The Washington Commanders (4-11) host the San Francisco 49ers (11-4) Sunday in a battle of NFC teams going in opposite directions. The 49ers are the NFC’s best team and are looking to secure home-field advantage in the playoffs, while the Commanders are heading toward a new regime and climbing up the 2024 NFL draft board.
The 49ers have arguably the best roster in the NFL. San Francisco is loaded on both sides of the ball and is particularly strong in the trenches. Two former Washington first-round picks play on the offensive and defensive line for the 49ers.
As we continue previewing the Week 17 game between the Commanders and the 49ers, it’s time for Washington to hypothetically steal one player from San Francisco.
Several options would dramatically improve the Commanders’ roster. Defensive end Nick Bosa, linebacker Fred Warner, running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Deebo Samuel are just some of San Francisco’s stars who are among the best — if not the best — at their respective positions.
But for this exercise, we are reaching back into Washington’s past and choosing left tackle Trent Williams.
Williams, 35, is in his fourth season with the 49ers after 10 seasons with Washington. Head coach Ron Rivera traded Williams during the 2020 NFL draft, and all Williams has done since is make three more Pro Bowls and twice was named first-team All-Pro.
While Charles Leno Jr. is a solid left tackle, Williams could move him over to right tackle if he were back with Washington, giving the Commanders a terrific offensive tackle duo.
Williams remains an elite player at a premium position and is a future Hall of Famer who doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. The Commanders could certainly use Williams after quarterback Sam Howell was sacked 60 times this season.
The Commanders and 49ers have played twice since Williams landed with San Francisco. However, this is Williams’ first trip back to FedEx Field. He was named one of Washington’s 90 greatest players in franchise history last year.