Adam Peters is always thinking two steps ahead. The Washington Commanders' biggest splash throughout a busy second offseason for the general manager is proof positive of that.
The Commanders are ready to win now following their sensational surge from obscurity in 2024. They believe enough in Jayden Daniels to sacrifice significant resources to surround the star quarterback with everything needed to excel. That started with wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., who was acquired via trade from the San Francisco 49ers for a fifth-round pick. Peters wasn't done there, striking a deal with the Houston Texans for five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
Washington paid a premium for Tunsil, and with good reason. This is one of the league's premier edge protectors, boasting exceptional pass blocking almost from the moment he came into the league. He's a crushing force on running plays and a strong, albeit unassuming, veteran leader within the locker room. He's everything the Commanders have lacked on the blindside since inexplicably trading Trent Williams.
Commanders found Abdul Carter equalizer even before they needed to
This looks like a shrewd move even before Tunsil has played a competitive down. The New York Giants bolstered their pass rush by drafting Abdul Carter at No. 3 overall, giving them a potentially prolific edge trio, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Brian Burns, that can wreak havoc if everything clicks.
Tunsil negates some of this threat. Not all of it, but his ability to neutralize anyone on an island is something the Commanders can benefit from greatly next season and beyond. After that, it'll be up to others to meet their end of the bargain.
Carter was a no-brainer for the Giants after Cam Ward and Travis Hunter went in the first two picks. The former Penn State standout is a genuine game-wrecker whose skills look eerily similar to those of fellow Nittany Lions alum Micah Parsons. Joe Schoen did the right thing (for once), especially considering this isn't the draft to go reaching for a quarterback.
Peters probably didn't think about what the Giants were going to do before landing Tunsil. The benefits of his arrival run much deeper, and the G-Men appear some way off contending for the NFC East right now. He doesn't solve every need, but he gets them much closer to getting over the hump.
Big things are expected of Tunsil. And don't be surprised if the Ole Miss graduate gives Carter a welcome to the NFL moment or two when they lock horns twice next season.