Commanders trade proposal sends $19 million defender to Washington

If the 30-23 Week 6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens taught us anything, it's that the Washington Commanders could use more help on defense if they want to run with the best teams in the NFL. Making Washington's issue on that side of the ball more troublesome is the season-ending injury to Jonathan Allen.

While acquiring some help upfront has moved to the top of the list of needs for the Commanders, they could also use reinforcements in the secondary at cornerback.

With that in mind, CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin recently suggested a trade between the New England Patriots and Commanders that sends cornerback Jonathan Jones to Washington for a 2025 sixth-round pick.

While Jones is easily the Patriots' most accomplished cornerback, new coach Jerod Mayo acknowledged recently that New England is just beginning a multi-year rebuild. At 31, approaching 2025 free agency, Jones therefore makes for a logical trade chip. While he's been more solid than spectacular for years, his experience could be invaluable to Washington, which has a potential playoff contender thanks to rookie Jayden Daniels but has struggled mightily on the back end of Dan Quinn's defense.

We already know the Patriots are cooked this season, so Jones, who is in the final year of a two-year, $19 million deal, is very much a candidate to be moved.

The 31-year-old isn't off to a great start in 2024, surrendering a completion rate of 66.7% and a passer rating of 131.9, so Jones is far from guaranteed to provide an upgrade.

But he is coming off two seasons in which he allowed completion rates of 52.7% and 57.1%, and passer ratings of 73.0 and 94.0. He's clearly capable of more and perhaps a change of scenery to a contending team will bring out the best in him.

If nothing else, Jones offers some depth in a cornerbacks room that could use it, and he has a wealth of experience as a two-time Super Bowl champ.

The Commanders could do better in their quest to upgrade the secondary, but they could do a lot worse, also. If all else fails, it would be worth bringing Jones in.