Redskins’ 2014 Free Agents: To Sign Or Not To Sign?
September 30, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis (83) runs with the ball during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Redskins won 24-22. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Of the players on the Washington Redskins’ roster that will become free agents at the end of this season, I believe five are notable components of the team who have contributed somehow in the team’s recent past. Washington will be faced with the tough decisions to sign or not sign these players.
Below, I predict the verdict for the five notable players in “Will sign or won’t sign”.
Brian Orakpo, OLB: Will Sign
After missing 14 games last season due to a torn pectoral, 2013 might be a make-or-break year for Orakpo. His goals are lofty, but he needs to produce in order to impress. It starts with staying on the field. I believe Orakpo will come back fresh and ready to play after barely playing at all last year, and with his job on the line, he will produce nicely, although he may not even be the best outside linebacker on his own team. The Redskins will re-sign him, maybe not to a long term deal, but 2013 will not be his last season in D.C.
Josh Wilson, CB: Will Sign
Wilson restructured his contract this offseason to give the team more cap room, but will still become a free agent at this year’s conclusion. He is a quality starter, but his job could be in serious question after the season is over. Rookie David Amerson could start in place of Wilson this year if his production drops and/or in 2014 if the team chooses not to sign him. Even if Amerson does start, I believe Wilson will stay on the team as a backup corner.
Fred Davis, TE: Won’t Sign
Davis’s situation is much like that of Brian Orakpo. Coming off a season-ending injury, he must produce to keep his job and his place on the team. However, I do not believe that his numbers this year will allow him to stay – rookie Jordan Reed and healthy veterans Niles Paul and Logan Paulsen will manage to take snaps away from him, causing his production to drop. The team will not re-sign him for this reason. Expect Jordan Reed to fill Davis’s role nicely in the near future.
Santana Moss, WR: Will Sign
At 33 years old last season, Moss led the team in touchdowns. The “old” man has still got it, even though he is now 34 and entering a one-year deal (recently restructured contract). Moss evolved into one of Robert Griffin III’s favorite targets last season, and that was evident in the number of touchdowns he scored. He is still one of the best slot receivers in the league and should sign a short term contract at the season’s end. I can’t see Moss playing anywhere else, as he is one of the longest-tenured Redskins currently on the roster.
Rex Grossman, QB: Won’t Sign
Grossman should be expected to retire after this year. This is partly because of the fact that he knows he probably will not see the field in the regular season again. This is not a knock against him (his career has been somewhat successful), but the team may not need him. Washington may pick up another veteran quarterback or sign an undrafted free agent next offseason to fill Grossman’s void – there is simply not enough space on the roster to keep him. I am also assuming that Kirk Cousins will be traded for a high draft pick next offseason, so the three quarterbacks on the roster next year will be RGIII, some other new acquisition, and Pat White. The backup quarterback position should be up for grabs. Grossman has been a great mentor for Griffin and Cousins, but I don’t see him returning next year.