The Commanders appear primed and ready to lock in their position as “sellers” at the NFL trade deadline — barring a Week 8 upset. After an up-and-down 3-4 start to the season, Washington is facing a make-or-break matchup with the 6-1 Eagles, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
If the Commanders were to win against Philly, they'd be in a position to make a push for the playoffs. But a loss on Sunday could "leave them as potentially looking to unload players as soon as Monday morning," per Schefter. The focus would then reportedly shift to the defensive line, as names like Chase Young and Montez Sweat, and Schefter reported that at least one team has already reached out about the latter.
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Sweat, the former No. 26 pick in the 2019 NFL draft, has played in 66 games for the Commanders, totaling 192 combined tackles, 45 for loss and 34.5 sacks. Through the first seven games of the 2023 season, Sweat already has 5.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss.
As for Young, the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, he's had a tough time staying on the field after being named the 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Young posted 7.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss that season but played in just 12 combined games between 2021 and '22. He's returned to form this season, totaling five sacks and six tackles for loss in six games.
