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Ricky Jean-Francois(6'3", 295 lbs, 28 years old) was released by the Indianapolis Colts on Monday after spending two seasons with the team. The Colts signed him to a 4 year, $22 million dollar in 2013 after spending the first four years of his NFL career as a backup/rotational player for the San Francisco 49ers(never played more than 27% of the defensive snaps). He is a versatile player in the 3-4, and is capable of playing all three spots along the defensive line.
With the Colts, Jean-Francois started 23 of the 26 games that he appeared in, recording 54 tackles and 5.5 sacks in two seasons. He played 37.1% of the team's defensive snaps(9.9% ST) in 2013, and 60.6% of the Colts defensive snaps in 2014(15.1% ST). The Colts saved almost $5 million in cap space by releasing Jean-Francois.
Ian Rapoport is reporting that Jean-Francois will be visiting the Redskins and 49ers this week, and he has obvious connections to both teams. He started his career in San Francisco and the GM that drafted him there is now running the Redskins. Jean-Francois has the distinction of being the last draft pick Scot McCloughan made a s the GM of the 49ers. He was selected in the 7th Round(#244 overall) with a compensatory pick.
The Redskins need depth along the defensive line with Kedric Golston an expendable player at this point in his career, and Jarvis Jenkins entering free agency. The Redskins also have a few players who are 30+, overpaid, and oft-injured. Stephen Bowen should be a cap casualty this season due to his high cap number, and Barry Cofield's contract puts him in the discussion as well. Jason Hatcher won't be cut this season, but he also has a high cap number, was injured multiple times this season, and will be 33 this year. Changes should be expected along the line this season.
Former #Colts DL and now FA Ricky Jean-Francois is visiting the #Redskins & #49ers this week, source says
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 25, 2015
