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

Washington Commanders linebacker Kain Medrano | Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesWhen 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…