Since becoming the general manager, Adam Peters has been unflinching in cutting loose underperforming assets from the Washington Commanders, especially failed draft picks from the Ron Rivera era. His focus has been on building a competitive roster under the new regime, and players not living up to expectations are unlikely to stick around.
The Commanders have had a strong start to the season, currently standing at 4-1, and face a few favorable matchups if they manage to navigate their tough road game against the Baltimore Ravens. Peters may slightly adjust his strategy ahead of the trade deadline, but unlike the impulsive moves of the previous ownership, his approach is calculated and collaborative.
Peters is willing to make moves when the right deal arises, but he likely feels confident in the team’s performance during this first year of his major rebuild. However, he may also consider trading away players to stockpile draft assets. One potential trade candidate is Jamin Davis, an edge rusher who was a first-round pick but has struggled to make an impact in the NFL. According to Bradley Locker from Pro Football Focus, Davis hasn’t lived up to his draft hype, with a 65.0 PFF grade and no recorded pressures in 70 total snaps this season. Davis switched to edge rusher this offseason but has been buried deep on the depth chart, especially with linebackers like Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner flourishing in their roles. His lack of involvement on the defense, combined with Washington’s decision not to pick up his fifth-year option, suggests he could be on the trade block before the 2024 deadline.
Davis, who was once a key starter during the Rivera years, is now fighting for relevance under Peters’ regime. His transition to edge rusher hasn’t panned out as hoped, and the fact that he’s no longer seen as valuable at linebacker speaks volumes about how Peters views his contributions. The Commanders may be open to trading him, though it’s unlikely they’d receive anything more than a late-round pick in return—still better than losing him for nothing in free agency.
Davis’ future in Washington looks bleak, and while injuries or poor performances from others could give him a chance to get more playing time, there are no guarantees. As the trade deadline approaches, if the Commanders are legitimate playoff contenders, Peters may prioritize adding players rather than subtracting. Regardless, this season will likely be Davis’ last with the Commanders, barring an unexpected turnaround in his performance.
