The Washington Commanders’ 2026 NFL draft class won’t just be defined by first-round pick Sonny Styles, not when a mid-rounder is already being touted as a steal who’s “much better” than pricey free-agency signing Leo Chenal for a key role in new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones’ pressure schemes.
It’s a bold take from former Washington tight end Logan Paulsen. He told franchise legend Brian Mitchell and NBC4 Sports’ JP Finlay on 106.7 The Fan’s “BMitch & Finlay” show, how former Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Josephs is “a really good dropper, so you talk about, you know, the (Andrew) Van Ginkel(s) and how flexible he was in that defense up in Minnesota, and people wanna comp Leo Chenal to him (Van Ginkel), right? But I think this player, Joshua Josephs fits that mold much better.”
This confident proclamation came at the end of a glowing review from Paulsen about the 147th player drafted this year. Paulsen also praised Josephs “as a (Commanders head coach) Dan Quinn guy. Meaning, when I watched him, I was like, ‘Dan Quinn would love to get his hands on a player like this,’ ’cause he’s got 34-and-a-half inch, almost 35-inch arms. He’s got a wicked, murderous first step. He plays the run like a lunatic.”
Those are some vivid superlatives about a player selected on Day 3, but it’s the comparison to Chenal that stands out most. The latter is a Super Bowl winning-linebacker used to playing in the kind of complex defense Jones is expected to run.
Chenal is a lofty benchmark for a late-round pick, but there’s still merit to Paulsen’s comp, and reason to believe Josephs can be the best of a class containing more than one credible steal.
Joshua Josephs Fits Daronte Jones/Leo Chenal Template
Jones learned his elaborate brand of blitzing and disguised coverage as an assistant to elite Minnesota Vikings play-caller Brian Flores. The Flores system is about pressure from multiple angles and dropping unexpected players into coverage.
This devilish mix made Andrew Van Ginkel a Pro Bowl linebacker. A play like this pick-six at the expense of Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets from the 2024 season, when Van Ginkel dropped late into underneath coverage to surprise a four-time NFL MVP, summed up the schemes Paulsen referenced for Josephs.
Similar schemes also helped Chenal thrive with the Kansas City Chiefs and landed him $24.75 million over three years from the Commanders. Chenal refined his roving skill-set on the watch of four-time Super Bowl-winning D-coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who also likes to confuse quarterbacks with moving parts, delayed blitzing and a changing picture on the back end.
Chenal had Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens confused when he snatched this interception in front of All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews last season.
His experience playing for Spags seemingly makes Chenal perfect for what Jones wants to achieve in Washington. Yet, Josephs can also be a factor, despite not sharing the same position.
Josephs isn’t a natural linebacker, but the 6-foot-3, 242-pound edge defender has the frame and range to move effectively into space. Putting somebody with Josephs’ length into a passing lane will surely block out most of a throwing window for a quarterback.
Just like rushing Josephs late will catch many blockers off guard and pit his bulk and long arms against mismatched, non-offensive linemen.
The Commanders have a blueprint for Josephs emerging as a key part of how Jones manufactures pressure and turnovers. Just like there is for Chenal, but an All-Pro who’s somehow been forgotten his offseason is also an ideal matchup nightmare for the defense Jones is expected to call.
Josephs won’t be short of people to learn from, including Chenal’s fellow new arrivals, Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson. They can help the rookie outperform his draft status, something at least one other member of this class is confident about achieving.
Commanders Have Multiple Potential Draft Steals
General manager Adam Peters did some fine work in the late rounds this year, including snagging a top-three rated running back in the penultimate round. A hugely productive ball-carrier already content to compare himself to a former league MVP.
Another sixth-round pick, versatile interior O-lineman Matt Gulbin, has the chance to start at center. Intriguing numbers from ESPN Research (h/t ESPN’s John Keim) show “Gulbin allowed 14 pressures in 2023 (as a guard). But in the last two years, playing G and C, he allowed just 5 in 853 pass plays. In watching some of his plays, shows a good base/anchor and awareness in pass pro.”
There’s room for more than one prospect chosen on the final day to contribute immediately, but Josephs’ potential in a more creative defense is the most exiciting to consider.
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