The Washington Commanders' main goal during the offseason is to make sure, through all of the player movement, that the Commanders stay competitive. This team went to the NFC Championship in its first season with a new head coach, a new general manager, and a rookie starting quarterback. The way the season shook out means the Commanders have the 29th overall draft pick in the 2025 NFL draft, but it's only one of five picks they have this year. There are a plethora of mock drafts out there, and almost none of them agree on what the Commanders should do with their first-round pick.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell has an idea, though. In his latest mock draft, every single first-round pick was traded to another team. No trade mentioned affected any of the other trades, and while most of these scenarios are unlikely, the Commanders might want to take a look at what he has to say.
Commanders get: 2-43, 3-100, 2026 fifth-round pick49ers get: 1-29
I wrote last week about how the Commanders could benefit from trading down in Round 1. They were one of the league's oldest teams a year ago, and after acquiring Laremy Tunsil, Marshon Lattimore and Deebo Samuel Sr., they have just five picks in 2025 and five more in 2026. The 2024 Texans are a good example of how a team seemingly on the rise can stagnate without an annual influx of talent through the draft.I also believe the 49ers should trade down, but with the sixth-most amount of capital of any team, I wouldn't be surprised to see them consolidate some of their picks. If Commanders general manager Adam Peters does negotiate a deal with his old employers, the 49ers could add offensive line help ahead of the Chiefs and Eagles -- and San Francisco can keep its fifth-round pick from the Samuel trade. The Commanders could address wide receiver at No. 43.
If the Commanders trade their first-round pick, giving away a pick they really don't need because what they need can be found in later rounds, then they'll gain a third-round pick this year and add a 2026 pick to next year's slate.
The Commanders' needs at this point have more to do with depth than a lack of skill. An edge rusher who can contribute immediately would be great, but that's the main immediate impact position they need.
Now, the 49ers would have to agree to this, of course, and giving away those extra picks might not be on their agenda. But Adam Peters should carefully consider this idea and potentially pitch it for real to his former employer.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders add draft capital in mock draft full of trades
