Blockbuster trade idea reunites Jayden Daniels with ex-LSU teammate

Since OTAs started, the biggest topic around the Washington Commanders is whether they did enough to get Jayden Daniels more weapons in 2026, specifically at wide receiver. After Terry McLaurin, the Commanders have a room full of young guys who want to compete for a starting role, but do any of them have what it takes to carry that load? Right now, we don’t really know the answer to that question.

Not having that answer is one of many reasons for speculation that the Commanders will nab Brandon Aiyuk if the San Francisco 49ers release him. It’s why Stefon Diggs is talked about. But these are free agency signings, and that’s only one way to add players to your team.

In light of the recent blockbuster trades for Myles Garrett and A.J. Brown, Bleacher Report suggested a few other trades that could have a similar impact. One of those trade scenarios has the Commanders landing Brian Thomas Jr. on their roster.

Jacksonville Jaguars receive: 2027 first-round pick, 2027 sixth-round pick

Advertisement

Washington Commanders receive: WR Brian Thomas Jr.

The Jacksonville Jaguars appeared to have one of the biggest steals of the 2024 NFL draft on their hands after Brian Thomas Jr., the No. 23 overall selection that year, exploded for nearly 1,300 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 87 receptions as a rookie.

A confounding follow-up campaign, one in which the wideout recorded a modest 48/707/2 stat line, could lead to a surprisingly early exit from Duval.

Thomas dealt with physical and mental health challenges during his disappointing sophomore season. While he managed to appear in 14 games in 2025, he was often reticent to go across the middle and recently said that it ‘hurt to run’ at times.

Jacksonville Jaguars receive: 2027 first-round pick, 2027 sixth-round pick

Washington Commanders receive: WR Brian Thomas Jr.

The Jacksonville Jaguars appeared to have one of the biggest steals of the 2024 NFL draft on their hands after Brian Thomas Jr., the No. 23 overall selection that year, exploded for nearly 1,300 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 87 receptions as a rookie.

A confounding follow-up campaign, one in which the wideout recorded a modest 48/707/2 stat line, could lead to a surprisingly early exit from Duval.

Thomas dealt with physical and mental health challenges during his disappointing sophomore season. While he managed to appear in 14 games in 2025, he was often reticent to go across the middle and recently said that it ‘hurt to run’ at times.

That’s only a portion of what was written, but it’s enough. It’s not a secret that Thomas Jr. struggled in Liam Cohen’s scheme in his second season, and it might be better for him as a player to land on a new team. It’s also not abnormal for a player in his second year to struggle and have a down season.

Brian Thomas Jr. still has an extremely high upside who could absolutely take the Commanders’ offense to the next level opposite Terry McLaurin. He’s still young, and he has WR1 potential, and McLaurin isn’t going to be around forever. It would be really exciting to watch Jayden Daniels and these two receivers put on a show. While all of the talk centers on Daniels reuniting with Aiyuk, he played two seasons at LSU with Thomas, including their record-breaking final 2023 season.

However, the Commanders already have just six picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, and giving up two of them on a single player is a tough pill to swallow. Especially with the draft being held in Washington, D.C. next year. Now, that doesn’t mean that Adam Peters won’t see this suggestion and try to find a different option, but as it stands, it’s unlikely the Commanders will do something like this.

Never say never, though. In the NFL, anything is possible.