Washington Redskins should bring back Will Blackmon as safety depth

The Washington Redskins will likely lose one veteran presence in the secondary this offseason in DeAngelo Hall. They can compensate for that loss by signing back Will Blackmon.

Culture is important in the NFL. More important than many realize. And over the last year, the Washington Redskins have begun working toward a positive culture that will last for a long time.

The team offloaded DeSean Jackson and Chris Baker last offseason, both of whom were viewed as detriments to the culture the team sought after. They also added D.J. Swearinger as a leader in the secondary and on the defense, to work with veterans Josh Norman and DeAngelo Hall.

The teachings of these veterans resonated early. Kendall Fuller had a breakout year in 2017, as did Quinton Dunbar. Torrian Gray deserves plenty of credit for their progress, but the influence of veterans greatly contributed do this as well. With defensive backs on the field who can coach the younger players, they’re getting hands-on knowledge in a very timely manner.

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That said, the Washington Redskins are in danger of losing DeAngelo Hall this offseason. The veteran had his least active year in a long time in 2017, and he’ll likely be released, if he doesn’t call it quits before then. A void will be left where Hall once stood. He’s been with the Redskins for almost a decade, and when he was injured this past season, he was, to summarize the words of many, basically a coach.

Hall’s loss won’t be an easy one to recover from. Thus, it wouldn’t be such a terrible idea to grab a player who brings similar traits to the team. A player who, perhaps, was here not too long ago.

Will Blackmon, the former Redskins safety, was without a job this past year, but according to Chris Lingebach of CBS DC, Blackmon is looking for a job, and even at the age of 33, he’s eager to keep competing. Here’s what Blackmon had to say on his looming unemployment.

"I know I still have productive years in me, and the value that I bring to teams and the leadership and what have you, I know that I can help teams, whether it’s someone trying to make a postseason run or whether it’s a team trying to rebuild.I’m still available, still ready to play, so that’s what I’m doing right now, just training and keeping myself healthy, because you never know. The opportunity may come, and if I’m not ready, then that’s my fault.”"

Blackmon performed admirably for the Redskins in his time here, proving himself to be a valuable asset in terms of depth and leadership. For a thin safety group that already has starters in place, Blackmon would be a superb add, and he’d help strengthen the winning mindset that this team has already begun to adopt.

Next: Grading the Washington Redskins' defensive linemen in 2017

With few safety options worthy of big money on the market, and a lingering, but not pressing need at the position, why not add Blackmon for insurance purposes? He’s a familiar face, he would come very cheap, and with him back, the team would cherish that familiarity.

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