The New York Jets (5-9) host the Washington Commanders (4-10) in Week 16 in a battle between two teams officially eliminated from playoff contention last weekend.
As we attempt to do each week in previewing Washington’s upcoming opponent, Commanders Wire hypothetically picks one player from the opposing team that it would steal to upgrade the Commanders’ roster.
While some would look at the Jets, see five wins, and think they have a bad roster, that’s far from true. New York was built to win this season, relying heavily on quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Unfortunately for the Jets, Rodgers was lost for the season on New York’s first drive in Week 1.
The Jets have a talented roster, specifically on defense. Meanwhile, Washington, which invested heavily on the defensive side of the ball, is dead last in the NFL in defense. The Commanders were so bad on defense they traded away both edge rushers, Montez Sweat and Chase Young, instead of paying them.
So, when stealing a player from the Jets, it comes down to four: DT Quinnen Williams, LB Quincy Williams, LB Sauce Gardner and WR Garrett Wilson.
For the Commanders, this is an easy answer: Gardner.
The second-year cornerback was an immediate superstar as a rookie last season. With Washington’s pass defense so bad, Gardner would provide an immediate lift. The Commanders need to add elite players, specifically at a position of need, and that fits Gardner to a tee.
In a division with A.J. Brown and CeeDee Lamb, Gardner would give Washington an elite shutdown cornerback.