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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Ivan Lambert

Why the Commanders should not go ‘all in’ on Myles Garrett

Wow, there is much excitement in the DMV on February 4, 2025.

Tuesday was spent hyperventilating about Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett, requesting to be traded, and some asserting that the Commanders are a front-runner to get him this offseason.

The Commanders will select 29th overall in the annual April NFL draft. Unfortunately, Jayden Daniels had such a great year that the Commanders did not improve from the 2nd overall pick to 9th or 19th. Daniels led the Commanders all the way to the NFC Championship game, thus earning the 29th overall draft position.

For those wanting the trade, I will grant that a pass rusher of Garrett’s abilities will most likely be gone (long gone) by the time the Commanders are on the clock at 29. Consequently, that could be an argument for going after Garrett.

When Jonathan Allen was drafted by Washington 17th overall in the 2017 draft, Garrett was drafted first overall by Cleveland. Garrett has certainly come through for Cleveland, producing 102.5 sacks, and has arguably been the NFL’s best defensive player since entering the league.

Did I mention Garrett led the NFL in tackles for a loss (TFL) this season with 22? He was also second in QB sacks with 14. By contrast, Dante Fowler led Washington with 14 TFL.

But, as my dad who grew up farming, reminded me more than a few times, “Boy, there are two sides to every coin.”

One side of the coin is Garrett would bring more TFLs and more QB sacks. The other side is how much are you trading away to get Garrett? One side says Garrett is the missing piece the Commanders need. The other side in me says, No, Garrett is not the missing piece the Commanders need because the Commanders need more than one piece. They need several new players next season.

One suggestion was trading away rookie offensive tackle Brandon Coleman — plus multiple premium draft picks. The Commanders’ offensive line often did not sustain the running game last season, and Sam Cosmi will be out much of the year, tearing his ACL in January.

So, would general manager Adam Peters trade Coleman — plus a lot more — after already not having Cosmi for much of next season?

Would Peters trade first round draft picks and a starter or two for Garrett and leave himself with more holes in next year’s roster than he already has now?

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