The Washington Commanders boosted their offense with Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. That was the second pick head coach Dan Quinn and the Commanders made in this year’s draft.
Yet, the team could still use more pass-catchers to help young quarterback Jayden Daniels.
With that in mind, CBS Sports’s Bryan DeArdo named the Commanders acquiring San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk as one of his 10 post-NFL Draft moves that should happen around the league.
“A few nuggets were unearthed during the final day of the draft. General manager John Lynch said that the team isn’t planning to release him. They remain open to trading him. The Commanders reportedly have a significant interest in acquiring Aiyuk, who was one of the NFL’s most productive wideouts during the 2022 and ’23 seasons,” wrote DeArdo.
“The Commanders know that the 49ers don’t have much leverage and are likely waiting for San Francisco to release him. The 49ers surely know Washington wants Aiyuk to pair with his former college teammate Jayden Daniels.”
Dan Quinn, Commanders Encouraged to Add WR Brandon Aiyuk
It makes sense for San Francisco to present the front that it won’t release Aiyuk. That maximizes the team’s chances of landing something in return for the former All-Pro wideout.
But DeArdo also argued an Aiyuk-49ers divorce is inevitable. With that likely the case, the Commanders have little incentive to offer competitive compensation for the receiver.
In conclusion, it might still be awhile before a move is made. Neither the 49ers nor Commanders appear ready to budge on its position.
Aiyuk could fit with the Commanders offense because of the play-making ability he could provide. Washington really only has one of those types of receivers on their roster. That’s Terry McLaurin, who had just 582 receiving yards while playing 10 games last season.
Fellow veteran Deebo Samuel led the Commanders with 72 catches and 727 receiving yards in 2025. But Samuel remains
unsigned in NFL free agency.
Aiyuk missed all of the 2025 NFL season after he torn his right ACL and MCL in October 2024. During his last full season in 2023, Aiyuk had 75 catches, 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
Commanders WR Depth After 2026 NFL Draft
Washington doesn’t have many proven commodities behind McLaurin on the wide receiver depth chart.
Obviously, the team just added Williams in the third round, but he has no NFL experience. Entering the draft, Treylon Burks and Luke McCaffrey were projected to be the team’s other top receivers.
The Tennessee Titans selected Burks at No. 18 overall in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. But Burks has never lived up to his first-round expectations.
Last season with Washington, Burks had 10 catches for 130 yards in eight games.
A former 2024 third-round pick, McCaffrey registered only a little more production than Burks last year. Over nine contests, McCaffrey produced 11 catches for 203 yards for the Commanders. The two receivers combined for four touchdowns.
Those two receivers potentially being WR2 and WR3 options in Washington is why pundits continue to mention Aiyuk as a target for the Commanders.
This offseason, Washington added veteran wideouts Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson. Neither one, though, should be considered viable starter options next season.
The Commanders also have Nick Nash, Jaylin Lane, Jacoby Jones and Ja’Corey Brooks on their offseason roster at receiver.
Williams, the team’s third-round pick, had 208 catches, 2,336 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns in 43 games at Clemson. The 2024 season was his best statistical college season. He had 75 receptions, 904 receiving yards and 11 scores that year.
Commanders Again Urged to Acquire $120 Million Playmaker