There are two periods in an NFL season when trade rumors explode. The most obvious one is the in-season deadline, which typically comes in early November. We are right in the middle of the other one.
From the run-up to a new league year through the NFL Draft, the rumor mill works overtime.
The Washington Commanders have already completed two high-profile trades, acquiring Deebo Samuel Sr. and Laremy Tunsil in exchange for draft picks. General manager Adam Peters attempted to trade veteran Jonathan Allen. But when he failed, he simply released the defensive tackle.
The trades have left Peters with just five picks heading into the upcoming draft. That led analysts to speculate on whether the Commanders might try to move a player or two to secure additional selections. Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus floated running back Brian Robinson Jr. as a trade candidate. That is pure conjecture at this point, but it does raise a question...
Which, if any, current Commanders’ players are completely off limits when it comes to making a deal?
Let’s put the biggest question to bed right up front. In theory, no player is untradeable.
Choose whoever you think of as the league’s best talent. For argument’s sake, let’s pick Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II.
The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year is just 24 years old. There’s no way Denver would trade him. But if the Houston Texans were to offer Derek Stingley Jr. along with a few high-end draft picks, the Broncos might bite.
Surtain is not about to be traded — though Washington, in a different era, did trade away the Surtain-like Champ Bailey. As things stand currently, the Commanders may well have the league's most untradeable player in quarterback Jayden Daniels.
There is not a single player in the NFL right now who hits all four benchmarks for being untradeable like Washington’s signal caller. Talent, position, age, and contract status all align. No other team could stand to pony up the amount of talent and draft capital it would take to acquire Daniels. Even if they could, Adam Peters might still decline.
Washington probably has three other players on its current roster who can realistically be called untradeable. I know this because I came up with this list independent of my boss at Riggo’s Rag — and he came up with the exact same list.
Mike Sainristil, Frankie Luvu, and Terry McLaurin are the other Commanders currently off-limits. They each have a different profile, but all have some combination of age, talent, and leadership that make them core players.
Who are the other current Commanders who you simply would not trade?
If Daniels, Sainristil, Luvu, and McLaurin are in the top group, are there players just one tier below? These are the players for whom you might entertain offers. But the offer would have to knock your socks off before you’d accept.
These are the current Commanders in that second tier.
Less obvious Commanders players who must not be traded in 2025
Sam Cosmi - Commanders OL
If it weren’t for his torn ACL in the playoffs, Sam Cosmi would be in the top tier. The injury downgrades him slightly but also makes it virtually inconceivable that any other team would offer anything approaching what Peters would demand in return.
Tyler Biadasz - Commanders OL
Tyler Biadasz’s play fell off late last season when he was dealing with several injuries. He is not elite, but Commanders’ fans have learned over the last few seasons how vital it is to have a steady presence in the middle of the line. He remains a core young veteran.
Laremy Tunsil - Commanders OT
We have some sense of what any suitor would have to give up for Tunsil because Peters just traded for him. Washington would demand a lot more than the multiple draft picks they gave to Houston because the left tackle is fundamental to their win-now philosophy.
Deebo Samuel Sr. - Commanders WR
As with Tunsil, the same principle applies. Peters didn’t give up nearly as much for Samuel, but he wanted him specifically because he needed to give Daniels immediate help at wide receiver.
He is not trading Samuel without getting an equally potent receiver — and more — in return.
Javon Kinlaw - Commanders DT
Many in the NFL believe Peters overpaid for Javon Kinlaw, but his youth and physical talent make him very attractive. Dan Quinn could be planning to build his defenses around the defensive lineman going forward.
Dorance Armstrong Jr. - Commanders DE
Like Biadasz on offense, Dorance Armstrong Jr. may not be elite, but he is a core player with a very high floor. Even if Peters goes hard after edge rushers in the upcoming draft, he has an important role to play.
Marshon Lattimore - Commanders CB
Based on his shaky play after being acquired last year, this one may seem odd. Peters said when he made the trade for Marshon Lattimore that it was not simply for 2024. Hopefully, the cornerback will stay healthy this season. If he does, he should provide a major upgrade.
Quan Martin - Commanders S
Quan Martin and Cosmi are the only two Ron Rivera draft picks who have a long-term future in Washington. Despite their youth, Martin and Sainristil have already carved out significant leadership roles for themselves in the defensive backfield.
Everyone else on the roster in its current form is trade bait. The Commanders probably won't follow Locker’s prediction and move Robinson. But were it to happen, I wouldn’t find it shocking.
I would find it far more surprising if Peters traded away several of his draft picks from last season, like Johnny Newton, Brandon Coleman, Ben Sinnott, or Luke McCaffrey. I don’t consider any of those youngsters untradeable at this point. But with a strong 2025, they would move up into that category next year.