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CBS Sports's Bryan DeArdo argued Dan Quinn and the Washington Commanders need to acquire wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

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 divorcee 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 team appears ready to budge on its position.

Aiyuk could fit with the Commanders offense because of the play-making ability he would provide a unit that entered the draft with only one capable starting receiver. That was Terry McLaurin, who had only 582 receiving yards while playing 10 games last season.

Fellow veteran Deebo Samuel led the Commanders with 72 catches and 727 receiving yards last season. But Samuel remains unsigned in NFL free agency.

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.