What bold trades could Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters consider to help speed up the team's rebuild in 2024?
It's been an eye-catching start to the Washington Commanders' recruitment period in 2024. Adam Peters was armed with a ton of salary-cap space and has used it wisely. Several immediate starters came into the organization without jeopardizing the team's long-term financial flexibility. This is a far cry from the football operation's ethos when Dan Snyder held absolute power.
This is just the start for Peters. He's laying the foundations right now. Some significant needs remain, but the Commanders at least have a legitimate plan in place for sustained growth rather than banking on band-aid fixes to get the job done.
The Commanders have a plethora of high-end draft picks to utilize, starting with a quarterback at No. 2 overall. There is money to land more free agents. Peters might also strike in the trade market if he feels like it's the best thing for the franchise.
With this in mind, here are four bold trades the Commanders should consider to speed up their rebuild in 2024.
Commanders could trade for Greg Newsome II
After letting Kendall Fuller walk in free agency, the Washington Commanders could use another potential shutdown cornerback. Signing Michael Davis should help from a rotational standpoint, but his tendency to give up big plays means more is needed to go alongside Emmanuel Forbes and Benjamin St-Juste.
Someone like Greg Newsome II would be an instant upgrade. There was some speculation linking the Commanders with a move for the Cleveland Browns defensive back without anything concrete emerging. After giving up 56.7 percent of targets thrown in his direction and a 74.8 passer rating when targeted - both career highs - there are far worse avenues Adam Peters could go down.
Whether the Browns would be receptive is another matter.
Commanders could trade for Tee Higgins
The Washington Commanders have done little to bolster their wide receiver room so far this offseason. Jamison Crowder re-signed, but it's been all quiet besides that. Options are diminishing on the free-agent market, which could indicate general manager Adam Peters is looking towards an exceptionally deep 2024 NFL Draft class for help.
There's also one potential trade candidate worthy of consideration. After the Cincinnati Bengals slapped the franchise tag on Tee Higgins, he swiftly requested a trade. It seems unlikely he'll get the long-term financial security he's seeking with Ja'Marr Chase looking for major money in 2025. The former Clemson star is a legitimate No. 1 receiving threat and wants to be paid accordingly.
The Bengals aren't exactly known for bowing to trade demands from their players. It would need to be a decent offer to even contemplate parting ways with Higgins, especially considering Tyler Boyd is a free agent and might not return.
Washington has the draft capital needed to pull off this sort of deal should they wish. Those in power also have the financial means to offer Higgins the sort of money he's looking for. This could be a win-win for all parties involved.
This move would mean the Commanders would have a substantial amount tied up in Higgins and Terry McLaurin, which might be off-putting to Peters as part of his grand plans for progression. But putting the two veteran wideouts together comes with mouth-watering potential attached.
Commanders could trade for L'Jarius Sneed
As previously stated, the Washington Commanders are a little light on cornerback options. Michael Davis and Noah Igbinoghene are useful depth pieces. But considering the indifferent production of Benjamin St-Juste and Emmanuel Forbes last season, it would be wise for Adam Peters to seek alternatives as the offseason progresses.
Going down the draft route represents the cheapest potential avenue. If the new general manager is thinking bigger, then putting in a call to the Kansas City Chiefs to see what they might want for L'Jarius Sneed enters the discussion.
Much like the situation with Tee Higgins, the Chiefs placed the franchise tag on Sneed to prevent him from leaving in free agency. That said, speculation continues about a potential trade for the defensive back, who enjoyed a phenomenal 2023 campaign as Kansas City clinched yet another Super Bowl.
The former fourth-round pick gave up just 51.0 percent of targets thrown in his direction. Sneed's passer rating when targeted was among the league's lowest at 56.2. Now, he wants long-term financial security to match his exceptional performance levels.
Again, the Commanders have the draft capital and financial resources to pull off this sort of move. Nobody in Washington's secondary is on a hefty contract, which also helps. Looking at Sneed's recent ascension, this is a move that would benefit the Commanders next season and way into the future.
Commanders could trade back into Round No. 1
The Washington Commanders are loaded with draft picks in 2024. They have nine in total - six of these come in the first 100. Three sit in the top 40. Adam Peters has a huge need at the quarterback position to resolve at No. 2 overall, but everything should be pretty fluid after that.
Peters is a master manipulator of draft boards from his time working with the San Francisco 49ers. He's a shrewd talent evaluator who's played a leading role in identifying gifted prospects at all levels of the draft. He also knows the benefit of striking with conviction when opportunities arise.
Much will depend on what unfolds throughout the first round, but a situation could emerge where the Commanders take an opportunity to trade back into Round No. 1 if a prospect that's high on their board starts falling. Washington needs a franchise-caliber left tackle to go along with their new signal-caller. Surging up rather than waiting around in the hope of landing a desired recruit from the college ranks is the smart course of action.
If a young cornerback like Nate Wiggins or a dynamic playmaker such as tight end Brock Bowers begins to fall, it's another possibility. The Commanders have been aggressive throughout Peters' first offseason at the helm. Fans should expect the same mindset during the draft with the vast assets at his disposal.