NFL insider links the Commanders as an obvious choice to make massive offseason move to land a former No. 1 overall pick
NFL insider Jeremy Fowler says the Commanders could trade for Travon Walker, Kayvon Thibodeaux, or Jermaine Johnson. Here’s a case for why they should, or shouldn’t.
The Washington Commanders are 3-10 are looking to end the season strong, while the rest of us look for the nightmare season to end.
General manager Adam Peters needs to be active this offseason, as it’s the most crucial one since he joined Washington. After looking at his approach last offseason, he needs to change his mindset and go all-in on building around Jayden Daniels instead of putting more pressure on him.
There are plenty of moves to make in free agency with their projected salary cap and the NFL Draft, but they can make a move before that. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler linked the Commanders to trading for one of three players, citing their uncertain situations with their current teams, and it would fix one glaring need for the Commanders.
The Commanders could trade for former No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker
Now, before you freak out about a trade, let’s think about it. The Commanders only have six picks for the 2026 NFL Draft, and they’ll likely land a top-five pick they could trade back from. Instead of taking an EDGE in the first round, they could take the best player available, like Caleb Downs or Carnell Tate, after a trade back, and still address the need by trading for Jacksonville Jaguars EDGE rusher Travon Walker.
Walker was the No. 1 overall pick in 2022, and he’s on an expiring rookie contract and likely headed to free agency in 2027. We don’t know what his trade value could be, but if we say it’s a third-round pick, the Commanders should explore that.
Walker hasn’t been everything the Jaguars hoped for, but he still doesn’t get enough credit for how well he plays. A change of scenery could make him take a bigger jump, but only if it comes at the right price for the 24-year-old pass rusher.
Kayvon Thibodeaux could be headed to NFC East rival
Another player taken in 2022 was No. 5 overall pick Kayvon Thibodeaux, who has been linked to trade rumors for over a year now. He is also on an expiring rookie contract like Walker, and the New York Giants need more trade capital to build around Jaxson Dart.
I don’t see the Giants trading Thibodeaux after the season, let alone to the Commanders. They told teams no at the trade deadline. He’s having a good year, so they need to figure out a way to pay him, with Abdul Carter not being too productive just yet. Is trade value projected to be higher than teams expect? The Commanders should stay far away.
Commanders pry away intriguing rising star Jermaine Johnson from the New York Jets
Another player that was a hot name before the trade deadline was Jermaine Johnson, and rightfully so. Reports said the New York Jets were asking for a second-round pick, which was too high for teams to pull the trigger on a deal.
After the season, things could change, and maybe a 2026 third and a 2027 sixth could get the deal done. If the Commanders do trade back, this would be an ideal scenario to build the roster while adding a high-rising player who is hitting his peak at 26 years old.
Teams were all over trading for Johnson for a reason, and he would be a huge addition instead of swinging on a pass rusher in the first round of the draft who might not hit.