3 teams the Commanders could use for daring 2024 NFL Draft trade-up

Commanders could trade with the Seahawks

• Potential target: Laiatu Latu (EDGE)

Dan Quinn needs to find a Micah Parsons-type to power his rush-the-passer-in-waves system. He'd struggle to come out of this draft with a better fit than Laiatu Latu.

The UCLA edge rusher could go anywhere from 12-28, but the Seattle Seahawks represent the best trade partner for the Washington Commanders in this scenario. That's based on the team owning a mere two picks in the first 100 selections.

There's an opening for Adam Peters to offer the No. 36 pick, along with his first third, the No. 67 choice. Again, this would be overvaluing the Seahawks' No. 16 selection based on most charts, but the Commanders could also snag a late-rounder as part of the deal. Maybe one of Seattle's two sixth-rounders to put Washington in play during the penultimate round.

The true value of this deal would be the chance to take Latu off the board. In the process, Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. would get a blue-chip quarterback hunter.

Latu is a superior athlete who can line up anywhere along the front, just like Parsons. As NFL Network's Brian Baldinger put it, he "can play outside linebacker, he can play defensive end, he can line up in a 3-technique and play defensive tackle."

No matter where lines up, Latu is a havoc creator. One who helped himself to 23.5 sacks during two seasons with the Bruins.

Quinn runs a multiple-front defense, so he needs all of the roving pass-rushers he can get. Free agency added some useful supporting acts like Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler Jr., and Clelin Ferrell, but none are as dynamic as Latu.

He would be the threat opposing offenses need special plans to stop. The Commanders have lacked one of those on the edges since they traded Chase Young and Montez Sweat midway through last season.

One more trade scenario would enable the Commanders to add a marquee target for their rookie QB1.