With Terry McLaurin out and Washington still alive in the NFC East, here are three hypothetical trades that could address major needs before the Nov. 10 deadline
By David Harrison
Even before Terry McLaurin’s injury in Week 6, there was plenty of talk starting to build around whether or not the Washington Commanders would be buyers or sellers at the NFL Trade Deadline.
At 1-4-1 entering their Week 7 bye, it’s odd to talk about the Commanders being buyers, but the truth surrounding the NFC East Division has the team firmly in the hunt despite their slow start. Furthermore, the way the Burgundy and Gold have lost close games lends credibility to the thought that one or two improvements in key roles could have a turning impact on the win-loss record for the rest of the season.
Why the Commanders could still buy at the trade deadline
So, as we take the off-week to examine some trade ideas that could help Washington get on track, we’ll start with the most popular name being discussed: Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
Key Takeaways
- Washington enters its Week 7 bye at 1-4-1 but remains within striking distance in an unusually compressed NFC East. New York leads at 3-2-1.
- The 2026 NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. ET.
- Washington plays Philadelphia and the Rams before the deadline, giving the front office two more games to evaluate whether buying makes sense.
- Brian Thomas Jr. has only nine catches for 105 yards and one touchdown through six games after producing 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie.
- Thomas played only 15 snaps in Jacksonville’s Week 6 loss and did not play in the second half.
- Quenton Nelson is 30 and entering the final year of his current Colts contract before scheduled 2027 free agency.
- Josh Downs has 24 catches for 289 yards through six games and would give Washington a younger receiver option.
- Jauan Jennings signed a one-year, $8 million contract with Minnesota and has only two receptions for nine yards through four appearances.
- None of these proposals should be presented as evidence Washington is actively negotiating for the players; they are reporter-generated trade scenarios based on roster needs, current situations, and reported league discussion.
Trade idea No. 1: Brian Thomas Jr. gives Washington a young WR option
Thomas had a standout rookie season with the Jaguars, but in the past two seasons has had a hard time replicating that production. This year, he has just nine catches on 20 targets for 105 yards and one touchdown through six games.
This has led to a revived conversation around his future in Jacksonville, and since the Commanders are in the spot they are with one of Thomas’ best friends quarterbacking their team, it’s no surprise his name continues to come up in both teams’ trade speculations.
Recently, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union Jags reporter Demetrius Harvey pitched a trade idea in which Washington would receive the receiver in exchange for defensive tackle Daron Payne and a conditional 2027 fourth-round pick.
“Jacksonville won’t send Thomas off for nothing,” writes Harvey. “If they deal him, Jacksonville will likely acquire a player who can contribute right away. It’s even more likely they’ll acquire a player(s) on the defensive side of the ball.”
Payne is on an expensive expiring contract, which draws his trade value down for any team, but the fact that Thomas played just 15 snaps against the Houston Texans in Week 6 is an example of just how far he’s fallen in Jacksonville’s future plans.
If Commanders general manager Adam Peters were to approach this type of deal, it’d make more sense to start with a 2027 5th in addition to Payne, at most.
Quick Facts: 2026 NFL trade deadline
- Deadline: Tuesday, Nov. 10
- Time: 4 p.m. ET
- Commanders record: 1-4-1
- NFC East leader: Giants, 3-2-1
- Washington games before deadline: 2
- Nov. 1: vs. Philadelphia
- Nov. 8: vs. Los Angeles Rams
Proposed Commanders deals in this article
- Brian Thomas Jr.: Daron Payne + 2027 fifth-round pick
- Quenton Nelson + Josh Downs: 2027 second-round pick + 2028 fourth-round pick
- Jauan Jennings: 2027 fifth-round pick
Player snapshot
- Thomas: 24 years old; 9 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD
- Nelson: 30; scheduled for 2027 unrestricted free agency
- Downs: 25; 24 catches, 289 yards
- Jennings: 2 catches, 9 yards; one-year Vikings deal
Trade idea No. 2: Quenton Nelson and Josh Downs address two major needs
There are plenty of people wondering if the Indianapolis Colts are going to go all-in on a franchise-altering trade deadline. Running back Jonathan Taylor is at the top of the list of names many are waiting to see get dealt, and the run game in Washington hasn’t been as effective as it’d hoped it would be.
Second-year back Jacory Croskey-Merritt is on injured reserve with a recurring groin injury, while veterans Rachaad White, Austin Ekeler, and Jeremy McNichols are doing their best behind an offensive line not giving them much room to operate.
Given Taylor’s status as one of the top backs in the NFL, his arrival would certainly project as an improvement, but as long as the line remains a question mark, that growth will be capped.
That’s where Quenton Nelson comes in. Nelson is older, so the ‘young players only’ crowd won’t love the idea simply on that alone. However, those who want to get better today while building a roadmap to get younger and better for the future will like the idea.
It’ll take draft capital that most don’t like trading for players in their 30s, but Nelson is worth it. Adding the veteran would also likely lead to a new contract, as his current deal expires after 2026.
Current market value projects that deal at four years, $96 million, averaging roughly $24 million per year.
Adding Nelson automatically upgrades the line and should therefore upgrade the running game. With McLaurin out, and the Commanders looking to find a way to manufacture his production with several receivers, not just one, I’d then pivot to young receiver Josh Downs over Taylor, who would require even higher draft capital and contractual considerations.
Locked On Colts host Jake Arthur says he could see both Nelson and Downs being among candidates to be traded, though the young receiver is someone he believes the team would prefer to keep.
My pitch: Washington receives Nelson and Downs, and Indianapolis gets third-round picks in both 2027 and 2028. If I’m Peters, I’d likely be willing to settle for a deal costing his 2027 2nd-round pick and a 2028 4th.
Trade idea No. 3: Jauan Jennings offers a lower-cost WR option
The final trade idea I’ll present here would frustrate some, because receiver Jauan Jennings was someone many Commanders fans hoped Peters would pursue in free agency.
Instead, he landed with the Minnesota Vikings and has now been identified by several national reporters as a player worth watching as the trade deadline approaches.
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis chimed in recently on Jennings speculation, saying, “Obviously the production from a pass-catching standpoint hasn’t been there…I’ve also thought, when you go back and watch the tape, there are instances where you can see the blocking prowess that he provides, but also other snaps and examples where it just feels like you need a little more physicality.
