Riggo's Rag
FanSided

3 free agent edge rushers the Redskins should consider signing in 2019

By Jacob Camenker

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 10: Outside linebacker Shane Ray #56 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a defensive pass broken up at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 10, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 10: Outside linebacker Shane Ray #56 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a defensive pass broken up at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 10, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
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) /

The Washington Redskins need to add some talent at edge rusher. Here’s a look at some of the guys they could target at the position in free agency.

Two seasons ago, few would have aniticpated the Redskins’ rush linebacker position becoming a potential weakness. In 2017, they had Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith, Junior Galette, and Ryan Anderson on the team. With Kerrigan, Smith, and Galette finding success while Anderson developed, it looked like one of the deeper units on the team. Oh, how things can change rapidly in the NFL.

Now, at the start of the 2019 offseason, Kerrigan and Anderson are the only players currently under contract. Galette was out of the league last year and seems unlikely to return to Washington after he turned down what the franchise thought was a fair offer to bring him back. Smith is set to hit free agency, and it’s unclear whether or not he will return to the squad.

Kerrigan and Anderson aren’t bad, but the team needs more depth. Kerrigan is coming off his third-straight season with double-digit sacks (13), but he turns 31 in August. A decline could soon be coming for the team’s most consistent player and at the very least, the Redskins have to plan to find a potential successor soon. Meanwhile, Anderson simply hasn’t developed a lot since being a second-round pick. Perhaps he will make the leap, but he can’t be trusted as a starter yet.

Because of these facts, the Redskins will have to actively pursue help on the edge this offseason. They could do it in a draft that has a lot of edge talent, but the free agent market also has some nice options. So, here’s a look at some exterior players they may target to help bolster their pass rush.

Note: Preston Smith is not included among these free agent options, as these are merely external options for the team. We addressed Smith’s importance to the team when we ranked their free agents in order of importance last week. For more on that, click here.

Home/Commanders Free Agency