With $26 million in salary cap space and a list of roster needs, the Washington Redskins will enter the 2015 NFL free-agency period looking to add at least one “big name” player and perhaps a few smaller names as well. The Redskins have their most crucial needs at safety, right tackle, right guard and defensive tackle/end. New Redskins GM Scot McCloughan has already stated he wants to build the roster through the draft, but in order to properly develop some of that drafted talent, McCloughan will have to find a handful of free-agents to fill certain positions in the meantime.
It’s important for all fans of the Redskins to understand and realize that the media and player agents will attempt to tie the Redskins to every single “big name.” Don’t pay these “reports” much attention as it’s a known fact that agents and players themselves have used the Redskins regularly over the last 10-15 years in an attempt to drive their asking prices up. Ever since Bruce Allen has been the one controlling the checkbook, this process still occurs, but the thing is the Redskins haven’t shown much interest in the “big names” in recent years.
The last “big name” (huge money deal) Redskins free agent signing was Albert Haynesworth in 2009. That was a Vinny Cerrato move that turned sour when Mike Shanahan announced the team was shifting to a 3-4 defense, a process which effectively turned Haynesworth into a lazy, cap-dollar stealing waste of time. A move of such epic failure like the Haynesworth deal is something for all front offices in the NFL to learn from, but it can’t define a franchise that has to make million dollar decisions every year on players in order to be relevant. You learn from it and move on, don’t let the mistakes define you. The good part about that is it appears the franchise learned from their mistake and haven’t repeated it since. Free-agency is a crap shoot of sorts, and you can’t do well if you’re scared of failing. That being said, below is a list of current free agents the Redskins may pursue:
– Devin McCourty, 27, Safety (5-10, 195 lbs) – Patriots: The Patriots are having issues with getting under the salary cap this year and McCourty appears to be heading for the open market barring any last-minute efforts by the Pats. If McCourty is indeed available, the Redskins should take a long look as safety has been an area of need for the team for seven long years. The draft looks thin at safety with Alabama’s Landon Collins leading the way. Signing McCourty would open the Redskins options up more come draft day.
– Mike Iupati, 27, Guard (6-5, 331 lbs) – 49ers: The bidding may get too steep for Iupati, who has been the 49ers starting left guard since 2010. In 2012 he was named to the NFL All-Pro team and has been named to the Pro Bowl the last three years. This is where the Redskins should start free agency, but should also NOT overpay to gain Iupati’s services. Signing Iupati would give the team a solid upgrade and the chance to dump Chris Chester while saving nearly $4 million in cap-dollars in the process.
– Dan Williams, 27, Defensive Tackle (6-2, 327 lbs) – Cardinals: The former first-round pick out of Tennessee has spent his entire 5-year career with the Cardinals. Williams has totaled 156 tackles, two sacks, and one pick-six during his career. The Redskins have already been linked to Williams.
– Orlando Franklin, 27, Offensive Guard/Tackle (6-7, 320 lbs) – Broncos: Franklin has only missed one game in his four-year career with the Denver Broncos and can play both guard and tackle. The former second-round pick would bolster the Redskins line immediately, but he has several teams that are interested so his price could get expensive.
– Stefen Wisniewski, 25, Guard/Center (6-3, 315 lbs) – Raiders: Wisniewski has only missed three games in four years while playing both center and guard for the Oakland Raiders. He would give the Redskins options/versatility along the offensive line.
– Rahim Moore, Safety (6-1, 195 lbs) – Broncos: Moore would be a great pick-up as long as he isn’t trying to break the bank.
– Doug Free, Right Tackle (6-6, 325 lbs) – Cowboys: Free has a good relationship with new offensive line coach Bill Callahan and would be a decent stop-gap player until the Redskins can groom someone else to take the starting role.
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