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Washington Redskins on pace for a treasure trove of compensatory picks

By Ian Cummings

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 12: Linebacker Trent Murphy #93 of the Washington Redskins on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 12, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 30-20. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 12: Linebacker Trent Murphy #93 of the Washington Redskins on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 12, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 30-20. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Draft picks matter. And because the Washington Redskins let several unrestricted free agents go, they might have a lot of extra draft capital in 2018.

Last year, the Washington Redskins missed out on earning any compensatory picks. They had opportunities to do so with the losses of DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, John Sullivan, and Chris Baker, but those losses were nullified by the acquisitions of Terrelle Pryor, D.J. Swearinger, Stacy McGee, and Terrell McClain.

The Washington Redskins seem to be well aware of their mistake from last year. The front office has been unnaturally frugal. Through two days of legal tampering, the Washington Redskins have only signed one outside free agent in former Seahawks wide receiver Paul Richardson. Aside from re-signing  reserve receiver Brian Quick, no other moves have been made.

Meanwhile, the Washington Redskins have seen several former players walk out the door. Kirk Cousins is off to the Vikings. Bashaud Breeland will soon call Carolina his home. Spencer Long has signed with the Jets, Niles Paul was picked up by the Jaguars, Ryan Grant has joined the Ravens, and Trent Murphy left earlier today to join the Bills.

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According to OverTheCap’s compensatory draft pick cancellation chart, the Washington Redskins could receive at least three compensatory draft picks from those departures, with a possible maximum of four. Kirk Cousins has already been deemed to be worth a third-round pick, while Ryan Grant and Trent Murphy could each bring the Washington Redskins a fifth-rounder in 2019. Bashaud Breeland would be worth a fourth-round pick, but his departure was cancelled out by the acquisition of Paul Richardson.

The Washington Redskins could potentially receive yet another compensatory pick from either Spencer Long or Niles Paul, but their round worths are still being calculated. Nevertheless, three compensatory picks is a treasure trove for this team, and mid-round picks hold much more prospective value.

Because the Washington Redskins have a good allotment of compensatory picks, and because they could get another one soon, it would be in their best interests to use their remaining money on another top-tier free agent, such as Dontari Poe, Sheldon Richardson, or Josh Sitton, or perhaps re-sign an impact player such as Zach Brown or Junior Galette.

Next: Should the Redskins target Eric Ebron for low cost?

Even with another big signing, the Washington Redskins would still be in a very good situation for compensatory picks next year. Unlike this year, the Washington Redskins should get a boost before draft season. And for a team whose window of opportunity spans only three years at maximum, those picks could be very important.

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