Adam Peters understood the assignment, accepted the acquisition cost and swallowed the philosophical sting.
Some part of the Washington Commanders general manager must loathe what he’s become. Monday’s massive trade for left tackle Laremy Tunsil is the third significant deal Peters has executed in four months. The Commanders gave up meaningful assets — third- and seventh-round selections in 2025, plus second- and fourth-rounders in 2026 — for the five-time Pro Bowl lineman and a 2025 fourth-round pick.
Washington went from holding nine 2025 picks in November to five six weeks before the draft. These are choices contenders must make.
Peters, who began scouting in 2003, entered the league by evaluating young players. He spent years on the road for the New England Patriots and Broncos before being promoted to Denver’s director of college scouting in 2016. Peters moved up the front-office depth chart with the San Francisco 49ers, his final stop before joining the Commanders.
The first-time general manager had a mess to fix upon arriving in January 2024. Asked about his approach for upgrading the roster at his introductory news conference, Peters spoke of the 49ers’ success in free agency and the draft.
“Ultimately, we’re going to build through the draft and supplement through free agency,” Peters said.
Washington was judicious in free agency and made nine picks last year. Selecting quarterback Jayden Daniels No. 2 overall gave the Commanders a blue-chip prospect at the sport’s most important position. At that stage 11 months ago, Peters excitedly awaited the opportunity to further assemble the roster core with another infusion of young talent.
Then came last season’s stunning 7-2 start with Daniels soaring among the elite quarterbacks. Washington’s 12-win regular season and playoff run to the NFC Championship Game raised expectations and led to outside calls for all sorts of acquisitions this cycle. The Commanders had significant salary-cap space to tackle three primary needs: offensive playmaker, edge defender and tackle.
Outside hypothetical proposals where Washington sent out significant draft capital for pass rushers Trey Hendrickson and Myles Garrett suggested this team was a star player away from glory. Those pining for a headliner receiver largely missed the mark regarding asset allocation (All-Pro Terry McLaurin is poised for an enormous extension).
But protecting Daniels is logical, regardless of the circumstances.
During a recent video conference call with reporters, NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah addressed Washington’s potential shopping binge. “Kind of always use the analogy of you have to shop at the hardware store before you go to the toy store,” Jeremiah said.
The Commanders agreed and hammered out a deal for an offensive anchor. The Tunsil trade turned a relatively quiet Monday — the Commanders re-signed punter Tress Way and agreed to a three-year deal with defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw for reportedly $45 million ($30 million guaranteed) — into a show.
Over his last three seasons, Tunsil ranks second (out of 44 left tackles) with a 3.1 percent pressure rate allowed (minimum 400 pass-blocking snaps). He turns 31 in August but has been a durable player, except for a 2021 thumb injury that cost him most of the season. Washington now has a left tackle to combat NFC East pass rushers Micah Parsons and Brian Burns and the Philadelphia Eagles’ entire defensive front.
“No doubt an upgrade, and (Tunsil) is far better than the left tackles signed in this market,” said a high-ranking personnel executive with another team.
The Commanders have a unique two-year window with Daniels playing on a value contract before becoming eligible for a generational extension in 2026. This is considered pressure or an opportunity, depending on one’s half-glass perspective.
Here’s the problem: The 2025 free-agent market lacked standouts at tackle and several other positions. Even if Peters was willing to spend more on free agents than the team did last year, overpaying because you can isn’t how winners are built.
Trade costs — picks and salary — are a double whammy. They also could land the specific help Washington’s top talent evaluator desires.
Peters addressed an immediate hole and long-term weakness at the 2024 trade deadline by shipping picks, including 2025 third- and fourth-rounders, for New Orleans Saints four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Washington’s need for offensive playmakers this offseason led Peters to move a fifth-round pick for wide receiver Deebo Samuel, a player drafted during Peters’ time in San Francisco.
Collectively, the three deals removed assets from a GM known for his drafting prowess. Some acquired picks were re-routed in subsequent trades, but the net result is as follows:
Sent: Two third-round picks and a fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh in 2025, plus 2026 second- and fourth-rounders.
Received: 2025 fourth-rounder, Lattimore, Samuel and Tunsil.
That’s a significant number of picks leaving town. Premium position players don’t come cheap. The overall cost includes pricey contracts totalling $53.6 million in 2025 salaries and the roster’s third-, fourth- and fifth-highest salary-cap charges, according to Over the Cap.
Tunsil’s contract consists of the fourth-highest salary-cap hit among left tackles for 2025 and the second-highest cash outlay ($21.4 million). That remains a solid value for the next two years. Extending Tunsil could alter that assessment.
League sources who spoke with The Athletic predominantly stated that the trade was expensive but understandable for Washington. Potential free agents, including Baltimore Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley ($20 million average annual value over three years), flocked back to their teams before other interested organizations could openly discuss deals during Monday’s legal tampering period. The talent drop after Stanley and the high cost for pedestrian tackles (see Dan Moore) would scare even the most daring thrill-seeker.
Peters and coach Dan Quinn’s responses to whether last year’s primary left tackle, 2024 third-round pick Brandon Coleman, would keep the job were lukewarm. Coleman’s potential is intriguing. The reality is that he was among the league leaders with 10 sacks allowed. Waiting for the draft would put Washington into a need-based first-round dilemma.
Then, out of nowhere, came Tunsil. Peters and crew read the room correctly. The broad plan is to find ways to help the team, but nothing is more important than assisting Daniels. Whether Coleman moves to right tackle or guard, the hulking lineman’s chances of thriving increased. Washington could have four above-average starters along the offensive line by 2026, if not sooner. If actualized, that’s a remarkable feat considering the line Peters and Quinn inherited.
Tunsil doesn’t come without risk. The 2024 season wasn’t his best. The 13th selection in the 2016 draft led all players, regardless of position, with 17 penalties — 12 false starts. Houston’s line play led to quarterback C.J. Stroud facing constant pressure. While a consistent high-rated pass protector, his 79 percent win rate in run blocking, per ESPN’s metrics, ranked 39th among tackles last season.
The Commanders can now focus on finding pass rush help to pair with a yet-to-be-determined rookie. Tunsil isn’t a dominant road grader, but the 6-foot-5, 313-pounder will boost the run game while taking pressure off Daniels to carry the ground attack.
They must replace safety Jeremy Chinn’s power and wide receiver Dyami Brown’s speed. Depth is needed everywhere. Free agency offers the chance to fill these and other needs. But the draft is how Peters wants to build.
Washington traded away several picks but not its 2025 first- and second-rounders. Perhaps Peters declared those premium selections off-limits in player trades. He still wants that draft-day rush. Washington could trade down in the first round to acquire more picks. A true optimist would note that sticking with five, plus the nine from 2024, averages out to a standard seven over the last two years.
Peters made significant, supplemental additions. Trading for Lattimore, Samuel and Tunsil was understandable based on position, player and circumstance. Gaining a left tackle for a star quarterback needs no explanation. Peters did what was necessary for Daniels and the team, brushing aside any hurt to his roster-building soul.
(Photo: Matt Patterson / Associated Press)
