From a team-building perspective, it actually makes perfect sense for the Browns to trade Myles Garrett.

They’d have to do some nifty accounting work to even make it happen as Garrett would represent an enormous dead cap hit if traded, but at close to 30 years old, on the verge of wanting a justifiable top-of-market extension, the clearly rebuilding Browns should maximize the value they can get for the perennial All-Pro and trade him this offseason.

That seismic move is baked into this mock draft.

Garrett wants to go a serious contender. Of course he does. He should want to. I have an idea — how about the NFC runner-up Washington Commanders? Young, dynamic quarterback. Defensive-minded coach. Team with loads of cap space to accommodate Garrett’s financial desires. Clear need on the edge. It’s perfect.

Here are the trade parameters:

Commanders get: Myles Garrett, Cleveland’s 2025 fifth-round pick (No. 165)

Browns get: Washington’s 2025 first-round pick (No. 29 overall), its second-round pick (No. 61), and a conditional 2026 third-round pick than can become a second-round pick based on likely-to-be-earned performance escalators.

And after the trade, Cleveland gets creative with how it adds a young and reasonably talented quarterback to the roster.

The draft order below was determined using the current 2025 NFL Draft order.

The Washington Commanders have already shown they have the building blocks of a team that can contend meaningfully for several seasons to come. The next step is rounding out the roster to make it truly Super Bowl-worthy.

Among the team’s likeliest moves toward that end this offseason is adding a second elite wide receiver alongside Terry McLaurin to provide QB Jayden Daniels with the kind of weaponry the other top offenses in the league boast.

Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals is bound for free agency in March and could be an option, though Washington would run the risk of overpaying a borderline elite wideout too much money in order to outbid the competition.

Aaron Rodgers Jets

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (left) and wide receiver Garrett Wilson

pursue the pass-catcher they need via a trade. That would open up the team’s options to a wider field of talent and perhaps allow the Commanders to land on a better fit at a more optimal price. One option is a deal with the New York Jets for Garrett Wilson, which Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report floated on Saturday, February 1.

“An extension for Wilson would undoubtedly be part of the equation here, but the Commanders have more cap space than any team in the NFC ($86.7 million),” Davenport wrote. “It’d be worth surrendering the 29th overall pick to gain a proven wide receiver who would (along with former college teammate Terry McLaurin) give the Commanders one of the better one-two punches at wideout in the league.”

The tension between Wilson and current Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been well publicized, and the future at quarterback in New York is one of the prominent questions of the NFL offseason.

Washington would need to surrender its first-round pick this year and a sixth-rounder in 2026 in Davenport’s proposal, but it would also allow the Commanders to lock up a true No. 1 in Garrett alongside another true No. 1 in McLaurin for years to come.

Garrett has eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving in all three of his professional seasons despite playing almost exclusively with subpar quarterbacks — primarily Zach Wilson and the 41-year-old ghost of Rodgers coming off a serious Achilles injury.

Nobody will ever forget what the Washington Commanders accomplished in 2024. But not everyone provided bang for their buck.

Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters spearheaded an incredible culture shift across the franchise. From the fans to Josh Harris’ ownership group and the players, everyone bought into the long-term project. The results were immediate and impressive in equal measure.

The Commanders went from the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to within one game of the Super Bowl. Quinn masterminded a campaign that saw 14 wins in total — 12 regular-season triumphs and two memorable postseason victories on the road. They eventually fell short in the NFC Championship game to the division rival Philadelphia Eagles, but this does not detract from the franchise’s bright future under the new regime.

Peters’ priority immediately turned to the offseason. The Commanders have 30 free agents, so there’s a good chance things are going to look entirely different next time around. Some will be extended or released ahead of time. Another dramatic few months await before Washington congregates for organized team activities once again.

That’s for the not-too-distant future. For now, here are five Commanders players who robbed the team blind in 2024.

Commanders players who robbed the team blind in 2024

Michael Davis – Commanders CB

The Washington Commanders took a chance on Michael Davis in free agency. Despite underperforming with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023, those in power saw something in the veteran cornerback to give him a one-year, $3.54 million deal with the promise of potential starting involvement if he transitioned smoothly.

Things looked relatively promising for Davis earlier in the summer. He was getting starting reps on the boundary throughout OTAs and training camp. However, something changed that quickly saw him become an afterthought.

Davis was used sparingly throughout the campaign. His production didn’t inspire confidence and he was a healthy scratch on two occasions down the stretch. This forced the Commanders into drastic action, switching second-round rookie Mike Sainristil to the outside and making a bold trade to acquire four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints.

This was a devastating blow to Davis’ chances of firmly establishing himself in Washington. He’s out of contract this offseason and should be moved on with little fanfare attached. Whether he catches on elsewhere remains to be seen, but his NFL prospects are hanging by a thread looking at his recent career trajectory.

One of Dan Quinn’s former defensive tackles for the Cowboys is already being linked to the Washington Commanders.

Osa Odighizuwa was drafted in the third round (75 overall) in the 2021 NFL draft, Dan Quinn’s first year in Dallas as the Cowboys defensive coordinator. Thus, Quinn spent three seasons with Odighizuwa, his first three playing in the NFL.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN mentions Odighizuwa as someone who might want to reconnect with Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. Fowler believes the Commanders could be the team to watch here because Quinn liked Odighizuwa in their three seasons together in Dallas.

Fowler’s latest: Teams we’ve talked to think Odighizuwa is the top defensive tackle because of his versatility, durability and pass-rush traits. Washington is a team to potentially watch — coach Dan Quinn has been big fan of Odighizuwa from their Dallas days together.

Now, of course, the Cowboys are in the driver’s seat for now, having the opportunity to sign their own free agents before the new NFL calendar year begins in March.

Yet, Dan Quinn will undoubtedly be looking to improve the team’s defense, which was weak at times last season and certainly weaker than the offense.

The Commanders currently have big money invested in Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen. Other defensive tackles who saw plenty of action this season were Johnny Newton, Sheldon Day, and Jalyn Holmes. Carl Davis and Phidarian Mathis also saw time inside, but the Commanders released Mathis in December, and he was subsequently picked up by the Jets.

Odighizuwa (6-2, 280) played his college ball at UCLA, started 12 games his rookie Cowboys season, and then all 17 games the following three seasons in Dallas.

Remember, however, one of the concerns for the Cowboys was that their interior defense was too light and that good running teams were pushing them around. On the other hand, Odighizuwa is quick enough, and he gets good pressure inside often.

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The Commanders are aiming to strengthen their defensive line this offseason.

Osa Odighizuwa, 26, has emerged as one of the top interior defensive linemen available in free agency. Last season, he recorded 4.5 sacks and 30 pressures, tying Jets star Quinnen Williams for the second-most among defensive tackles. His ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks has made him a coveted target on the open market.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted Odighizuwa’s rising value, mentioning, “Teams we’ve spoken to view Odighizuwa as the top defensive tackle due to his versatility, durability, and pass-rush traits. Washington is a team to keep an eye on—head coach Dan Quinn has long been a fan of Odighizuwa from their Dallas days.”

Dan Quinn may look to bring Osa Odighizuwa to Washington to bolster the team’s defensive line.
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) reacts to sacking Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (not pictured) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium.
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Odighizuwa has started 63 games since being drafted in the third round of the 2021 draft, recording 13.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss. He played a career-high 860 defensive snaps last season, demonstrating his durability and reliability. While his run defense could use improvement, his ability to rush the passer makes him a valuable asset in passing situations.

With around $90 million in cap space heading into the offseason, Washington is in a solid financial position to make a substantial offer. The Commanders made a surprising run to the NFC Championship Game last season, with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels at the helm, and are focused on improving their defense to stay competitive.

Pro Football Focus ranks Odighizuwa as the top free-agent defensive lineman, estimating he could receive a contract worth four years, $85 million. With the Cowboys needing to prioritize a major extension for Micah Parsons, they might struggle to retain Odighizuwa if the market heats up.

John Buhler of FanSided also pointed out the likelihood of Odighizuwa joining Washington, writing, “The right coach now leads the Cowboys’ former defensive coordinator in Washington. Dan Quinn had the upstart Commanders in the NFC Championship in his first year on the job and now has a chance to land one of the top free agents of 2025.”

If the Cowboys can’t match offers from teams with ample cap space like Washington, they risk losing a key member of their defensive front. On the other hand, the Commanders could capitalize on this opportunity to reunite Odighizuwa with Quinn and fortify their defensive line for another playoff push. As free agency nears, Odighizuwa’s decision will be a focal point.

The last time the Eagles saw Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, he torched the NFL’s No. 1 defense for 258 yards passing and five touchdowns, completing 24 of 39 passes in Washington’s walk-off 36-33 victory at Northwest Stadium in Week 16 on Nov. 22. Jalen Hurts was injured early in that game, but Hurts was not playing defense when Washington came back from 14-0 and 21-7 deficits to score 22 points in the fourth quarter.

Hurts was not on the field when Daniels hit Olamide Zaccheaus and Jamison Crowder for two touchdowns each, when they had entered the game without catching a TD pass all season. It was Eagles’ starters Zack Baun and Reed Blankenship that lost Crowder in the back of the end zone for the game-winning score with six seconds left.

On Sunday in the NFC Championship at 3 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field, the Commanders will be without starting right guard Sam Cosmi, who tore his ACL in the Commanders’ divisional round victory over Detroit last week, leaving open the possibility of Commanders’ coach Dan Quinn doing some offensive line shuffling, possibly moving down right tackle Andrew Wylie to right guard, and moving back-up left tackle Cornelius Lucas in at right guard. The other option is to go with Trent Scott, who played well in place of Cosmi against Detroit over 45 snaps.

Whoever Quinn puts there will have to contend with Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who made the play of the game in the Eagles’ divisional round victory over the Los Angeles Rams with a nine-yard sack on third-and-two at the Eagles’ 13 with less than a minute to play.

The following play Matt Stafford overthrew Puka Nacua after being pressured by Carter up the middle, guaranteeing an NFC Championship for the Eagles. Earlier in the game, it was Carter who punched the ball free from Kyren Williams on a second-and-two at the Rams’ 43 for the first turnover of the game on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Want a good way to stop the streaking Daniels, who has a passer rating of 93.0 with 449 yards, with six touchdowns and three interceptions in his two games against the Eagles, have Carter in his face all day.

“He’s grown,” Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said about Carter this week. “You play as much as he plays and he gets practice, he’s growing, you know. He’s a second-year player. He’s getting a lot of playing time. He should improve.”

And as for Daniels, who has guided an offense that has produced 68 points in two playoff games, while completing 46 of 66 passes for 567 yards and four touchdowns against no interceptions, averaging 8.6 yards a pass, Fangio has high praise. In comparison, Jalen Hurts is 2-0 in the playoffs, producing an offense that has scored 40 points, completing 28 of 41 passes for 259 yards and an average of 6.3 yards a completion.

“[Daniels] is a young quarterback by birth certificate, not by the tape,” Fangio said. “You know, the guy is playing extremely well. You can tell how much they think he’s playing so good-bye the volume of their offense and the things they trust him to do.

He’s come through for them in a big way, and he’s tough to handle.”

The Commanders, even though they run a pass-oriented offense, ran off 73 plays against Detroit and 69 plays against Tampa Bay. In comparison, the Eagles ran off 57 against Green Bay and 61 against Los Angeles. It’s what Commanders’ offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury likes to do.

“You know, he has the added dimension of the gun-run game where he can have design runs for the quarterback or pull it and keep it,” Fangio said. “That adds another level to an offense, and [Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels] he excels at that. I assume he was doing it in college, and it just comes natural to him.”

The Eagles’ defense is producing turnovers, six so far throughout the playoffs, though that hides an eye sore that everyone sees: Both the Packers and the Rams moved the ball up the field pretty easily against the Eagles.

The Eagles have been outgained, 704-640, and surrendered 35 first downs, while getting 32. That is not a good trend, considering how hot Washington is entering the NFC Championship game. Washington outgained the Eagles, 369-338, when the teams met in Week 16.

Fangio has been around the NFL, it seems, since the facemask came into play. He’s seen great players. When asked this week if Daniels was the best rookie quarterback he has seen play, his answer was, “You know, probably, yeah.”

Jayden Daniels is set to attempt something no other rookie quarterback has achieved: winning a conference championship game.

The Washington Commanders’ quarterback will be the sixth rookie QB to start a conference championship. The previous five all went winless, combining for four passing touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio doesn’t see Daniels as a rookie.

“He’s a young quarterback on paper, but not on film,” Fangio said Tuesday, via the team’s official transcript. “The guy is playing extremely well. You can see how much confidence they have in him by the volume of their offense and the things they trust him to do. He’s come through for them in a big way, and he’s hard to defend.”

The 24-year-old entered the NFL with 55 collegiate starts, providing him with plenty of experience to rely on. Since joining the league, he’s shown remarkable poise, played smart with the ball, and knows when to release it quickly or take deeper shots.

Fangio was asked if Daniels could be considered the best rookie QB of all time.

“Yeah, probably,” he responded.

1st QB to lead a team in rushing yards during the regular season and make the playoffs 1st to throw 2+ pass TDs in a road playoff win (Buccaneers) 1st to lead team in both pass and rush yards in a playoff win (Buccaneers) 1st to beat No. 1 scoring offense in the playoffs (Lions) 1st to beat multiple top-five scoring offenses in playoffs (Buccaneers, Lions) 1st to defeat multiple No. 1 overall drafted QBs in playoffs (Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff) 1st to have 300+ offensive yards in multiple playoff games 1st to post a 100+ passer rating in multiple playoff games 1st to win multiple playoff games without a top-three scoring defense Highest passer rating in road games, including playoffs (110.1) Most offensive yards in rookie season, including playoffs (5,113 yds)

What makes Daniels’ run even more impressive is that the previous five rookie quarterbacks to reach a conference championship game all had top-3 scoring defenses to support them. Daniels is succeeding with the 18th-ranked scoring defense. Brock Purdy (2022), Mark Sanchez (2009), and Ben Roethlisberger (2004) all had the No. 1 scoring defense. Joe Flacco (2008) and Shaun King (1999) had the No. 3 scoring defense.

Fangio emphasized the challenge of facing Daniels, noting that regardless of the defensive approach, he has an answer. If defenses rush too aggressively, he can hurt them with his legs; if too passive, he’ll dissect them with his arm.

“Yeah, it’s a delicate balance,” the DC said. “If you rush too softly, he’ll have all day. So we need to do a good job rushing with four or five and ensure we don’t give him extra time.”

Regardless of how the game turns out, one thing is clear: The moment will not overwhelm Daniels. He’s a rookie in name only.