Commanders' rookie riser has everything to gain in high-stakes preseason debut

When Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters selected Kain Medrano in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, eyebrows were raised.

Washington’s first three picks — offensive lineman, cornerback, and wide receiver — came at obvious positions of need. But Peters had yet to address the Commanders’ biggest desire — edge rusher.

Before the Medrano pick, many thought the front-office leader would go for a talented-but-unproven edge, or perhaps double down on one of the other positions of need. Instead, he took the UCLA product.

The athletically gifted linebacker profiled as something of a tweener. Medrano was a little smaller than your prototypical second-level defender, but not quite as fluid as a safety. Where would he slot on an NFL defense?

Injuries leave the door wide open for Kain Medrano to make his mark with Commanders

Even though Medrano was a linebacker at UCLA, he was likely being drafted in Washington to play the hybrid role that Jeremy Chinn manned in 2024. He left for the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Commanders have several raw talents on the roster who might fill his shoes. The incoming rookie was drafted to compete against the likes of Tyler Owens and Percy Butler.

Then, Jordan Magee got hurt again. Medrano will get long looks at the hybrid linebacker/safety role, but now he should have a great opportunity to step into a major backup role at the traditional linebacker spot in Washington's preseason opener against the New England Patriots.

The Commanders are likely to keep five or six linebackers on their roster. Part of it is semantics. Von Miller is listed as a linebacker, but that is only because Washington doesn't use edge rusher as a positional designation.

Miller, like Dante Fowler Jr. last year, is an edge rusher who will play in passing situations and attack. He will not be tasked with dropping into coverage the way a traditional linebacker would.

Another of the Commanders' current linebackers is Nick Bellore. Except in the event of an emergency, he will not take defensive snaps. He is on the squad because of his exceptional special teams play.

Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner are locked in as starters. Both were second-team All-Pro selections last year. The plan was for 2024 draftee Magee to see more of the field in 2025, but he appears to have been bitten by the injury bug again.

The team has not disclosed the nature of his injury. However, it was significant enough to keep him out of this week’s practices and preseason game versus the Patriots.

This is a golden chance for Washington’s other linebackers, and Medrano is first in line.

He has the physical tools to play the position, but an NFL linebacker needs to be able to quickly diagnose plays in the middle of a maelstrom. In recent seasons, fans have seen how much trouble aggressive, athletic second-level defenders like Jamin Davis and Cody Barton have had in making proper reads. It seemed as if they would run themselves out of the play by attacking the wrong hole every other snap.

That may have been coaching and scheme. Presumably, the Commanders have a much better staff in place. And all of Washington’s young linebackers will benefit from playing with Wagner, a genuine coach on the field.

Against New England, watch for Medrano to be in the proper position first and foremost. Then watch for his tackling technique, which was considered weak in college. If he gets people on the ground, he could be taking a major step forward.

The Commanders have several other young linebackers waiting for a chance to show what they can do. Dominique Hampton has shifted from safety to linebacker but has yet to make a mark. Kam Arnold made the switch from safety to linebacker early in his college career and might be the closest thing Washington has to Mykal Walker. And Medrano’s UCLA teammate Ale Kaho brings extensive experience from both the Bruins and Alabama, along with proven special teams production.

A player like Kaho may put pressure on Bellore’s spot if he can make plays on special teams. But Medrano is aiming higher.

Washington needs another playmaking linebacker. Wagner didn’t miss a beat last year, but he is at an age where players typically struggle with injuries. Even if he stays healthy, Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. got a taste of just how disruptive Luvu can be all over the field last year. Finding another reliable linebacker would free him up to roam.

At the start of training camp, it appeared that Magee would be that new linebacker. That's now up in the air, and Medrano finds the door wide open for him to step through.

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