The big names get all the buzz in free agency each year, but often, it’s the little-known names that mean the most. The Washington Redskins must take note of that.
The Redskins made some splashes in free agency last year, signing players like D.J. Swearinger, Zach Brown, Stacy McGee, Terrell McClain, and Terrelle Pryor. From that batch, they received mixed results. Swearinger and Brown were top-notch contributors for much of the season, with Brown leading the league in tackles and Swearinger contributing greatly to an improving culture.
However, beyond those two players, the positives end rather quickly. Stacy McGee was an inconsistent player. His size helped in some situations, but he ultimately was relegated to a reserve role, as was Terrell McClain, whose play didn’t amount to half of his current salary. Terrelle Pryor, hailed by some as the banner player of the free agency class, didn’t last for half the season before being placed on injured reserve. In good health, he was inconsistent, and his hands were about as effective as bricks.
Overall, the Redskins got a lot out of their 2017 free agency class, but there was too much room for improvement. This year, depending on how the Kirk Cousins situation plays out, they’ll again be in the mix for some high profile players. But are those the players you should really be watching?
The Redskins don’t just need impact players. They need depth. They need to keep a close eye on the lesser known players in free agency. The players whose situations may have been detrimental to their output. The players who may just be at the beginning of long, illustrious careers. And veterans who could fit very nicely into the Redskins’ scheme. In the next few slides, we’ll take a look at three such players. Who might be a free agency steal at a position of need for the Washington Redskins?
No. 3 – G Josh Kline – Tennessee Titans
The Redskins will be thin at the guard position to start the offseason of 2018, regardless of what happens with their own in-house signings. Shawn Lauvao is all but out the door, and if Spencer Long doesn’t come back to replace him, then they’ll have a glaring need there.
The Redskins’ backups at guard, Arie Kouandjio, Tony Bergstrom, and Tyler Catalina, don’t incite much confidence at a far away glance. Kouandjio had his flashes in 2017, but he was inconsistent. Tony Bergstrom played well enough to be retained as a depth player, but to rely on him or Tyler Catalina as more than that, at this point, is risky, to say the least.
Thus, the Redskins need another guard to shore up the offensive line. Someone who can give them value, starting experience, and a bit of insurance if injuries attack with comparable force in 2018. Josh Kline, a left guard for the Tennessee Titans, is one possible option who meets those requirements.
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Kline would bring value to the Redskins for a number of reasons. He was an undrafted free agent who worked his way onto the New England Patriots’ roster in 2013. He would remain on that team for three full years, starting 18 games at left and right guard, while occasionally filling in at center. For three years, he was the typical Patriots’ player: A guy who was reliable and versatile, able to uphold his duty at a moment’s notice.
After shoulder surgery at the end of 2015, however, he would face a long recovery, after which he would be cut by the Patriots during final preseason cuts the next year. He was quickly swiped off the waiver wire by the Tennessee Titans, and there, he carved out a role for himself as a serviceable starter.
Kline, now 28 years old, isn’t guaranteed a new contract from the Titans. His contract amounted $2.4 million against the Titans’ salary cap in 2017, and his play suffered enough down the stretch that the Titans could look to take a different direction in 2018, once their playoff run is over.
Kline wouldn’t be a starter for the Washington Redskins, but he provides winning experience and a tireless work ethic. He won a Super Bowl with the Patriots, and his presence alone would help with the winning culture the Redskins are trying to build. He registered a grade of 74.1 on Pro Football Focus this year, good for 24th among all guards, and he helped shape a run-first offense in Tennessee. Kline’s skill set would fit nicely in the Redskins’ offense, and he could come at a decent price, providing security while the team looks for a new starter.
No. 2 – EDGE Jeremiah Attaochu – Los Angeles Chargers
The Redskins’ edge rushing department has the names. But they don’t always have the production to coincide with that. Ryan Kerrigan may have logged a career high in sacks this year, but too often, there isn’t enough pressure being generated from the outside. With more depth, and more rest, perhaps the starters could see an increase in their effectiveness.
The return of Trent Murphy will help, but with Junior Galette likely out the door, that roster fluctuation will be countered swiftly. In response, the Redskins should sign a low-risk player in free agency who will come at a cheap price. Jeremiah Attaochu of the Los Angeles Chargers sizes up to that description quite well.
Attaochu is not only a low-risk signing, but also provides the potential of exceptionally high returns. A former second round pick out of Georgia Tech, Attaochu got off to a promising start in his career. His rookie year was full of predictable ups and downs, and in his second year, he started for most of the season, recording six sacks.
Things were looking up for Attaochu’s third season, but injuries did him in. He would miss the first two weeks of the season, and after contributing as little more than a reserve player in Weeks 3 through 10, he was placed on injured reserve with a broken foot.
In 2017, Attaochu was little more than an afterthought in the Chargers’ new defensive scheme. He only played in four games, starting none, and more often than not, he was a healthy scratch, a low-value insurance policy that was never used.
Attaochu, a former second-round pick, will more than likely take his game elsewhere, discontent with his situation in Los Angeles. But due to his status for much of 2017, some teams might be hesitant to pick him up. That’s where the Washington Redskins can make their move.
Attaoachu projects well as an edge rusher who can also put his hand in the dirt. Like Galette, he has explosive burst, and standing at 6-foot-3, 253, he has the size to disrupt the lineman at the point of attack. His athleticism is his calling card, and while his strength was a big knock on him coming out of college, he has plenty of traits the Redskins can build upon. Coupled with the fact that he turns just 25 years old this year, and this signing makes a lot of sense for the Redskins.
Attaochu won’t break the bank with his demand. Some teams will be willing to take a risk on him, but his lack of production and inability to get on the field will scare many away. The Redskins can take a calculated risk with Attaochu and offer him a reasonable contract. He can then filter in behind Preston Smith at the right edge. Perhaps Attaochu only needs a change of scenery to make a comeback. The Washington Redskins can give him that, and more. At a nice price.
No. 1 – WR Brice Butler – Dallas Cowboys
What’s better than getting a steal in free agency? Taking that player from a bitter rival.
Brice Butler has never been more than a depth player for the Cowboys. In three years with the team, he’s never logged more than sixteen receptions and three touchdowns.
While he hasn’t been a premier option, however, he has been reliable. He logged a catch percentage value of 65.2% in 2017. He was only thrown at 23 times, and yet, he managed to record 15 receptions. And these weren’t your average bubble screens and slant routes. Butler was a premier deep threat for the Cowboys, averaging over 21 yards per catch on the year.
2017 was the first season that Butler recorded more than 300 yards in his entire career, and his production as a deep threat likely has him eager to fill a more productive role elsewhere. The Cowboys haven’t gotten all that they can out of Butler, and time and time again, he reminds them why they made a mistake. He’s likely to test the market in 2018, and he could end up being the missing piece that the Redskins have needed all along.
Butler stands 6-foot-3, possessing great length for an outside receiver. His catch percentage shows that unlike some Redskins’ receivers this year (Looking at you guys, Doctson and Pryor), he rises up to the occasion when a 50-50 ball comes his way. There are issues with his consistency, and he falls victim to injuries more often than most, but he has all the tools to be a valuable weapon in the Redskin’s passing attack.
Next: Simulating the entire Redskins' offseason: Releasing Kirk
Of course, we said that about Terrelle Pryor. And we said that about Josh Doctson, who is looking more and more like a bust as his career starts to pan out. Caution must be taken with this route, but if Butler can realize his potential with the Washington Redskins, then everyone would benefit. He has the potential to be a special player, and if the Washington Redskins can pay a reasonable sum to lock down his talents in D.C., they should strongly consider doing it.