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Ranking the Redskins’ impending free agents in order of importance

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 09: wide receiver Jamison Crowder #80 of the Washington Redskins reacts after a play in the first quarter against the New York Giants at FedExField on December 9, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 09: wide receiver Jamison Crowder #80 of the Washington Redskins reacts after a play in the first quarter against the New York Giants at FedExField on December 9, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 20: Linebacker Preston Smith #94 of the Washington Redskins celebrates a tackle against the Buffalo Bills at FedExField on December 20, 2015 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 20: Linebacker Preston Smith #94 of the Washington Redskins celebrates a tackle against the Buffalo Bills at FedExField on December 20, 2015 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

1. EDGE Preston Smith

Smith is certainly one of the most polarizing players on the Redskins. In fact, he may be one of the most polarizing players on the free agent market. He has all the tools needed to be a successful pass rusher in the NFL, yet his production doesn’t quite match up with his skill set.

Smith has excellent length and athleticism and has been able to pressure opposing quarterbacks consistently over the course of the past few years. However, he had just four sacks last season and is prone to long hot or cold streaks. So in short, he gets consistent pressure and inconsistent production. That makes it hard to properly evaluate what he will be worth on the open market.

Regardless, Smith is still young (26) and should be entering his prime. If he can put it all together, he could be one of the better pass rushers in the NFL. But that’s just the problem. It’s hard to justify paying someone on a potential-based deal. And that’s what the Redskins will have to do regarding a Smith extension.

If Smith leaves, the team will have a gaping hole across from Ryan Kerrigan. Essentially, Kerrigan — who is no spring chicken — will have Ryan Anderson as his main partner. There aren’t any other options on the roster. The team would then have to get a replacement either in free agency or in the draft. That will be doable, both the draft and free agent classes are loaded at the position, but they will have to use a lot of resources to fix the position either way.

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The reason that Smith is the most important free agent option is because of the ripple effect it could have on the team. They are already going to add talent at positions like safety and receiver in the draft, but the need on the edge won’t be nearly as pressing if they re-sign Smith. It will be fascinating to see what they end up doing with him, but clearly, he is the team’s wild card this offseason.

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