The Washington Commanders created a need at center in March, releasing Tyler Biadasz with one season remaining on his contract. Washington made a play for former Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum in free agency before he signed a record-breaking contract with the Raiders. So, while the Commanders liked the players on their roster, adding a young center in the 2026 NFL Draft made sense.

On Saturday, with the No. 209 overall pick, the Commanders selected Michigan State center Matt Gulbin.

A native of Wilton, Connecticut, the 6-foot-3, 305-pound Gulbin began his career at Wake Forest. He redshirted in 2021 and appeared in all 13 games as a reserve in 2022. In 2023, he moved into the starting lineup, appearing in all 12 games, making 11 starts at right guard. In 2024, he earned honorable mention All-ACC honors, starting all 12 games, including 11 at left guard and one at center.

He transferred to Michigan State in 2025, starting 11 games at center before missing the final game with an injury. In his first and only season for the Spartans, Gulbin served as a team captain.

He will join Nick Allegretti and Brandon Coleman as players who could compete to start for the Commanders at center.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders select Michigan State C Matt Gulbin in NFL Draft