​Hey Washington Commanders fans, who are the top 10 pass rushers in the NFL right now? Yesterday we checked out the top 10 cornerbacks, and today ESPN released its survey of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts to help determine the league’s premier pass rushers. Below are the players who comprise the top 10, and how they stack up against the Commanders. However, it’s clear that Washington did not place one of its own edge rushers on this year’s top-10 list.
1- Myles Garrett, Los Angeles Rams: Garrett and the Rams test the Commanders when they meet on November 8. This matchup pits one of the league’s most disruptive edge players against Washington’s protection plans as the clock ticks toward midseason.
2- Micah Parsons, Green Bay Packers: Commanders right tackle Josh Conerly faced off with Parsons in just the second game of Conerly’s NFL career, giving Washington a firsthand view of Parsons’ explosive rush potential and the challenge he presents on any given snap.
3- Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans: Washington’s offensive tackles Laremy Tunsil and Josh Conerly are likely already preparing for a formidable assignment when Anderson lines up across from them later in the season, a matchup that could shape how the Commanders protect the quarterback on crucial drives.
4- Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders: Conerly also encountered Crosby early in his career, as Crosby’s relentless rush kept the pressure on Washington’s offense in 2025, a reminder of the kind of edge speed and bend that can disrupt plays at the line of scrimmage.
5- Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions: Commanders fans will recall that Hutchinson missed Washington’s playoff-clinching win due to a season-ending leg injury he suffered in Week 6, a turn of events that altered the Lions’ access to their own pass rush depth and highlighted the players who can shift a game’s dynamic when healthy.
6- Danielle Hunter, Houston Texans: Washington faces the Texans on December 13, and Hunter stands out as a premier edge threat within Houston’s rotation, capable of collapsing pockets and forcing hurried throws from opposing quarterbacks.
7- T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers: In Washington’s 2020 meeting with Watt, he made his presence felt with a forced fumble, one sack, and a nine-total-tackle effort that underscored Watt’s ability to swing momentum with pressure engineered off the edge.
9- Brian Burns, New York Giants: The Commanders will square off with Burns and their NFC East rivals the Giants twice this season, with Burns’ speed and bend creating mismatches that Washington must address in both the run and pass downs.
10- Nic Bonitto, Denver Broncos: Bonitto contributed a memorable moment for Denver when he rushed and helped block Marcus Mariota’s two-point pass, sealing a Denver overtime win over Washington in the 2025 season, a reminder of how a key edge rusher can influence late-game outcomes.
It’s also worth noting that Josh Hines-Allen of the Jacksonville Jaguars received honorable-mention status among the top edge talents circulating in this ranking. The Commanders are set to travel to Jacksonville for a January 3 meeting with the Jaguars and Allen, a game that could offer another look at a rising edge presence in the league.
This overview originates from Commanders Wire and is intended to highlight how the top pass rushers in the NFL intersect with Washington’s plans for the season ahead, especially as the Commanders seek to strengthen protection and keep pressure off their quarterback in high-stakes moments. The landscape of edge rush talent remains fluid, and Washington will be watching closely to gauge how these top names influence game plans as the year unfolds.