Daron Payne’s foot injury should push the Washington Commanders to take a harder look at moving veterans before the upcoming NFL trade deadline.

Payne suffered a significant foot injury during Friday’s practice. He is expected to land on injured reserve and could miss the remainder of the season, potentially ending the pending free agent’s trade market.

At 1-4-1, Washington should explore moving other veterans before the November 10 NFL trade deadline. General manager Adam Peters must balance acquiring draft capital with protecting quarterback Jayden Daniels’ development.

These two proposed trades offer reasonable starting points for negotiations. Neither represents a reported agreement or an established asking price.

1. Trade Stefon Diggs to the Kansas City Chiefs

The Commanders should target a 2027 fifth-round pick from the Kansas City Chiefs for wide receiver Stefon Diggs, while offering to convert some remaining salary into a bonus before completing the trade.

Diggs has 24 catches for 214 yards and four touchdowns through five appearances. His 8.9 yards per reception suggests Kansas City should value his production without paying for the explosive numbers associated with his earlier seasons.

For the Chiefs, the proposed investment would give quarterback Patrick Mahomes another experienced option underneath and near the goal line. Washington’s willingness to reduce the financial burden would make the package more appealing.

Diggs’ expiring contract makes him a short-term addition, which should keep Washington’s expectations for a trade return grounded. A fifth-round pick with salary assistance represents a defensible negotiating target.

The strongest argument for keeping him involves Daniels. With Terry McLaurin out for the season, the Commanders cannot dismiss the consequences of removing another established receiver.

Peters should demand meaningful compensation and identify how the remaining receivers would absorb Diggs’ opportunities. Rookie Antonio Williams deserves development work, but increased responsibility should accompany a credible offensive plan. A negligible pick swap would not justify further weakening Daniels’ supporting cast.

2. Trade K’Lavon Chaisson to the Detroit Lions

Washington should propose sending edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson to the Detroit Lions for a 2027 fifth-round pick that becomes a fourth if he plays at least 50% of Detroit’s remaining regular-season defensive snaps.

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That suggested condition would reward the Commanders if Chaisson earns substantial playing time while limiting Detroit’s draft cost if he remains a rotational contributor. Chaisson has 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles through six games. He also produced 7.5 regular-season sacks with the New England Patriots in 2025.

The Lions could deploy him alongside Aidan Hutchinson in passing situations while spreading snaps across their edge rotation. Additional depth would provide another option if injuries or fatigue reduced Detroit’s available pass rushers.

Chaisson’s one-year contract also gives Washington a reason to evaluate offers now. Any future compensatory selection would depend on the offseason’s qualifying free-agent activity.

Peters should consider converting some remaining salary into a bonus before the trade if doing so improves the return enough to justify the expense.

Neither deal would replace Payne’s interior production. Both would convert expiring contracts into potential help for 2027. Washington should pursue those returns while preserving younger building blocks and maintaining enough offensive support to keep Daniels’ development moving forward.