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It’s time for the Redskins to sign Preston Smith before he gets too expensive

By Tim Payne

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 15: Linebacker Preston Smith #94 of the Washington Redskins waits to be introduced before playing the New Orleans Saints at FedExField on November 15, 2015 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 15: Linebacker Preston Smith #94 of the Washington Redskins waits to be introduced before playing the New Orleans Saints at FedExField on November 15, 2015 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 23: Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles is sacked by Mason Foster #54 and Preston Smith #94 of the Washington Redskins during the first quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 23: Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles is sacked by Mason Foster #54 and Preston Smith #94 of the Washington Redskins during the first quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Washington already lost their chance to set the market for EDGE players from the 2015 Draft.

Unfortunately, the Vikings beat the Redskins to the punch this offseason with a player with substantially similar stats to Smith from the same draft class – Danielle Hunter. A quick review of their career stats indicates just how similar they are as players:

Smith_VHunter2
Smith_VHunter2 /

Sacks have nearly the same drive-killing impact as interceptions, so their career stats are essentially the same.

Here’s the kicker, though: Hunter’s stats in 2017 came as part of the first-ranked defense alongside Linval Joseph and Everson Griffen. Smith’s came as part of the 21st-ranked defense alongside Ziggy Hood, Anthony Lanier and a one-handed Matt Ioannidis. Even with the disparity of talent around them, Preston out-performed Hunter in 2017 on the stat-sheet.  He also out-pressured the entire NFL according to some advanced statistics.

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Smith could make the argument he deserves more than Hunter, which is why the Redskins should have set the market, not react to the market. And as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported, Hunter received a contract that will pay him $72 million over five years with $40 million in guarantees.

Who knows what discussions have been had behind closed doors. But you’d think Preston would’ve signed that deal in a heartbeat. Now, the Redskins may have to beat it to get him extended. Even if he doesn’t improve at all this year, the price will go up next offseason.

The only way Washington benefits by waiting to sign Smith is if he tanks or is injured this year. Nobody should be planning on that. Nobody in all of Redskins Nation wants that. The cap is going up, the position is at a premium, and Smith has improved each season. The good organizations bet on their own players and coaches.

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