Hogs Haven
Editor’s note: Each day, Hogs Haven compiles a collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, with a sprinkling of other stuff. Enjoy!
ESPN
5. Laremy Tunsil, Washington Commanders
Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 31 | Last year’s ranking: 7
The Commanders’ offense had a tough year on the field, but one bright spot was Tunsil, acquired last offseason via trade from Houston.
“Underrated to me and bulletproof in both phases,” an NFC executive said. “[He] has another gear that others don’t. Still violent.”
Tunsil gave up four sacks in 393 pass-blocking opportunities last season en route to a 91.5% pass block win rate. And to his credit, Tunsil was called for only five penalties after 17 the previous season.
Commanders Roundtable
Gulbin’s most realistic year-one path is as Washington’s backup center and interior swing lineman — the player who can step in at center, left guard, or right guard if an injury creates a gap. Washington’s projected starter at center heading into training camp is veteran Nick Allegretti, which means Gulbin has time to develop behind a proven interior lineman rather than being thrown into the fire immediately. That’s the best-case scenario for a player with one year of center experience.
The ceiling here is a starting center on a zone-blocking offense within two to three years. Every analyst who has watched significant Gulbin tape reaches the same conclusion — the power floor is legitimate, the leadership is real, and the trajectory of his career has been consistently upward. Three-star recruit to All-ACC honorable mention. Wake Forest backup to Michigan State team captain. Sixth-round pick to eventual starter. Washington has seen this movie before with late-round offensive linemen who outperform their draft slot. Don’t be surprised if Gulbin is the next one.
Commanders.com
Will the Bengals’ defense improve? The Bengals’ defense has been it’s main weakness for years, but that could change in 2026. Lawrence, who the Bengals acquired in a trade, is a force in the interior of the defense, although he had a down season in 2025. The Bengals are banking on that being an aberration and Lawrence returning to the dominant All-Pro that he was for most of his career. Players like Mafe, who had 20 sacks in four seasons with the Seahawks, and second-round pick Cashius Howell should help elevate a pass rush that only recorded 34 sacks in 2025. Although Burrow’s injuries haven’t helped, the Bengals’ defensive struggles are the main reason they have not been a perennial playoff contender. If they can improve on that side of the ball, it could turn...
