Commanders should trade for this NY Jets defender to bolster secondary

The Washington Commanders secondary could look a lot different post trade deadline. While William Jackson is an obvious trade chip after his quasi-trade request that he oddly walked back last week, the idea of a contender inquiring about the slumping Kendall Fuller, who’s contract expires after 2023, is very feasible.

Whatever happens, it’d be surprising if both cornerbacks are still on the roster come Nov. 2. We wouldn’t even be opposed to offloading Jackson and Fuller, but chances are Ron Rivera doesn’t completely gut the secondary.

If the Commanders added more depth at the position this season maybe they could afford to jettison the two veterans. Assuming one of them leaves, though, the front office should absolutely consider buying a replacement.

We mentioned Seahawks corner Sidney Jones as a potential target, but what about disfavored New York Jets corner Bryce Hall if Jones doesn’t pan out?

The Commanders should target NY Jets cornerback Bryce Hall at the trade deadline.

The Jets already acquired Jaguars running back James Robinson after rookie phenom Breece Hall suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 7, so general manager Joe Douglas is no stranger to wheeling and dealing on a deadline.

If the 5-2 Jets sell any players, Hall is the most likely to be moved. The third-year defender has been a healthy scratch since Week 1 after New York made cornerback a priority in the offseason. On top of signing DJ Reed, who’s enjoying a fantastic season thus far,  in free agency, the Jets used the No. 4 overall pick on Cincinnati’s Sauce Gardner, who’s well on his way to becoming a superstar.

Last season, Hall was a full-time starter for the Jets. He started all 17 games and played 98% of the snaps. That playing time was deserved, as Hall compiled 16 pass deflections, the sixth-most of any defensive back, and forced 17 incompletions, the second-most of any cornerback, according to Pro Football Focus.

Despite being targeted the eighth-most times at the position, Hall only allowed a 59.1% completion rate (55-of-93) and 11.6 yards per catch.

As a former fifth-round pick, Hall’s salary is extremely affordable. His cap hit for 2022 is a reasonable $973,950. In 2023, it climbs to a lowly $1.088 million. Not a steep price to pay for someone who’d be your No. 3 corner behind Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste. Next year, Hall could jump to No. 2 on the depth chart assuming the Commanders move on from Fuller in the offseason.

The last thing Commanders fans want is the team to rest on its laurels amid a two-game winning streak. Jackson clearly isn’t in the short- or long-term plans. Go out and get a player who’s begging for playing time, would upgrade a position of need and wouldn’t close more than a sixth-round pick.