The Washington Commanders are ahead of schedule. Remember when head coach Dan Quinn was first asked about Washington’s rebuild? He hesitated to call it a rebuild, instead using the word recalibrate.
It’s a word he’s used since, too, which make s
At 6-2, Washington is in first place in the NFC East and has answered many roster questions midway through the season. Remember the offensive tackle concerns? What about wide receiver and edge rusher? And cornerback?
With Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline approaching, we rank Washington’s needs. We recently previewed eight realistic targets, but now, we’ll focus on the positional needs from lowest to highest.
4. Offensive tackle
Imagine calling this the Commanders’ fourth-biggest need in August. Andrew Wylie has been a much better player at right tackle this season. And the combination of rookie Brandon Coleman and veteran Cornelius Lucas at left tackle has been outstanding. General manager Adam Peters will listen, but it’s doubtful he will make a move here. Washington is set with its top three. Lucas will miss the Week 9 game at New York but is not dealing with a long-term injury.
What if a struggling team gives up a tackle that hasn’t yet lived up to its potential? Would Peters throw a late-round pick to that team, hoping a change of scenery would help. Think Cleveland’s Jedrick Wills.
The Commanders will certainly look to add an offensive tackle in the offseason, but that’s not a priority now.
3. Wide receiver
Washington traded former first-round pick Jahan Dotson in August, and Peters may have stolen a third-round pick from Philadelphia. The subtraction of Dotson and the addition of Noah Brown have changed this group. The Commanders love this room built around Terry McLaurin. Rookie Luke McCaffrey feels close to a breakout. The analytics prove his separation skills are elite. Dyami Brown hasn’t put up big numbers but has proven reliable when his number is called. Veteran Olamide Zaccheaus was an underrated pickup.
Peters will keep tabs on all available receivers. What if there was a chance he could land Tee Higgins? Higgins is big, young, and could serve as Washington’s 1b to McLaurin’s 1a. Additionally, the Commanders have the cap space to pay Higgins the contract he demands. This is doubtful, but it wouldn’t shock anyone to see Washington add a receiver to the room.
2. Edge rusher
The Commanders have a solid group here, but no pass rushers who can take over games. Realistically, that option doesn’t exist on the trade market unless Peters can convince the Browns to part with Myles Garrett (not happening) or the Raiders to part with Maxx Crosby (unlikely). Head coach Dan Quinn is excellent at creating pressure, and players like Dante Fowler Jr., Dorance Armstrong, Clelin Ferrell, rookie Javontae Jean-Baptiste and Jalyn Holmes have all produced at times this season. A realistic option here is Browns veteran Za’Darius Smith. Smith would be in a part-time role for Washington, where he could thrive in limited snaps.
1. Cornerback
This is Washington’s most significant need. There should be options available. Could the Commanders swing big and land Marshon Lattimore (Saints), Jalen Ramsey (Dolphins), or Denzel Ward (Browns)? The smoke around Washington is that Peters is checking on cornerbacks. Emmanuel Forbes hasn’t taken the next step in his career, and the team clearly lacks confidence in him. Benjamin St-Juste is better than some want to admit. However, he’s not a No. 1 corner and a free agent at season’s end.
Noah Igbinoghene was an excellent low-cost pickup. He’s played well. Rookie Mike Sainristil is already the Commanders’ top cornerback. He’s had to play out of position some and has still thrived. Whether it’s a veteran like Jonathan Jones or someone like Lattimore, this feels like the move for Washington.