The Washington Commanders have nailed their colors to the 2025 mast this offseason with the franchise clearly in win-now mode.
With Jayden Daniels on a rookie contract, the Commanders took full advantage of it, trading for Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil to upgrade two key offensive positions.
But with the draft under two weeks away, the Commanders, who pick late in the first round thanks to their NFC Championship appearance, aren't in a good position to take a stud.
However ESPN thinks the Commanders should push all their chips into the middle of the table, trade up, and get themselves a potential star.
"No team should approach the draft more aggressively than the Commanders," ESPN writes. "They've already started this process, dealing picks to acquire veteran wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Once you make the NFC Championship Game in your rookie quarterback's first season as a pro, you commit. Get the chips to the middle of the table. Trade up. Swing for the stars."
It is unknown exactly how high the Commanders could trade up, and considering they only have five draft picks, their selections are rather limited.
But defense is a clear need, and with the likes of Will Johnson, Nick Emmanwori, and Malaki Starks, all have seen their names linked to Washington in several mock drafts.
Don't forget pass rushers, too. Mykel Williams, Shemar Stewart, and Donovan Ezeiruaku also have a chance to be taken in the first round to seriously bolster Joe Whitt Jr.'s defensive ranks.
The Commanders aren't here to take part anymore; they are here to make some serious noise in 2025, and to do that, maybe trading up for a defensive star is the way to go.
Swinging for the stars, indeed.
