The Washington Commanders have been one of the best success stories in the NFL this season, as the team has a 5-2 record through seven weeks and is atop the NFC East.
The brilliance of rookie signal-caller Jayden Daniels and first-year offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury have propelled Washington to another level and they are the primary reason for the impressive record.
The Commanders’ offense has flourished, but Joe Whitt’s defense has been extremely inconsistent. The unit is coming off a dominant outing versus an abysmal Carolina Panthers offense, but it’s clear Washington could use some assistance on the defensive side of the ball, especially cornerback.
Benjamin St-Juste and Mike Sainristil serve as the team’s primary boundary cornerbacks. Although Sainristil has shown flashes, St-Juste has struggled, and Washington should do all they can at the trade deadline to bring in an upgrade.
With the cornerback being a pressing need for the Commanders, Pro Football Focus Bradley Locker suggests Cleveland Browns star Denzel Ward as a potential trade target for Washington.
The Browns have already dealt Cooper, but there’s still a plethora of talent left on the roster — and no viable path to contending given the team’s 1-6 record and the state of its offense. That could make some talented Cleveland defenders available, including Ward.
If Washington wants to make a serious push in Dan Quinn’s first year, giving Cleveland a call about Ward (or Greg Newsome II) doesn’t seem far-fetched.
Ward has been one of the most consistent corners in the NFL since entering the league in 2018. The former No.4 overall pick has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times and has allowed a 53.5% completion rate and a 74.5 passer rating when targeted during his career.
Though the Browns’ season has been a complete train wreck, Ward is having another stellar campaign in 2024, surrendering a 44% completion rate and 68.3 passer rating when targeted through seven contests. The former Ohio State Buckeye also leads the league in passes defended with 12.
Acquiring Ward shouldn’t be too challenging for general manager Adam Peters, as Washington has a healthy amount of 2025 draft capital and plenty of cap space to endure the 27-year-old’s lucrative contract.
The Browns would be foolish to deal Ward, but if the veteran is on the trade market, there’s no excuse for Peters not to get a deal done with Cleveland to bring the star defensive back to the nation’s capital.
