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Report: Redskins LB Will Compton set to visit Buffalo Bills in free agency

By Jacob Camenker

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 05: Inside linebacker Will Compton #51 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after interceping a pass during the third quarter of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 5, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Redskins won 17-14. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 05: Inside linebacker Will Compton #51 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after interceping a pass during the third quarter of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 5, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Redskins won 17-14. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Redskins have lost quite a few players in free agency. Will Compton could be next, as he is set to visit the Buffalo Bills in the coming days.

As free agency goes on, there are still a few former Redskins available on the market that will receive attention. While the team has retained a few players and lost a handful more, the team still has quite a few members of their 17-player free agency class on the market.

One of those players is Will Compton. The former starting linebacker was demoted to a reserve role last year, but he got a chance to start a couple of games before landing on Injured Reserve. Compton is a very solid linebacker, and though he does have trouble making tackles sometimes, he is very good in coverage and could be a good starter for a team that adds him in free agency. Essentially, Compton is a slightly above average starter who, in the right scheme, can make an impact.

According to ESPN’s John Keim, Compton does have a free agent visit lined up. The team interested in him is the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills would be a logical landing spot for Compton. As Keim mentioned, the team lost Preston Brown to free agency, and they really don’t have anything else at the middle linebacker spot. Compton could come in and play next to solid rookie Matt Milano and venerable veteran and former Redskin Lorenzo Alexander. That would give the team a solid unit, especially if the team could add one more quality linebacker, like Roquan Smith or Josey Jewell, in the draft.

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This wouldn’t be the first player that the Bills would poach from the Redskins. The Bills added Trent Murphy on a three-year, $21 million deal that will see him play a role on the team’s defense, in rotation with Shaq Lawson and Jerry Hughes. Reuniting Murphy and Compton in the Bills’ front seven could do a lot to upgrade the team with some proven, veteran players.

For the Redskins, losing Compton is inconsequential at this time. Compton was a starter for the team in 2016, but he was relegated to a reserve role in 2017 after the addition of Zach Brown. With both Brown and Foster returning, Compton doesn’t really have a place on the Redskins team. Sure, the Redskins could use Compton as a backup, but he is capable of being a starter on some teams across the NFL. So, he likely won’t want to stick around at a reduced rate in a reduced role.

Plus, with the team’s young depth, including Zach Vigil, Josh Harvey-Clemons, and Martrell Spaight, Compton wouldn’t necessarily have a definitive role. He would definitely provide a veteran presence and the leadership he always has possessed, but it would probably serve him best to go find a starting job elsewhere, like the one that could be available in Buffalo.

Next: Zach Brown's re-signing was the best move for Redskins

If Compton does leave, he will certainly provide his team with a solid starter. His locker room presence will be missed with the Redskins if he goes, but a departure might be in the best interest in both parties.

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