The Washington Commanders are heading into a pivotal offseason - one that could shape the trajectory of the franchise for years to come. After a disappointing 2025 campaign, the front office has a long checklist to tackle, and near the top of that list is a glaring need at edge rusher.
Let’s start with the numbers: Washington ranks 17th in the league in sacks. That’s not the kind of pressure you want to see from a defense that’s trying to set the tone.
Von Miller, even at this stage of his career and heading into free agency, leads the team in sacks. That’s both a testament to Miller’s enduring talent and a red flag for the rest of the unit.
Dorance Armstrong, who was second on the team in sacks, hasn’t seen the field since Week 7 due to injury. That’s left the Commanders scrambling to generate consistent pressure off the edge.
So it’s no surprise that edge rusher is being identified as a top priority heading into 2026. According to reports, Washington could be exploring the trade market for help - and not just any help. They may be targeting players on expiring rookie deals, which could present an opportunity to acquire high-upside talent without breaking the bank in free agency.
Three names have surfaced as potential targets: Kayvon Thibodeaux (Giants), Travon Walker (Jaguars), and Jermaine Johnson (Jets). All three are former first-round picks, all three are on rookie contracts set to expire after the 2026 season, and all three have shown flashes of being impact players - even if 2025 hasn’t been their best statistical year.
Let’s break them down:
Kayvon Thibodeaux - New York Giants
Thibodeaux might be the most realistic trade candidate of the trio.
While his sack numbers have dipped this season, he notched double-digit sacks two years ago and still flashes the kind of bend and burst that made him a top-five pick. The Giants, meanwhile, are deep at edge rusher.
With Brian Burns and Abdul Carter both under contract for the foreseeable future, New York has the luxury of dealing from a position of strength.
There’s a wrinkle, though - Carter has been benched twice this season, raising some internal questions. If the Giants aren’t fully sold on Carter’s consistency, they may be hesitant to move on from Thibodeaux. Still, if the right offer comes along, it’s hard to ignore the logic of flipping a talented edge rusher for valuable draft capital in the midst of a rebuild.
Jermaine Johnson - New York Jets
Johnson is another intriguing option.
He recorded 7.5 sacks in 2023 before suffering a torn Achilles in 2024 - an injury that’s likely playing a role in his underwhelming production this year. But when healthy, Johnson has the tools: length, motor, and the ability to set the edge in the run game.
The Jets are in the early stages of a rebuild, and there’s a case to be made for moving Johnson to stockpile picks. That said, they’re reportedly high on him - and that showed when they set a steep asking price at the trade deadline. Plus, trading him would leave the edge room dangerously thin, and that’s not something defensive-minded head coach Aaron Glenn is likely to be thrilled about.
Travon Walker - Jacksonville Jaguars
Of the three, Walker seems the least likely to be on the move.
Despite a quieter 2025, he put up back-to-back double-digit sack seasons in 2023 and 2024 and remains a cornerstone of Jacksonville’s front seven. The Jaguars are expected to be in win-now mode in 2026, and subtracting a pass rusher with Walker’s upside doesn’t align with that vision.
Unless something changes dramatically, don’t count on Jacksonville picking up the phone for this one.
For Washington, it’s about more than just adding a name - it’s about finding a young, ascending player who fits the long-term vision. Whether that’s through a trade or the draft, the Commanders can’t afford to enter 2026 with the same pass-rush struggles they showed this year.
The defense needs a spark off the edge. And if they can find the right deal, one of these former first-rounders just might be the answer.