So while it still stings, it is the "offseason" now even though the playoffs are still in full swing. I have kept away from as much RG3 knee news as possible but it is everywhere and impossible to completely ignore. So let's try and move forward a tad and figure out what the Redskins should look for in free agency and the draft. Not all of the college players have declared that they are staying or going yet, but at the same time this type of thing will be written about until free agency starts. The Redskins do need to upgrade the offensive line a touch, re-sign some players, and fix the secondary. I would also like to see them upgrade the special teams with a new return man but we shall see.
Trent Williams had a solid season. He lived up to his top of the first round selection and made a pro bowl while he was at it. Left tackle is solid. I do see a problem with Polumbus. Griffin's mobility made the offensive line look good at times but they really do need to upgrade the right tackle spot. Let's not kid anyone, Jamaal Brown isn't the answer and Polumbus is a solid back up. Not having a first round pick does make filling this spot difficult. A second round pick would be perfectly spent on a right tackle, but they don't have that luxury this year. A Jon Jansen type of guy would work great (second round pick). I figure them to look towards free agency to upgrade the tackle position. Now I can't look at possible free agent signing with any sort of cap implications, simply because I am not a cap analyst. However, a few free agents that catch my eye are:
Paul Loadhold, Minnesota Vikings
Sebastian Vollmer, New England Patriots
Winston Justice, Indianapolis Colts
I would add Ryan Clady, but I do know there's no chance of us being able to grab him. Loadhold helped lead Adrian Peterson to the 2nd highest rushing yards in a season in league history. He would help keep Alfred Morris rolling and Griffin upright. Vollmer has helped keep Tom Brady's jersey clean for much of the last 4 seasons. Winston Justice has 42 games in the last 4 seasons and has experience playing in the NFC east.
Secondary definitely needs the most work done before training camp. Cedric Griffin is a free agent and who knows how much of his season was due to what he was taking. While he was solid, I would rather keep watching Richard Crawford grow. DeAngelo Hall could become a cap casualty, although he has voiced that he is willing to renegotiate his deal. So at thie point Josh Wilson is the only guaranteed player to return (of major contribution). Madieu Williams most likely won't be coming back (or at least I hope not) and Brandon Meriweather is also a free agent. Reed Doughty has started most the year, but we all know he is a back up and special teams player at most. Dejon Gomes had some good plays and bad but is still only finishing up his second season. The second round pick has to be a defensive back of some kind. I would personally draft a cornerback. Xavier Rhodes is a guy who has been rumored to go all over the second round and I think would be a good fit for this defense. Nickell Roby is another corner that could be a solid pick in the second round. If they decide to go safety, Eric Reid, LSU, and Baccari Rambo, Georgia, are two solid players to go after. With LaRon Landry not entirely working out, they could lay off of an LSU secondary players for a good while. A few potential free agents are:
Aqib Talib, New England Patriots
Antoine Cason, San Diego Chargers
Sean Smith, Miami Dolphins
Adam Jones, Cincinatti Bengals
Ok don't judge me here, yes I did put Pacman on here but with good reason. While we need a starting CB, he would be a solid nickel corner. He has matured and could help develop Crawford as a player. He can also platoon as a punt returner with Crawford as he carried an 11.6 yards per return and an TD. Aqib Talib is another player with some baggage but is a playmaking machine. He has 19 interceptions in 64 games (over 5 seasons) along with 4 TDs. He will only be 27 when the season starts and could be worth the risk due to his relationship with Raheem Morris. Antoine Cason is another player entering his prime that could benefit the secondary. While he and Talib have both played 5 seasons, Cason has played in all 80 games. He only has 12 interceptions but he has a good head on his shoulders and stays on the field. Sean Smith will most likely be re-signed by Miami, but if the Redskins can get him he would be a prized catch. He is big (6'3) and through 4 seasons has only missed one game. While he doesn't intercept a lot of balls, he was on a defense who only surrendered 30 points twice and held the pass happy patriots to 28 and 23 points respectively (both losses). The cornerback free agent market is deep and the Redskins need to make a play.
Safeties are also a huge need. In my opinion, DeAngelo Hall should be moved to the free safety spot as a stop gap and a way to save some cap space. Hall can rework his deal and that gives the Redskins one less spot to plug in the offseason. Also I would re-sign Meriweather. In the 2 quarters that he played he was a major difference maker. Tanard Jackson won't be in the teams plans (since he can't play until after the preseason) and we can't go with Doughty again starting at SS. With moving Hall to free safety the team can find a solid back up to both safety spots and potentially draft the starter at free for 2014. A few solid back ups are:
Jim Leonhard, Denver Broncos
Pat Chung, New England Patriots
Ryan Mundy, Pittsburgh Steelers
While all three are primarily free safeties, Hall at free isn't necessarily a lock. With all three of these former starters now playing back up, they would be much cheaper if the Redskins don't move Hall. Leonhard isn't prototypical but can be a return man and is a solid deep man. Chung lost his spot to McCourty, but still receives major playing time in the Patriots secondary. Mundy starts for the Steelers when Clark is out and still gets some decent playing time. Mundy has been in the league for 4 seasons and will only be 28 when the season starts. He is a big hitter, as we saw the hit to Heyward-Bey this year, and could really add some solid play to the back half of the field.
As I mentioned earlier, kick/punt returning is something the Redskins need to upgrade. I mentioned Adam Jones as a possibility as a punt returner and Richard Crawford needs more reps. At kick return, we can't expect Niles Paul to excel at tight end and still be the return man. Paul needs to add size and that will slow him down a bit. We don't see the Patriots using Aaron Hernandez at kick return and we shouldn't expect Paul to still continue these duties. I may be bias but Denard Robinson would be a solid draft pick. He is slated to go in the 5th round or so and could fill the return man need along with a solid option to put in the backfield with RG3. Robinson has blazing speed and consistently makes people miss. He would be a solid option as kick returner and maybe even punt returner. We aren't going out to sign Devin Hester any time soon and these players generally are late round gems. His lack of wide receiver skills makes him a project, but he is atleast over 6 feet tall (unlike Brandon Banks) and can be an emergency third string QB (frees a roster spot).
The Redskins off season will be a very interesting roller coaster. Griffin's knee surgery is over and will be the topic of conversation until he sees the field again, but the free agent moves and draft picks that the team makes will be key. 10-6 will be hard to come by based on next years opponents, but the defense and offensive line must be solidified. The team needs more playmakers all over the field and a few key pick ups can solve that instantly. Let's hope the team keeps with its conservative spending on solid veterans and doesn't blow all of the money on one player.
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