Commanders boast two of NFL's top 10 offseason moves

The Washington Commanders were very active during the early portion of free agency, signing players, trading players, and making moves that they hope will see the team continue to improve on its success. Two of their biggest moves were trades, acquiring wide receiver Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers and tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Houston Texans.

The only things the Commanders had to give up for both Samuel and Tunsil were draft picks, which prompted CBS Sports to rank both trades in its top 10 offseason moves to date.

Samuel has durability issues, yes, and he may never fully replicate the multipurpose stardom that made him the apple of Kyle Shanahan's eye with the San Francisco 49ers, but for a single late-rounder, you could do a whole lot worse for a one-year flyer. Especially with Terry McLaurin on the other side and Jayden Daniels airing it out. It's a perfect marriage with the Commanders in win-now mode.
Washington also swapped fourth-rounders with the Houston Texans to land Tunsil, who will be 31 when the season kicks off and has missed multiple games in four of his last six seasons. It's a relatively steep price, considering Tunsil also commands the NFL's third-largest left tackle contract. Or is it? Blind-side blocking is vital, and Tunsil's experience should be a welcome reprieve for 2024 rookie sensation Jayden Daniels. The Commanders are clearly angling for a quick title push, and on paper, this helps.

Both of these trades made the Commanders a better team as soon as the documents were signed. Tunsil is a tough lineman, and Jayden Daniels will be more successful knowing his blind side is protected by a veteran who can handle whatever is thrown at him. Daniels will still run, he will still have to scramble out of the pocket at times, but he will be in far less danger in 2025.

Samuel not only gives Daniels an additional outlet but takes some of the heat off of Terry McLaurin. Opposing defenses will have more to focus on when they're both on the field, and either wideout is capable of winning almost any one-on-one match.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders have made two of the top 10 offseason moves

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