Washington Redskins target Johnathan Hankins leaves D.C without a deal

The work day has ended in Ashburn, and Johnathan Hankins has left the Washington Redskins team facility without a deal.

The Washington Redskins were quick to invite former Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins to a visit. But when it came to talking money, they were, as they often are with important signings, hesitant. Per J.P. Finlay, the team tried to get a deal for Hankins. But they ultimately didn’t try hard enough.

The Washington Redskins managed to sign former Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick to a deal earlier in the day, giving him an approximate annual salary of $5 million over two years. While the team was willing to overpay an aging, injury prone cornerback, they weren’t willing to to pay up for a young, solid run defender.

Unfortunately, the Washington Redskins need a solid run defender. And they don’t need an injury prone cornerback. At least not for the salary that they got Scandrick for. The Washington Redskins got off to a good start in free agency, but today’s events should be considered a major blunder.

The Washington Redskins, for the optimists, can still sign Johnathan Hankins. Just because he left the facility doesn’t mean a deal is impossible. A deal occurred with DeSean Jackson after he left the facility during a visit so many years ago. Hankins and the Redskins may still be in contact.

But at the same time, holding out hope for this to fall into place is a dangerous proposition. The Washington Redskins, with around $8.5 million in cap space to use, not including the money set aside for incoming rookies, is barely enough to cover a modest deal for Hankins. Playing around with some cumbersome contracts could change that, but more likely than not, Bruce Allen wanted a cushion, and therefore, he lowballed Hankins.

The Washington Redskins could come back with a better offer. But Hankins is now free to visit other teams with more cap space. It’s very possible that he could favor another team’s offer, and leave the Washington Redskins back where they started.

Next: NFL Mock Draft 7.0: Round 1 of the 2018 NFL Draft

The situation is still fluid. Be sure to stay with us here at Riggo’s Rag, as we’ll continue to provide updates on the Johnathan Hankins situation and more.