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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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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 22: Dion Lewis #33 of the Tennessee Titans is tackled by Pernell McPhee #96 of the Washington Redskins during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 22: Dion Lewis #33 of the Tennessee Titans is tackled by Pernell McPhee #96 of the Washington Redskins during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

7. EDGE Pernell McPhee

McPhee’s numbers last season don’t look good on paper. He is an edge player, but he didn’t get any sacks. Still, he will be a key cog to bring back as a role player.

McPhee did a great job of setting the edge in a limited role and was solid against the run and the pass. While the numbers don’t indicate it, McPhee did some damage as a pass rusher thanks to his strength and length. That helped him to get in the backfield on occasion, and he helped to take attention away from the interior line. That opened up opportunities for them to get sacks, so that can’t be ignored.

Last season, the Redskins were able to get McPhee cheap. It’s probable that they could bring him back on a similar contract that pays $1.5 million or less to keep him on as a backup. He’s at the point in his career where he shouldn’t be playing a lot, but he didn’t even crack 20 percent of the snaps last season. If he stays in that role for the ‘Skins, it could be a recipe for success.

Of course, the counterpoint is that the team could move Ryan Anderson into McPhee’s role as the backup and draft another player to provide the team with far more upside at the position. There is absolutely merit to that strategy, especially in a class that has depth on the edge. But at the same time, you can never have too many edge rushers on the roster, so holding onto McPhee wouldn’t be a bad move.

This is especially true because of the unknown status of one Preston Smith. We’re not sure if he will return to the team (more on him later) so retaining McPhee will have extra importance if Smith departs.

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