The Washington Commanders were reportedly the only NFC team on the shortlist of four teams including the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, and Pittsburgh Steelers working with the San Francisco 49ers on a trade for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, 26, the 25th overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Commanders have since removed themselves from contention with the Browns and Patriots emerging as the final contenders.
The Brandon Aiyuk story has been a fascinating and unexpected one during the 2024 NFL offseason. It is interesting to learn that the Commanders were involved in trying to acquire him.
What does that mean? It could mean that the team is looking for an established yet young talented wide receiver to complement Jayden Daniels/Marcus Mariota.
The current wide receivers room consists of Terry McLaurin, a 2019 third-round draft pick by the Commanders. McLaurin, 28, is under contract with the team through the 2025 NFL season. Jahan Dotson, 24, was the team’s 2022 first-round draft pick (16th overall). 23-year-old rookie Luke McCaffrey is third on the depth chart; McCaffrey was the 100th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Commanders would likely have had to offer McLaurin or Dotson in a potential trade package along with future draft picks which may have included their first-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
