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As free agency and the draft approaches, I wanted to take a look at the Redskins team needs and how they can be filled.
Below is a list of the Redskins top needs heading into the 2019 calendar year.
QB: The injury to Alex Smith has left the Redskins in a pretty big bind. His salary is still on the books for a few more years, but it’s unlikely he’ll ever play again. Getting a new franchise quarterback is certainly at the top of the list of needs - it’s more a question of this year or next.
The Redskins do not have the money to sign a free agent to be the future of the franchise. The best bet is to use a top pick in the 2019 or 2020 draft for their future signal caller.
Tylers Take: NFL Draft RD 1-RD 3
EDGE: A speed EDGE rusher may be one of the Redskins top needs - especially with the pending departure of Preston Smith. The Redskins have very little behind Pro Bowler Ryan Kerrigan, and need an impact player at the position. Both free agency and the draft are loaded at the position, although the open market for good EDGE rushers can be very expensive.
FA Targets:
Dante Fowler Jr. (25)
Frank Clark (26)
Shane Ray (26)
NFL Draft: In my opinion, the 2019 NFL Draft is where it’s at to get a good, young, inexpensive speed rushing EDGE. If the Redskins do select one in the first round, they would have the ability to exercise the fifth year option on that player.
Tyler’s Take: NFL Draft RD 1- RD 2
Wide Receiver: The Redskins lack of playmakers on the outside is alarming. In fact, I would put the Redskins receivers among the bottom five groups in the entire NFL. To say help is needed is a massive understatement.
Wide receivers tend to be very expensive on the open market, and the Redskins need to be a bit frugal with the cap this year. Here are some players they could target if they choose to go that direction.
FA Targets:
Tyrell Williams (27)
Devin Funchess (25)
Cordarrelle Patterson (28)
NFL Draft: The NFL Draft is loaded at wide receiver after round one. The Redskins could use a player who has the ability to create with the ball in their hands, and there are about 4-5 prospects that could give them just that.
Tyler’s Take: NFL Draft RD 2
Safety: The Redskins have had trouble finding quality safeties since the tragic death of the great Sean Taylor. They released D.J. Swearinger at the end of last season for remarks he made criticizing the defensive coaches. They did make an in-season trade for Packers safety HaHa Clinton-Dix, but he’s set to become a free agent in march, and no reported negotiations have taken place as of this writing.
The free agent safety market has been weak over the last few years. This year, there are some interesting prospects that could be available to the Redskins in FA.
FA Targets:
HaHa Clinton-Dix (26)
Landon Collins (25)
Adrian Amos (26)
Tyrann Mathieu (27)
Tre Boston (27)
Tyler’s Take: Free agency
Guard: Left guard has been a sore spot (pun intended), on the Redskins offensive line for the last few years. Management has tried to fill the position with cheap, injury-prone veterans, and that has not worked very well.
The Free agency market is not that great this year, but there are a few guys who could help if the team chooses to go that direction again.
FA Targets:
Rodger Saffold (31)
A.J. Cann (27)
Billy Turner (27)
NFL Draft: The draft is absolutely loaded at interior offensive line after round one, but especially into the third round. I see 3-4 plug-and-play guards who should be there for one of the Skins third round picks.
Tyler’s Take: NFL Draft RD 3
Other Needs:
TE - Free Agency/Draft
CB - Free Agency
LB - Draft