Sign Higgins? Trade for Garrett? Raid the Eagles? Sizing up potential big Commanders moves

Trade for end Myles Garrett

Why they might: Washington needs an impact defensive player, and few, if any, would provide more of a boost than the Cleveland Browns' Garrett, the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and a first-team All-Pro at defensive end in four of the past five years. As one NFC offensive coach said, it would move the needle for Washington on defense: "They would be able to compete better with Philly for sure" by acquiring Garrett. And with quarterback Jayden Daniels on a rookie contract, Washington could take advantage by not only trading for Garrett but also extending his contract, which expires after the 2026 season.

Why they wouldn't: Browns general manager Andrew Berry reiterated at the scouting combine that their plan is to keep Garrett. Also, Garrett's contract would make it difficult for the Browns to trade him before the draft. If he's traded before June 1, the Browns would lose $16.5 million in cap room. If he's traded after June 1, they would gain $4.9 million in cap space. That doesn't mean no trade would happen, but it could impact the timing.

Perhaps a bigger factor is whether Washington will have enough to entice the Browns in a trade. It's uncertain what it would take, but some league sources have speculated it would take at least two first-round picks (and that also would depend on where those selections would be in the first round).

"If I were Cleveland I would want a lot for him," said one league source, who wondered if Washington would have to mortgage too much of the future to obtain him.

Right now, the best the Commanders could offer is the 29th pick in this draft plus a first-rounder in 2026. Considering Washington played in the NFC Championship Game last season and has a top young talent at quarterback in Daniels, a projected first-round pick next year -- after acquiring Garrett -- could be around the same spot.

Sign receiver Tee Higgins

Why they might: The Commanders can create another $16.3 million in cap space once they move on from defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, whom they gave permission to seek a trade this week. That would free up cap space to make a splash signing -- if they desire. And few would provide more impact than Higgins, who offers size (6-foot-4, 219 pounds) and production (330 career receptions and 34 touchdowns in five seasons with the Bengals).

"Now you have two No. 1 receivers at all times," said ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen, who projected Higgins to Washington. "He can play inside as a big slot; he's excellent at running deep in-breakers, and he has a great catch radius over the middle that would be great for Jayden Daniels."

Of Washington's top six receivers from last season, only two are signed for 2025: Terry McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey.

One NFL offensive coach said adding Higgins would prevent defenses from "shading coverage one way."

"If they're trying to take away Terry," the source said, "there's another option to go to. ... You need two guys.

"Spend every dollar you can while Jayden is on a rookie deal."

Why they wouldn't: The Commanders' offense ranked fifth in scoring and seventh in yards without a high-level explosive second option beyond McLaurin. They could re-sign players such as Olamide Zaccheaus, Dyami Brown, Noah Brown and Jamison Crowder. They could also keep some of them and add another veteran such as Cooper Kupp or Deebo Samuel (more on them later). Or sign a free agent who commands a less-expensive contract. Or draft one.

Joel Corry, a former NFL agent who now analyzes the salary cap and contracts for CBS, said he anticipates Higgins getting "north of $30 million per year" if the Bengals don't apply the franchise tag on him. As Corry said, only two teams -- the Eagles and Dolphins -- have two receivers counting at least $25 million per year on the cap. It would be a similar explanation for why they might not want to trade for Seattle receiver DK Metcalf, who is in the final year of his contract and would also command an expensive extension.

Trade for WR Deebo Samuel

Why they might: Familiarity. Peters was an assistant general manager in San Francisco for five seasons with Samuel. Washington placed a great deal of emphasis on firsthand knowledge of players they acquired in free agency last offseason. Samuel's versatility -- the ability to play in the backfield or at receiver -- would mesh well with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's system.

Why they wouldn't: Cost. Samuel is in the final year of a contract worth $17.5 million, though it is not guaranteed. Would Samuel want an extension from any new team, and what would that cost? Also, the potential draft pick compensation remains uncertain and would be determined based on how many teams are interested. However, teams also know he wants to be traded and that the 49ers will honor that request, which could lower the cost to acquire him.

Trade for WR Cooper Kupp

Why they might: Despite injuries, Kupp remains productive and would be an inviting target over the middle for Daniels. Kupp averaged 67 catches for 753 yards and 5.7 touchdowns over the past three years. Also, his contract would be palatable if the Rams trade him after the fifth day of the league year, thereby picking up a $7.5 million roster bonus. Under that scenario he would occupy $12.5 million on the cap for a new team.

Why they wouldn't: Kupp has played in only 33 of his past 51 games because of injuries and has played just one full season in the past five years. It's possible the Rams end up having to cut him, and any team could then pursue him without needing to give up a draft pick. Also, other slot receivers could become available. Jacksonville's Christian Kirk has been mentioned as a candidate to be cut; he played for Kingsbury in Arizona. To sweeten the pot, three years ago Kingsbury called Kirk "one of my favorite players I've ever been around."

Raid the Eagles' defensive line

Why they might: End Josh Sweat and tackle Milton Williams are coming off strong years and played key roles on the Philadelphia line that helped the team win the Super Bowl. Both would fill a hole. Washington could use an end adept at playing the run and rushing the passer -- it has soon-to-be free agent ends in Clelin Ferrell and Dante Fowler Jr. Sweat has averaged 8.25 sacks the past four seasons, and his run stop win rate of 29% last season was better than any of Washington's defensive ends. Williams would fill a hole created by the potential trade or release of Allen. Williams had a career-high five sacks in 2024 and is only 25.

Why they wouldn't: Cost. Corry said Sweat could command a deal worth "north of" $20 million annually. Though Williams' contract will not be as expensive, he might have more suitors driving up that price. The draft is also considered deep at defensive tackle, so that might provide another option to find players to pair alongside presumptive starters Daron Payne and Jer'Zhan Newton.

INDIANAPOLIS -- After finalizing his coaching staff, the first line of business for Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson and his coordinators was discussing the traits and characteristics they need from players who would best adapt to the staff's recent overhaul.

A significant portion of those players are already on the roster, but after reviewing those who wouldn't fit Johnson's idea for the offense and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's vision, the team began making cuts ahead of this week's combine.

The release of veteran defensive end DeMarcus Walker saved the Bears $5.25 million against the salary cap and created an opening for a starting pass rusher. It's among the top positions Chicago is focusing on at the combine as it evaluates draft prospects. It will also be a target in free agency, which begins in two weeks.

For the first time since 2022, the Bears didn't come into the combine with the No. 1 overall pick. Chicago traded the draft's top choice to the Carolina Panthers in 2023 and used it to select Caleb Williams in 2024.

While now set to draft at No. 10 and armed with $76.2 million in cap space, according to Roster Management System, Chicago general manager Ryan Poles is able to focus on a position of significant need: the defensive line.

"I think the clearer the vision, the more aggressive you can be, and that's important," Poles said. "You want to be selective in free agency ... but if there are certain players that kind of hit all the checked boxes that you need, there's really no reason to hold back. I feel like you can be aggressive in those situations."

One season after adding Montez Sweat at the trade deadline and giving him a four-year, $98 million contract, the Pro Bowl defensive end totaled 5.5 sacks as Chicago's lead rusher in 2024. While the Bears' pass rush showed improvement in sacks (from 30 in 2023 to 40 in '24), sack percentage (from a league-worst 4.6% to 7.1%) and quarterback hits (from 92 to 100), its ability to affect opposing quarterbacks still needs work.

The strength of the 2025 draft class is rooted in the defensive line. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has seven defensive linemen/pass rushers projected as first-round picks in his latest mock draft. While Kiper projected the Bears to take an offensive lineman with the 10th overall pick in two mock drafts, most recently pegging Ohio State's Josh Simmons to replace Braxton Jones at left tackle, Poles didn't rule out the possibility of using free agency and the first round to find Sweat's running mate on the D-line.

"There's a strategy to that," Poles said. "I would probably argue and say if you get a good pass rusher and you draft a pass rusher, you can't have enough good ones.

"You want to see how you could put the puzzle together where you can kind of fill all the needs perfectly. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't."

Poles referenced the Philadelphia Eagles' pass rush dominating Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes with six sacks in their Super Bowl LIX win. The Eagles were led by pending free agent Josh Sweat with 2.5. Haason Reddick, Malcolm Koonce and Khalil Mack highlight the other top pass rushers available, but it's hard to see some of those names being a fit in Chicago.

For starters, Poles' first major move as general manager was trading Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022. Koonce, at 27, missed his contract season in Las Vegas with a knee injury.

As it pertains to edge rushers, the buzz in Indianapolis continues to center on Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, who requested a trade earlier this month. Browns general manager Andrew Barry said Tuesday that Cleveland's stance on Garrett has not changed.

"We can't imagine a situation where not having Myles in this organization is best for the Browns," Barry said.

But should that change, Chicago may be one of a few teams that could actually pull off a trade for the defensive end who totaled 83 pressures, 14.5 sacks, 28 quarterback hits, and a pressure rate of 18.4% in 2024. The Bears own a top 10 pick and have two second-round selections, including Carolina's pick at No. 39.

Garrett's $25 million salary is slightly above what the Bears paid Sweat based on average annual value, and he's under contract through the 2026 season.

While still early, the discussion of types of players the Bears hope to target on defense is one Johnson has had frequently with his coaches. And it all comes back to the same principle: get after the quarterback.

"Talking to (Dennis Allen) has been very enlightening, because we share the same mindset when it comes to defensive football which is we want to affect the passer," Johnson said. "There's a lot of ways to do that. Certainly, up front the pass rush is the primary thing you think of but also on the back end, it's challenging the receivers and disrupting the timing. So when we look at guys that are available, absolutely, we want to upgrade the pass rush and we also want on the backend to come up and lock down receivers as well. So it's the fine balance and marriage between the rush and coverage that we are looking to augment."