When the Washington Commanders lost wide receiver Terry McLaurin to a season-ending knee injury in Week 6, it immediately led to speculation that they’d be potential buyers at the NFL trade deadline.
Never mind that the Commanders are currently 2-4-1; they are only two games out of first place in the NFC East. They remain very much alive, despite everything going wrong so far this season.
With the NFL trade deadline only one week away, would the Commanders look for help? There has been more talk of Washington potentially selling players, but some of that talk ended last week when defensive tackle Daron Payne suffered a season-ending foot injury. Payne was viewed as the Washington player most likely to be dealt.
What if the Commanders were buyers?
Could they look at a wide receiver? It depends on the player, of course. Jacksonville wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. makes a ton of sense. He also makes a lot of sense for other WR-needy teams, too. The 2024 first-round pick was outstanding as a rookie, but has struggled since under new head coach Liam Coen. The Jags insist he isn’t available. They’re just waiting for the right deal.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz listed another wide receiver on Monday as potentially linked to the Commanders: Josh Downs of the Indianapolis Colts.
“I would say keep an eye on the Steelers, Chiefs, and Commanders, among others, and then don’t be surprised if other teams we haven’t even considered yet, because he’s valuable and he’s set to become a free agent,” Schultz said, via Paul Bretl of Colts Wire.
Here’s everything I know about the #Colts’ trade talks involving RB Jonathan Taylor, WR Josh Downs, DT Grover Stewart and other players, including which teams are interested and why Indianapolis is trading players away.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 2, 2026
Discussed with @Realrclark25 on #ThePivot: https://t.co/ZANCGWaIE2 pic.twitter.com/h2YyOt9mb3
Schultz said the Colts want a third-round pick for Downs, but believe he'll actually go for a fourth.
Does that make sense for Washington?
The 5-foot-9, 171-pound Downs is 25 years old and in his fourth NFL season. He’s a free agent at season’s end. In his first three NFL seasons, Downs played in 47 games, catching 198 passes for 2,140 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s also a solid punt returner.
This season, Downs has 30 receptions for 330 yards and one touchdown.
Thomas would make sense for Washington. Downs would not. If the Commanders trade for a receiver, they need a dominant potential WR1. Thomas isn’t there yet, but he has the potential, while Downs is an excellent piece. Washington has several solid pieces, including Treylon Burks and rookie Antonio Williams.
It sounds like Downs will be traded, but it would be a surprise if the Commanders are the ones trading for him.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders linked to Colts' wide receiver ahead of NFL trade deadline
