The National Football League’s trade deadline is today at 4pm. After dropping to 2-6 on the weekend, the Washington Football Team certainly could be sellers as their playoff aspirations are already disappearing. Head Coach Ron Rivera has indicated that he will be evaluating everything over the team’s bye week.
Will any deals get done today?
Landon Collins
On Monday night, the Athletic’s Ben Standig reported that Washington had made safety Landon Collins available for trade. Or is that linebacker Landon Collins?
The Football Team would love to ship off the big 6-year, $84 million contract that they gave Collins in 2019. They may even be willing to pay some of that money like Miami did in the Erick Flowers deal with WFT. With base salaries of $11.5 million, $12.5 million, and $13.5 million in his final 3 years, it may otherwise be tough to find a suitor for Collins’ services.
Collins hasn’t lived up to the contract he signed, and that makes him a definite “disposable asset”.
The problem is, having not played up to that contract, who would want to take it on?
If Washington have to pay too much of the contract, they might as well keep him. That might be a lot to try and work out on a trade deadline day.
J.D. McKissic
There are plenty of names in the trade winds, but is there any merit to any of them?
One name mentioned has been J.D. McKissic. The running back has been great catching the ball out of the backfield, and could definitely help a lot of teams down the stretch. He caught eight passes for 83 yards against Denver on the weekend.
Washington is obviously happy with their primary back being Antonio Gibson. They also have Jaret Patterson, who led all backs on Sunday against Denver.
McKissic is a great third down back, and a great backup option for Gibson, but perhaps that’s a luxury that Washington can’t afford right now. Especially when McKissic is a free agent at the end of 2021.
Daron Payne
Daron Payne is another name that has been mentioned in trade talks.
Washington has learned in 2021, that no matter how strong that defensive line is, they need an entire defense. They also have to be able to afford it.
Keeping all four first round picks on the defensive line will just be too costly, once rookie contracts have expired.
Washington exercised the fifth year option on Payne ‘s contract, so he is under contract for 2022, but not beyond that.
Jonathan Allen
All of the above holds true for Jonathan Allen – Washington can’t afford all four first round picks etc. The difference with Allen is that he signed a 4-year, $72 million contract extension this past offseason. His financial future is decided, and that’s often easier to “deal around”. There are no contract extensions or negotiations to contend with.
You better get a day one pick back for either of Payne or Allen though, and that might make a deal difficult.
Sell, Sell, Sell!
At 2-6, only optimism keeps eyes on 2021. The chance of another late season run getting Washington to the playoffs is a pipe dream.
Any move that is fair, and increases future draft stock should be given every consideration.
Having said that, it’s doubtful any deals will be struck.
Washington has few assets and is in an obvious sell-mode. That’s a terrible position to negotiate from.