FanPost

Trent Williams for Jadeveon Clowney - Only under one condition...

This rumored possibility is not new by now as I’ve wanted to allow this proposed trade to settle a little bit before commenting, but I do believe this exchange of superstars could be beneficial for the Redskins under one condition: Ryan Kerrigan must also be included in the swap. Before everyone riots in disbelief and disagreement with my suggestion, let me preface this proposal by first saying I know, I get it, I understand how Ryan is perceived both inside the organization and outside the building to the fans. Ryan Kerrigan is the prodigal son of the team. He’s has the beautiful brown hair, perfect clean skin, great white smile, and more importantly, he’s been steadily productive since being drafted.

He is not a JJ Watt, and he hasn’t been anything close, but in Ryan’s defense he has been (perhaps even quietly) a decently successful player for the Redskins. Hence why he actually has some trade value for the team to leverage now before it’s too late. Because before we know it his contract will be expiring and the public will inherently apply pressure on management to resign him past his prime years and not at a cheap price. In result, the franchise will essentially handcuff itself to an aging player out of loyalty, which we have done many times before to our own team’s detriment.

Instead though, before we get to that inevitable crossroad, I propose packaging Ryan in a trade with Trent for Clowney and draft picks. The Texans may think, or be convinced, that a player-for-player swap between Trent & Jadeveon is an equal exchange, but they actually think that the Redskins should include more players and/or draft picks because they perceive Clowney to be the better value. Since there is no point acquiring Jadeveon with both Kerrigan and Sweat also on the roster, something is naturally going to have to give.

Instead of benching Sweat and trying to sell it to the media & fans as a smart tactic that adds depth to the defense at that position, which the team will try to sell to us as an advantage that gives everyone fresher legs longer into the season, the wiser approach in my opinion would be to trade the aging (and yes, still productive) player before he’s aged too far and been unproductive for too long to the extent where his trade value is obsolete. Packaging Ryan in a deal will ensure Sweat’s development is not stunted by being pushed down the depth chart with the arrival of Clowney, because obviously the team knows they can’t bench Ryan for Clowney (see prodigal son comment above), and will also allow the team to be proactive for once by obtaining a return on one of their better players at the perfect window right before that player loses said perceived value. This will also save the team from being subject to the pressure that the media and fans will undoubtedly apply to them when it comes to time to inquire on what their plans are for Ryan Kerrigan’s expiring contract situation.

Packaging Trent & Ryan for Clowney will allow the Texans to believe that they are not only acquiring a player at a position they need at OT, but it will also give them the additional belief that they are simultaneously filling the hole that Clowney’s departure creates from their starting lineup. In return, the Redskins will have more leverage in the trade to demand higher draft picks in the exchange, which will let us do what we should be doing in the first place, building for the future. The advantage in this proposed trade though is that the Redskins also get to grab a young OLB who is just now maturing into his prime.

Sure Jadeveon’s contract is expiring, but he’s the kind of talent that you want to lock up longterm. Imagine having Clowney on that defensive line opposite of the young Sweat, now that is a duo worth watching in my opinion.