What to do with Kirk Cousins:
I’ve been on record as saying I really like Kirk Cousins, but also feel like he doesn’t want to be a Redskins long-term. I hope I am wrong with my belief, but even if he does decide he wants to stay in Burgundy and Gold, I’m not in favor of making him the highest paid player in the NFL.
My reasoning behind this is two-fold. First, I don’t think Cousins is an elite QB, capable of putting a team on his shoulders when/if he has lesser talent around him. Second, I don’t think we are in the position to guarantee a huge portion of his deal, as that can negatively effect our salary cap, and can limit adding quality ancillary pieces around him.
My ideal long-term deal would be as follows:
-5 years (with a option for a 6th), $115 million with $42 million signing bonus, and $75 million guaranteed.
If Cousins turns down what I believe is a very fair market deal, I would look to sign a veteran on a two-year deal, and go to the draft for our next signal caller.
2018 Free Agent QB options:
- Alex Smith
- Sam Bradford
- Blaine Gabbert
- Case Keenum
Trade Option:
- Andrew Luck - It’s no secret Luck is not too happy in Indy. A change of scenery may be best for both sides.
2018 NFL Draft Prospects:
- Sam Darnold (USC) - A trade-up would most likely be required.
- Josh Rosen (UCLA) - See above.
- Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) - I don’t care about the height, this kid is just a winner.
- Lamar Jackson (Louisville) - Dynamic athlete playing the quarterback position
- Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma St.) - The most NFL ready quarterback prospect.
- Josh Allen (Wyoming) - His ceiling is amazing.
- Clayton Thornson (Northwestern) - If he decides to enter, I love his potential
- Luke Falk (Wash. St.) - Product of a great system?
- Ryan Finley (NC State) - Accurate and poised as a passer.
- Riley Ferguson (Memphis) - Great physical tools. Will need at least a year to become ready.
What Players Should the Redskins Re-sign?
It’s already being rumored that the Redskins are working on a long-tern deal with linebacker Zach Brown. The wrecking ball who leads the NFL in tackles has been an integral piece to a defense that has suffered injuries all season long. Even though Brown himself is not near 100 percent, he is the best linebacker we’ve seen here since London Fletcher retired.
Here are the Redskins who I believe we need to re-sign:
- Zach Brown - Just get this done!
- Trent Murphy - Murphy was suspended, then injured this season. Still, he is a force when he’s on the field.
- Spencer Long - Gotta get this one done!
- Mason Foster - Even as a reserve, he’s a solid player.
- Ryan Grant - I can’t believe I’m writing this... but offer him a two year deal.
Redskins 2018 Free Agent targets:
The Redskins still need lots of help of both sides of the football. The NFL draft should help greatly, but we need to be active as well in free agency if we want to compete in 2018 and beyond.
Below are some free agents I feel the Redskins should target.
2018 Free Agents Targets:
- Jarvis Landry (WR - Miami) - If he hits the market, we need to be all over him!
- Cody Latimer (WR - Denver) - He’s struggled to make an impact in Denver. A change of scenery could benefit this young receiver.
- Xavier Su’a-Filo (G - Houston) - Big guy who moves very well.
- Star Lotulelei (DT - Carolina) - If the Panthers can’t re-sign him, the Redskins should be all-in!
- Ezekiel Ansah (OLB/DE - Detroit) - The Stafford contract may make Ansah hard to keep. He’s an absolute force off the edge.
Redskins Position of need and NFL Draft Targets:
The draft is the lifeline of any team, and for the Redskins, this draft can be huge in adding some much needed help to a lineup with quite a few holes.
Below are what I feel are our biggest positions of need heading into the 2018 off-season.
Tier 1:
- QB: This one obviously hangs on Kirk Cousins signing a long-term deal. If he does, this is wiped off our needs. If Kirk walks, this is by far our TOP need.
- RB: This HAS to be a top need of the team heading into the draft.
- DT: The injury to rookie Jonathan Allen hurt this team more than anyone could imagine. We need another young stud to pair with Allen, and further help bolster this rotation.
- LB: My hope is we sign Zach Brown to a long-term deal. My other hope is that we draft a young stud to pair with him for the foreseeable future.
- S: I love Montae Nicholson, but he does us no good if he can’t stay healthy.
Tier 2:
- WR: The Terrelle Pryor Sr. experiment was a flop. We need a young stud to pair opposite Josh Doctson - preferably a guy who can stretch the field vertically.
- TE: I have lost all faith in Jordan Reed. Vernon Davis has done a nice job filling in, but he’s not getting any younger.
- G: A quality replacement for Shawn Lauvao would be great.
My Redskins Big Board for the first round:
- Saquon Barkley (RB - PSU): I know, it’s a pipe-dream.
- Sam Darnold (QB - USC): Another pipe-dream.
- Josh Rosen (QB - UCLA): Probably a pipe-dream too.
- Derwin James (S - Florida St.): Instant difference-maker on the back end in the mold of Sean Taylor.
- Christian Wilkins (DT - Clemson): He and Allen would be amazing on our DL.
- Roquan Smith (LB - Georgia): Smith is the best linebacker in the nation.
- Baker Mayfiled (QB - Oklahoma): This kid is a legit playmaker and had done nothing but win.
- Minkah Fitzpatrick (S/CB - Alabama): Huge difference maker in the secondary.
- Lamar Jackson (QB - Louisville): Tremendous athlete playing the QB position. Much better passer than many give him credit for.
- Mason Rudolph (QB - Oklahoma St.): Most pro-ready passer in this class.
- Maurice Hurst (DT - Michigan): A versatile, disruptive defender.
- Ronnie Harrison (S - Alabama): Can play as either a single high, or box safety.
- Josh Allen (QB - Wyoming): Great athlete with a high ceiling. Compares to Carson Wentz.
- Quenton Nelson (G - Notre Dame): Mauler on the interior with ability to pull and get to the second level.
- Rashaan Evans (LB - Alabama): Sideline-to-sideline linebacker who is solid in coverage.
- Vita Vea (DT - Washington): Can play as a 3-4 DE or NT. A bit like Haloti Ngata.
Should the Redskins Replace Jay Gruden?
As most of you know, I have been a supporter of Jay Gruden since he arrived in D.C. Some believe we got the wrong Gruden, while I believe he’s done a good job with the lack of a quality front office.
It is my belief that Jay sometimes bites off more than he can chew, and he may have done that again this season as he took on play-calling duties after the departure of Sean McVay.
Fact is, Jay’s offense works, and the players really seem to like and respect him. The constant carousel of head coaches we have had in D.C. has not yielded good results. We may get a winning season here and there, followed by consecutive losing seasons. Gruden can again end this season with a winning record, and if that feat is accomplished, that will be three years in a row - amidst a slew of injuries to key players this season.
Sometimes the grass is not always greener, and Redskins fans need to look at the big picture before raising their pitch-forks and demanding Gruden be fired. Maybe, just maybe, the team needs to invest in a real General Manager, and continue to bring in drafted talent, while maintaining coaching continuity.