Commanders could trade for Calvin Ridley
Adam Peters has resisted the temptation to make any trades this offseason. The Washington Commanders have avoided the quick-fix approach to any problems, opting to build in the more traditional way and saving their draft picks for what is expected to be a phenomenal 2027 class.
That was a must. But if the young wideouts behind Terry McLaurin continue to cause concern into training camp, it might be time to swing for the fences once again.
If the Commanders want a high-risk, high-reward gamble in the trade market, maybe Calvin Ridley is the one. His time with the Tennessee Titans is in doubt after the AFC South club signed Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency and spent the No. 4 overall pick on Carnell Tate. The former Alabama standout should still have a role to play, but he might just be available for the right package.
Ridley suffered some injury problems last season, but he's got three 1,000-yard receiving campaigns throughout his career. The money in the final year of his deal, with a $29.75 million cap hit in 2027, is a stumbling block, but none of it is guaranteed. And if his medical assessments check out, this represents a decent option to consider.
Commanders could bring back Deebo Samuel Sr.
The Commanders began their aggressive offseason last year by trading for wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. He came to the franchise with questions to answer, but Adam Peters believed there was still plenty of good football left.
While the Commanders struggled to meet expectations, Samuel was a bright spot. He stayed healthy, looked sharp more often than not, and performed well in testing circumstances. Unfortunately, this was not enough for another deal.
Samuel is still sitting on the market, which is surprising. He may be looking for the right fit or the right financial package, but nothing has materialized as yet. The South Carolina product should have a new home by the time Week 1 rolls around, but he'd be wise to find somewhere quickly to get a full training camp under his belt.
Given the concerns about Aiyuk, the Commanders need to explore alternatives. Samuel has chemistry with Jayden Daniels, is familiar with the coaching staff, knows the demands of head coach Dan Quinn, and embraced the culture in Washington superbly last time around. He's past his prime, of course, but he remains a dependable, versatile wideout with the physicality to generate yards after the catch.
There are far worse avenues the Commanders could go down, that's for sure.
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