Redskins HC Jay Gruden speaks at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine

Kirk Cousins:

“I think we played this tag game for a couple years, and it’s time to get some stability at our position. The most important position in football, and that’s quarterback.”

Stability at QB:

Jordan Reed:

A banger at Running back:

“We’ve got to get Chris Thompson back healthy and then we obviously have to get some running backs in here that can play 16 games somehow. We’ve got some backs in house that we feel good about. But we might have to add another piece to come in here and compete for that job.”

“I think a first-second down banger, we have Samaje and Rob Kelley, maybe another one in there to compete in that role on second down and maybe an all-purpose guy would be nice. Returner? I don’t know, there are a lot of options. But whoever it is, we intend on giving them a great opportunity to compete for a lot of carries.”

More juice at Wide Receiver:

Cornerback depth:

Stopping the run:

“There’s a lot of reasons for the downfall of the run, but at the end of the day we have guys that should be able to step in here and play the run better. Safeties, linebackers, corners might have to crack plays and make tackles, which we didn’t do a great job of from time to time. It’s not just on Jonathan Allen’s position, it’s on the entire defense to stop the run.

“Greg Manusky is well aware of that—he’s been told many, many times by many, many people that we have to be better at stopping the run. Having Jonathan Allen back will be a huge plus for us, adding another piece in there will be very beneficial. We have to address the middle linebacker position with Zach Brown being a free agent, Will Compton being a free agent. But we’ll get that done.”

Offensive line:

“I am a big, firm believe in offensive line play. And we obviously got blown up last year with the injuries. But I think if everyone is healthy, we have a very good offensive line with Trent and Morgan and Ty Nsekhe at tackle and T.J. Clemmings and at guard – we have to address the left guard – but Arie [Kouandjio] came in and did some good things and obviously Brandon Scherff. And I feel really good about Chase Roullier’s performance there.”

“We’ll see where we are with Shawn Lauvao. But like I said, Arie Kouandjio got some time in there and Tony Bergstrom got some time in there, Chase Roullier could probably play left guard if need be, so we have a few positions of need that we have to address. And then the tackle position, we just have to get those guys healthy.”

Redskins need to improve this season:

Montae Nicholson:

“Montae, I really think, is an important piece. Very similar to the way Jordan Reed is on offense, Montae is on defense. He can cover so much ground, he makes all the defensive backs a little more comfortable and take a little bit more chances because he’s back there roaming. So we need him back there.”

D.J. Swearinger:

“I think when we have a defined role for him, I think he’ll be much better and much more comfortable. But having to play free, strong, make all the calls, I think we put a little bit too much on his plate. Not that he couldn’t handle it, but I’d like to try to identify his role a little more clear this year instead of having him move around.”

Trading Su’a Cravens:

Alex Smith’s contract = more money for free agency: