Playoff contender linked with potential trade for Commanders draft bust

Adam Peters adopted an aggressive approach to his roster building throughout a dramatic first offseason as general manager. The Washington Commanders needed a drastic overhaul after things became stale under previous head coach Ron Rivera. There's been dramatic alterations and the squad looks in a much better place as a result.

This is just the start for Peters. He's the first to admit not everything has been solved. The former San Francisco 49ers executive left a tremendous first impression during the first phase of his long-term plan for progress. But the hard work is just getting started.

Peters is currently assessing the current state of affairs and what more might be needed. The Commanders are giving everyone a fighting chance of staking a claim, but the front-office leader won't hesitate to make further moves if he feels like it could benefit the franchise.

There could be more comings and goings before Week 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rolls around. Peters declared his intent to be active on the waiver wire as Washington holds the No. 2 priority. He could even offload some expendable assets to bolster his draft capital in 2025 given the Commanders have just six selections as it stands.

Texans linked with potential trade for Commanders DT Phidarian Mathis

This was a topic discussed by Alex Ballentine from The Bleacher Report. In highlighting one potential trade every NFL team should make this offseason, the analyst thought the Houston Texans should make a move for Commanders' defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis to improve their interior depth. He also thought a seventh-round pick might be enough to get a deal done.

"This wouldn't be an earth-shattering move, but it does address a need that could hurt the Texans down the road if it isn't addressed. The Texans have made a lot of moves to go from plucky underdog to legitimate contenders. There isn't a lot of youth at the position to get excited about. But taking a swing on Phidarian Mathis could change that. He's a 2022 second-round pick who has struggled to make his mark since being drafted by Washington. To be fair to Mathis, he suffered a season-ending injury just one game into his rookie season and couldn't crack an interior rotation that included Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne with the Commanders. Washington now has Adam Peters calling the shots, and they drafted Jer'Zhan Newton in the second round. That doesn't bode well for how the organization sees Mathis moving forward."

- Alex Ballentine, Bleacher Report

Mathis came into the Commanders with lofty expectations as a second-round selection. Injuries completely derailed his opening two years, and the production was nowhere near the required standard when given reps in 2023. He needs a full, healthy preparation period this time around with a new coaching staff to impress.

The Commanders have strength at the defensive tackle spot. Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne are the team's starting tandem. Second-round selection Johnny Newton also looks set to play a significant role after making a quicker-than-expected return to the practice field. That leaves Mathis fighting it out with John Ridgeway III for the other opening depending on how many interior presences they take through.

Mathis might be preferred thanks to his intriguing athletic attributes that could be molded into something more under improved coaches, but there's just no telling for sure. The need to improve consistency and stack quality days is evident with his prospects hanging in the balance.

Much will depend on how the former Alabama star performs when reps come his way in the preseason. If the Commanders aren't entirely convinced, then Peters will look to get something back in return rather than releasing him outright.

That would be a sorry end to Mathis' time in Washington when so much more was predicted. The player will be working tirelessly to make sure this scenario doesn't come to fruition.