Commanders predicted to trade defensive star with potential replacement landed in NFL Draft

The Washington Commanders are entering the 2025 season with a target on their back as a legitimate Super Bowl contender. 

Last season, the Commanders shocked the entire NFL by finishing the regular season with a (12-5) record and making an incredible run to the NFC Championship game. It was the team’s most successful season since 1991. 

With Jayden Daniels emerging as the next young star QB in the NFL, the Commanders are suddenly viewed as one of the top teams in the NFC. Last season, he won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and broke plenty of records along the way. 

It’s no surprise this offseason has been focused on the Commanders surrounding Daniels with as many weapons as possible. They traded for 49ers jack-of-all-trades Deebo Samuel. After that, they surprised the entire NFL by trading for Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who nobody predicted would be leaving Houston. 

In the NFL Draft a few weeks ago, the Commanders opted to use their first round pick on Oregon OL Josh Connerly Jr., who will likely switch from his normal position at left tackle to become the right tackle in Washington. 

It’s more than evident there’s an emphasis on protecting Daniels, and in a division with some of the top defensive fronts in Philadelphia, New York and Dallas, the moves make perfect sense. 

But Washington had major holes on defense, too, and lost some of the starters from last year’s team. 

In the second round of the NFL Draft, the Commanders filled a major void by drafting Ole Miss CB Trey Amos, who many talent evaluators had a first round grade on.

Nate Davis of USA Today believes the move could lead to the Commanders eventually trading Marshon Lattimore, who they acquired in the middle of the 2024 season. 

‘He arrived at moderate cost before last season’s trade deadline. But Lattimore’s inability to stay on the field followed him from New Orleans to the nation’s capital – the four-time Pro Bowler has played in 26 regular-season games over the past three seasons and missed 25. With Trey Amos obtained in the second round, Washington could save a good chunk of change if it parts with Lattimore at some point before his contract expires in two years.”