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Simulating the Washington Redskins’ entire 2019 offseason

By Jacob Camenker

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 03: Josh Norman #24 of the Washington Redskins walks off the field after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Redskins 28-13. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 03: Josh Norman #24 of the Washington Redskins walks off the field after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Redskins 28-13. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 02: Landon Collins #21 of the New York Giants reacts after being called for pass interference during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at MetLife Stadium on December 02, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 02: Landon Collins #21 of the New York Giants reacts after being called for pass interference during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at MetLife Stadium on December 02, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Free Agent Signings: Defense

After shoring up the offensive side of the ball, we shifted our attention to the defense. Here, we wanted to look at the edge rusher market, the safety position, and see if we could find a capable replacement at inside linebacker to help fill in while Reuben Foster is (likely) suspended. In two of those areas, we found success.

With both Clinton-Dix and D.J. Swearinger gone, safety is arguably the biggest hole on the Redskins. Thankfully, there are more than enough quality candidates on the free agent market to help replace them. One of them is Landon Collins. The former Alabama star has been a solid all-around player for the Giants over the course of the past four years. And in Washington, he would easily become their top safety overall.

Collins could fill the void left behind by the departed safety duo. He has the range needed to be a playmaker but is also a solid tackler. Sure, he can struggle at times in coverage, but that can be said of virtually every safety in the league. He should be a more than solid starter, so getting his as the team’s top replacement seems like the way to go.

Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders /

Washington Commanders

In the simulation, Collins ended up signing a deal worth $45 million over five years. It’s a big investment, but he really has a good chance to live up to the deal. At just 25, Collins is entering what should be his prime. And if the team decides they want to invest at the position, picking up Collins would be a smart move.

Elsewhere, we made a buy-low move at inside linebacker by stealing Jordan Hicks away from the rival Eagles. Hicks is a very good all-around linebacker, but the Eagles may have trouble re-signing him due to a lack of cap space. Plus, Hicks has missed 13 games over the course of the past two seasons, so those injury issues may hurt his value on the market.

We were able to sign Hicks for $15 million over three years. That’s not bad at all, considering that he could end up starting in place of Foster while he’s out and next to him when he returns. Hicks also has scheme versatility and turns 27 in June, so provided that he can stay healthy, this deal could turn into a bargain (14th-ranked among inside linebackers).

By adding two, key young pieces on defense, the Redskins unit would have the makings of a top-10 squad in that area. And after the draft, that outlook only got brighter.

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