Carson Wentz Traded to Washington! Grades & Analysis

 Just a day after the breaking news of all breaking news with Russell Wilson getting traded to Washington, yet another QB domino has fallen with Wentz suddenly heading to Washington. With Aaron Rodgers re-upping in Green Bay, Wilson heading to Denver, and now Wentz heading to Washington, we are nearly halfway through answering all of the QB questions of the off-season. Let's break down this deal from both sides and talk about where it leaves both teams.

The Trade

Colts receive:
-2022 second round pick (42nd overall)
-2022 third round pick (73rd overall)
-2023 conditional third rounder (that could turn into a 2nd if Wentz plays more than 70% of snaps)

Commanders receive:
-QB Carson Wentz
-2022 second round pick (47th overall)

Commanders - B+

I actually love this deal for Washington. While some are pretty low on Carson Wentz, I think he's a lot better than he's given credit for. Sure, this grade isn't an A because they weren't able to bring in a guy like Russell Wilson who they definitely wanted, but Wentz is a pretty good consolation. For nothing close to the amount they'd have to give up for Wilson or Deshaun Watson, they get a guy who is going to elevate their team's success greatly. People seem to forget that Wentz threw 27 TDs to just 7 picks last year and people only remember his only awful game which was against the Jags to end the season.

Another thing you have to consider here is that Wentz is suddenly going to have the best receiver he's played with during his career. He's never had a true no. 1 WR and yet we've still seen him succeed. With Terry McLaurin in the fold, Wentz is going to have his true, go-to, no. 1 WR. Let's also not forget that to get a potential top 10 QB, Washington DID NOT have to give up the #11 pick in the draft which they can turn around and use on a premier rookie WR. In my mock draft yesterday I gave them stud USC wideout Drake London who would give Wentz a second amazing target to go to. Ron Rivera knows what hasn't worked in the past with Wentz and he's going to do everything he can avoid repeating those same mistakes. With McLaurin and a potential top rookie receiver, Carson is set up for success.

Washington gave up some decent mid-round picks, but this deal makes them an instant playoff contender and puts them in real conversation for being the best team in their division. Around Wentz he's got McLaurin (and again, maybe a top rookie), 1,000 yard rusher Antonio Gibson, top 5-7 TE Logan Thomas (who catches everything), a decent OL, and a stout, top tier defense behind him. Washington will now be Wentz' third team, and I think this is his best situation yet. I'm really excited about this move for the Commanders and believe they will return to the post-season this year.

Colts - B

Some might be shocked to see that I think Washington won this trade, but think about it. I think the Colts gave up on Wentz way too early, especially when the QBs on the market this off-season are so poor. Who do they think they are going to move on to? Jimmy G. He's worse. Jameis Winston, a complete shot in the dark. They don't have a high enough first for a rookie. Mitch Trubisky feels like a mistake. I don't know what they thought they were going to do here. Wentz was decently good for them this past season, they gave up WAY too fast.

All of that being said, while I don't like them giving up Wentz if they want to contend this year, they got a good return for him. Two second rounders and a third. They can get some great young talent with those picks, but again, who is going to replace Wentz? The Colts should have kept him and worked to add a stud receiver talent. Their defense is top 5 and so is their OL. All they needed was another good wideout or two and this team really could have taken flight. You can't forget about Jonathan Taylor at RB either who is the best RB in football right now. I just don't think this move made a lot of sense given the fact that they are almost surely going to downgrade at QB and just as easily could have gotten a good WR to try and make Wentz work. They gave up too fast, and while the compensation for their team was good, it's going to set them back at least a year. They were looking for a scapegoat it feels like, and now Wentz is onto greener grass.