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

Commanders could trade with the Rams

• Potential target: Brock Bowers (TE)

There's something just off about the Los Angeles Rams having a first-round selection. It's an alien concept for general manager Les Snead, so the Washington Commanders should tempt him into indulging in his favorite pastime, stockpiling picks.

Sending the No. 36 and No. 78 choices should be enough to move the Commanders up to No. 19. Where they can acquire tight end Brock Bowers.

Tight end is an underrated need for coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's offense. Zach Ertz is a favorite, but the veteran is also 33 years old, has appeared in 31 games in three seasons, and is playing on a one-year contract.

Bowers is a formidable pass-catcher in space - a "move" tight end Kingsbury could align all over the field to create the multiple-receiver sets he loves. Pairing Bowers with Ertz would keep the play-caller's "Air-Raid" principles intact, even out of run-heavy, two-tight end looks.

Kingsbury has weapons at his disposal, but the wide receiver cupboard looks bare beyond Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. Fortunately, this is a draft class deep in talented wideouts, so the Commanders could feel confident about finding a starting-caliber receiver outside of Round No. 1.

It's a different story at tight end, where there's a significant drop-off after Bowers. That's hardly surprising since the latter can make plays like this one-handed snag against Auburn, highlighted by Dane Brugler of The Athletic.

Bowers' talents mean there's a chance he won't last anywhere near as long as No. 19. Yet, being something of a 'tweener as an undersized tight end or a big wide receiver with limited blocking skills, could lead to a slide.

Even if Bowers doesn't fall, trading with the Rams could still let the Commanders grab a wideout like Texas standout Adonai Mitchell or LSU's Brian Thomas Jr. Reuniting the latter with Jayden Daniels would be a first-round bonanza for Adam Peters.