. The Lions are favored by two scores for good reason. Cincinnati is down star quarterback Joe Burrow, and Jake Browning did not inspire confidence last weekend for the Bengals.
They have lost their last two games by a combined 58 points, and squeaked by the Browns in Week 1. All of this leads to a strong belief in the Lions on Sunday.
The biggest question becomes how to contain Ja'Marr Chase, but it will be hard for Chase to do much if the Bengals’ pass-blocking cannot fend off Aidan Hutchinson, Al-Quadin Muhammad and the defensive front.
This game is likely over by half, and David Montgomery puts up 100 rushing yards in his return home. Plus, Amon-Ra St. Brown adds another touchdown to his prolific start for good measure.
Lions 38, Bengals 13
