Breaking: Commanders Closing In On Deal To Sign $4.89 Million Bargain WR In Proposed Trade
After selecting Jayden Daniels with the second pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Washington Commanders may attempt to add other weapons around him. After losing Curtis Samuel to the Buffalo Bills in free agency, the team gained Austin Ekeler and other players through free agency and the draft, providing weapons for the No. 2 pick. According to Rico of Bleacher Report, the Commanders proposed a deal with the San Francisco 49ers to acquire another weapon for Daniels.
The transaction does not include Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk, but rather Jauan Jennings. Rico’s trade would send a fifth-round pick to the 49ers.
“So I got Jauan Jennings to the Commanders from the 49ers. They get a fifth-rounder in this one here. Obviously, this one is a no-brainer for me,” Rico said on his NFL trade ideas stream. “You get help in the slot. I know Luke McCaffrey’s there, but you get a big, experienced slot that you can work in with Jahan Dotson, they can work in with Scary Terry.”
How Jauan Jennings Would Help the Commanders
Terry McLaurin, a true Pro Bowler, currently plays for the Washington Commanders. However, outside of McLaurin, the weaponry may be improved.
Jahan Dotson, the Commanders’ No. 2 receiver, recorded 518 yards on 49 grabs, averaging 10.6 yards per catch. Ekeler, a running back and wide receiver, recorded his fewest receiving yards since 2020 in 2023.
Heading into the season, as currently built, McLaurin is the only receiver on the roster who ended with more than 518 yards.
Jennings, who played for the San Francisco 49ers alongside Christian McCaffrey, Samuel, and Aiyuk, did not exceed 518 yards in 2023. Jennings saw a new role for the Commanders.
The 26-year-old totaled 265 yards on 19 receptions, averaging 13.9 yards per catch. Jennings is also expected to earn just $4.8 million in 2024.
Commanders Still Need Wide Receiver Help
Even after the draft, the Washington Commanders are looking for wide receiver help.
Evan Winter of A to Z Sports ranked the Commanders’ three most pressing needs following the NFL draft, with wide receiver coming in third.
“The Commanders drafted Luke McCaffrey and signed Olamide Zaccheaus in free agency, but the group still needs some more experienced help,” Winter wrote in an email on April 30. “Much like the cornerback room, if Terry McLaurin or Jahan Dotson miss any time, it’s not a favorable situation.
“Washington also needs to increase the room size. As of now, the squad only boasts one wideout taller than 6-foot-1, Brycen Tremaine, who stands 6-foot-4. There is no one who can go up and high point the ball or make difficult red zone catches. When you have a quarterback like Daniels, you need a wideout who can handle it.”
Winter stated that the San Francisco 49ers receiver, who stands 6-foot-3, would provide them with height.
With the decision to draft a quarterback with the second overall pick, having support around him will only help. On April 26, Bryan Manning of Commanders Wire said that the purpose in drafting Daniels is to provide him with all of the assistance he requires.
“The goal now is to surround him with plenty of help,” Manning wrote.
