The Washington Commanders are poised to make yet another splash in the 2025 NFL offseason after the Deebo Samuel Sr. trade, this time by one analyst predicting that they will deal for a four-time All-Pro pass rusher.
With significant cap space and a young core led by Jayden Daniels, the Commanders are in a prime position to add a former Defensive Player of the Year to strengthen their defense.
How Washington’s Cap Space and Free Agents Impact the Trade Market
Washington enters the offseason with approximately $58.5 million in effective cap space, per Over The Cap, ranking sixth in the NFL. The team’s big-spending budget results from having 29 players set to hit free agency. Key contributors like Bobby Wagner, Zach Ertz, Dante Fowler Jr., and Jeremy Chinn are among those the Commanders may look to retain.
Even with these potential re-signings, Washington should still have ample room to facilitate a blockbuster move. The team’s salary cap outlook remains favorable beyond 2025, with the sixth-lowest total cap allocation for 2026 ($145.2 million) and eighth-lowest for 2027 ($71.3 million).
Why Myles Garrett Makes Sense for the Commanders
In his article highlighting one trade every NFL team should make in the 2025 offseason, author Sterling Xie predicts the Commanders will acquire Myles Garrett via trade.
Garrett, a perennial All-Pro, would elevate a Commanders defense that ranked 17th in PFSN’s Defense+ metric in 2024. Despite allowing the third-fewest passing yards league-wide, Washington’s pass defense struggled, ranking 24th in EPA per dropback. That unit tied for the sixth-highest average depth of target.
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Washington’s pass rush registered the sixth-most blitzes and fifth-highest blitz percentage but was average to below average in hurries, knockdowns, and pressures. Their sack totals and pressure percentage were better, falling just outside the top 10 spots.
At 29 years old, Garrett is still in his prime and coming off another stellar season, recording 14 sacks and a league-leading 22 tackles for loss in 2024. His elite production and game-wrecking ability make him a prime target for a team looking to take the next step and challenge the Philadelphia Eagles.
Trade Compensation for Garrett and His Contract Extension
Acquiring Garrett won’t come cheap. The trade package could include multiple first-round picks, and a player like defensive tackle Daron Payne. However, Garrett’s current contract is manageable, with a 2025 cap hit of $19.7 million.
The Commanders would likely seek to extend Garrett upon acquisition. Only Nick Bosa ($34 million per year) makes more than $30 million annually among edge rushers. Garrett would command a similar figure, setting a new market for the position.
Washington’s ability to pursue Garrett can be attributed to Daniels’ rookie contract. With four more cost-controlled years of their Offensive Rookie of the Year, the Commanders can add significant talent before potentially allocating a large portion of their cap to the QB position.
This timeline aligns well with Terry McLaurin’s contract situation, as the star receiver’s current deal expires after the 2025 season. The Commanders could structure Garrett’s extension to complement future negotiations with McLaurin and Daniels.
While the Commanders’ 2024 success may have been ahead of schedule, the opportunity to add a player of Garrett’s caliber doesn’t come often. With their current cap situation and young core, Washington is uniquely positioned to make such a move.
A trade for Garrett would propel Washington’s wave of momentum and further establish the Commanders as long-term contenders in the NFC. It’s a bold move that could transform Washington from a surprise contender to a perennial powerhouse.
Commanders’ Outlook in 2025 NFL Draft
The Commanders have the ammunition to get a trade done for Garrett with three picks inside the top 80 of the current NFL Draft order. The Commanders select at Nos. 29, 61, and 79 (via the Miami Dolphins), and some of if not all of those picks could be on the move to land a player of Garrett’s caliber.
If they do not trade for a player like Garrett, the Commanders could be in a position to select another potential game-changing defensive player in the 2025 NFL Draft, with PFSN’s Brentley Weissman linking them to South Carolina standout Nick Emmanwori in his latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft.
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“The Washington Commanders had an amazing year in 2024, and with quarterback Jayden Daniels entrenched as the team’s franchise quarterback, their future is bright. For this team to take the next step, Washington must build up this defense to ensure that Daniels isn’t forced into shootouts week in and week out,” Weissman said.
“Nick Emmanwori had one of the best workouts at the NFL Combine that we have ever seen by a safety. He is a freak athlete with truly unreal physical skills. His tape also matches his athletic profile, and he projects as a versatile playmaker who can excel in the deeper areas of the field but also make plays in the box.”
However, PFSN’s Jacob Infante has them prioritizing the offensive side of the football in his seven-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft. Infante links the Commanders with Texas WR Matthew Golden, West Vriginia OL Wyatt Milum, and Ole Miss EDGE Jared Ivey inside the top 100.