NFL writer proposes 3 trade ideas for Commanders, including acquiring a new QB

Just like that, the NFL trade deadline is right around the corner. That could be significant for the Washington Commanders, who are 2-4 with games against Green Bay and Indianapolis (on the road) before the Nov. 1 deadline.

While Ron Rivera needs to rack up wins, it would behoove the organization to sell off players for draft capital if the team is out of the playoff picture. If the Commanders lose both of those games with Taylor Heinicke under center, wouldn’t it make sense for Rivera and Co. to orchestrate a couple deals?

Trades have been rare during Rivera’s tenure and a fire sale is probably wishful thinking, but why not jettison players who don’t figure to be with the team next year? Why keep them around and risk losing them for nothing via free agency or even worse, swallowing dead money by making them a cap casualty?

With trade rumors (and trades) in full swing, The Athletic’s Bo Wulf proposed trade ideas for every team in his pre-Week 6 NFL power rankings. We’ll touch on Wulf’s trade idea for the Commanders at the end, but it’s unlikely so we’ll focus on the two players the writer has Washington trading away before the deadline.

Will the Commanders make any trades before the deadline?

1. Kendall Fuller to the Buccaneers

"The Bucs have been beset by injuries to the secondary, including three suffered Sunday that left fifth-round rookie Zyon McCollum in a nominal starting role. Fuller, 27, has underperformed with the Commanders this season and has no guaranteed money left on his salary, so he wouldn’t cost much. Hard to imagine a wider smile from a player who’s being informed he’s leaving a Jack Del Rio defense for a Todd Bowles one."

This shouldn’t surprise anyone. One of the premier cornerbacks in the league for most of last season, Fuller has been a shell of his former self to start 2022. He’s one of Pro Football Focus’ lowest-grade cornerbacks and was even beat for a long touchdown by Justin Fields and Dante Pettis in the Week 6 win.

Former Washington head coach Jay Gruden thinks Fuller would benefit from a move back to the nickel, but the veteran corner might just benefit from a move away from the nation’s capital altogether before the Nov. 1 deadline.

On paper, the Bucs are a perfect destination for Fuller. As Wulf notes, Tampa is dealing with injuries in the secondary to Logan Ryan (foot), Sean Murphy-Bunting and Mike Edwards. Incredibly, they still have Carlton Davis, Jamal Dean and Antoine Winfield Jr., but they could certainly use another reinforcement.

Fuller would likely shine surrounded by that much talent and his job will be made easier playing behind a star-studded front seven that includes Vita Vea, Lavonte David, Shaquil Barrett, Akiem Hicks and Devin White.

Would you endorse this trade, Commanders fans?