Redskins need to make the money count in Landon Collins deal

The Redskins added a former All-Pro safety in free agency, inking Landon Collins to a blockbuster deal.

The former Giant was lured into the inter-divisional deal by a salary of $84 million, set to be spread out over a span of six years. With $45 million guaranteed in the first three years of the deal, Collins automatically becomes one of the Washington Redskins highest-paid players.

In a sense, the Redskins filled a need; they added a player with a more than respectable resume at safety, and they shored up a defensive unit that was lackluster in 2018. But the Redskins can’t act like their problems are solved, simply because they signed a check. Landon Collins is a member of the Washington Redskins because of the money, but now, the Washington Redskins need to make the money count.

Landon Collins is still just 25 years old, and because he’s locked in for at least three years with Washington, he’ll have time to expand on his current skill set. But the Alabama product is widely known as a box safety first; his strengths involve enforcing his will over the short-range and intermediate realms of the field. He’s a sure tackler, and he can be a disruptive cover man with his excellent instincts and reaction time.

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However, Collins’ skill set is not perfect. While Collins has the ability to cover in the deep third of the field in spots, it’s not his primary mode. He is not the all-around powerhouse that his contract suggests he is. He is very good in a role, and while he can fill other roles at a starter’s caliber, the Redskins still need to make sure they maximize his talent.

We’re all looking at you, Greg Manusky.

Simply put, Manusky and his staff needs to use Collins, his shiny new toy, the right way. They can’t simply assume that, because he commanded the highest safety contract in the NFL, he can fill every role designated to every kind of safety. That’s not how it works. Manusky may need to divert from his preferred side-by-side safety alignment at times, and let Collins do what he does best: Sit on the top of the box and make plays in the middle of the field.

It still remains to be seen who might compliment Collins in those situations. The complimentary safety in question would likely be more coverage-oriented, with the ability to showcase his range over the top of the field. Montae Nicholson has the potential to fill such a role well, if the Redskins are willing to give him another chance. Whatever the case, the Redskins would be best served to keep Collins in the role he performs best. If they stubbornly cling to scheme, and fail to adjust to players’ strengths, then it doesn’t matter how much money you pay. Your team won’t be as efficient, or effective.

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Money talks, and sometimes, it shouts. But with every pricey item, there’s always a warning. Use it for its intended purpose, or you might not get the returns you expect.

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