Commanders general manager Adam Peters won’t sleep much throughout this weekend. There’s an initial 53-man roster to form and a practice squad to construct, plus a waiver wire to scour for pieces that can help Washington as the 2026 regular season kicks off.
We previously mentioned the prospect of trading for an experienced reserve center, maybe someone losing a position battle who has more of a chance to contribute in Washington. Peters could secure a coveted player before he hits the open market
with some Day 3 NFL draft capital.
The Commanders need to pick up players, but they could also deal from positions of strength. While player-for-player deals are relatively rare in the NFL, Peters could acquire some assets or fortify weaknesses in trade.
Washington has some tough choices ahead at receiver and linebacker especially, possibly with players who will get picked up on the waiver wire after getting cut. Understand that you’ve got to give up something to get something, which is why this list is short and the players on it must be attractive additions to another team. Here are a few options Peters could flip for an asset.
WR Dyami Brown
Dyami Brown has had a strong camp, especially of late, yet sits squarely on the roster bubble in a deep receiver group. The Stefon Diggs signing changed this position group, bumping those seemingly competing for prominent roles deeper on the depth chart.
Return ability is a factor here as well, which is why Jaylin Lane and (to a lesser extent) Luke McCaffrey seem safe. That puts Brown and Treylon Burks in a bout for the No. 6 receiver spot – keeping seven doesn’t seem likely – and could make one of them a trade target.
Brown could fetch a bit more considering his speed and consistent availability, and Burks is a big-play option who provides injury protection and a big-body in the pattern. Washington could trade Brown and be okay.
LB Jordan Magee
Jordan Magee seems set to make the 53-man roster as a solid reserve behind Sonny Styles, Frankie Luvu and Leo Chenal. The Commanders also have Kain Medrano and Ale Kaho, athletic linebackers and special teams contributors who have played well this preseason yet sit on the roster bubble.
While Magee has dealt with shoulder problems during camp, he might be more attractive as a solid backup. Washington could survive with Medrano and Kaho if they moved Magee, but the return would have to be fair.
EDGE Dorance Armstrong
This seems more like a trade deadline deal prospect than something before the season, with Dorance Armstrong coming off a torn ACL while facing a one-game suspension to start the season. The Commanders have received solid early returns from rookie Joshua Josephs – he’s definitely still developing – and Jovantae Jean-Baptiste.
Amstrong is an excellent depth piece with tons of experience and injury protection at a premium position, but he’s in a contract year and might be deemed a valuable trade asset closer to the deadline after he has proven productive coming off of injury. Still, sometimes you must give something valuable to get something.
Who else would you trade prior to final cuts for a center or to accumulate future draft capital? Let us know in the comments below.
