The Washington Commanders' backfield suddenly looks crowded after general manager Adam Peters' makeover over the early stages of free agency. However, that hasn't stopped analysts and experts from touting a much bigger splash in the not-too-distant future.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love remains a hot name for the Commanders in mock drafts. Whether he'll be around at No. 7 overall is another matter, especially considering the impact he could make from the moment he steps onto an NFL field.
There was another name being speculated. The Commanders were named among the potential suitors for De'Von Achane. He's a devastating home-run hitter who was seen as available amid the Miami Dolphins' fire sale. This now includes wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who was shipped to the Denver Broncos for significant draft compensation.
Adam Schefter shuts down Commanders' speculation around De'Von Achane trade
The vultures were inevitably circling around Achane in the immediate aftermath of Waddle's departure. But according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, interested teams are being told that the former Texas A&M standout is not available.
This was somewhat surprising. But after general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan's comments about the Pro Bowler recently, they may value him highly enough to give him a new contract rather than disposing of him entirely.
"I mean, he's a marvelous player. We want him to be part of this thing moving forward. We will have those conversations with him as well as some other guys as we move down the road, but that's going to be later in the summer."
Miami has a price for everybody. Perhaps this was just a nudge to others to drive up the price. At the same time, what sort of chance does new quarterback Malik Willis have if the Dolphins get rid of everybody notable?
They are clearly rebuilding, but having a stable backfield threat like Achane will be integral. The Commanders may have thrown a call Miami's way, but they aren't exactly blessed with enough disposable draft picks to make an intriguing offer. The notion looked like a pipedream even before Schefter's update. It looks even more impossible now.
Perhaps the Commanders are satisfied with Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, Jerome Ford, and Jeremy McNichols. Perhaps they are honing in on Love if he is somehow available when Washington is on the clock. Whatever it is, trading for Achane doesn't seem feasible.
Peters pushed his chips into the middle last offseason on the trade front. Now, he's building the right way. Adding Achane goes away from that, and this doesn't even count for the bumper contract extension he'll probably want sooner rather than later.
It was nice to think about, but it never seemed a likely outcome.