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Report: Redskins trying to bring back safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

By Jacob Camenker

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 03: Tight end Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a catch for a first down against safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix #20 of the Washington Redskins during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles won 28-13. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 03: Tight end Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a catch for a first down against safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix #20 of the Washington Redskins during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles won 28-13. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Redskins are apparently dead-set on fixing their safety problems, as they are trying to retain Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to pair with Landon Collins.

After agreeing to a deal with Landon Collins on the first day of the free agent tampering period, it was assumed that the Redskins would be mostly done in free agency. However, that isn’t the case.

The team has stayed active thanks partially to the low cap hit of Collins’ first year with the Redskins, and they could opt to bring back one more big free agent. And right now, it appears that Ha Ha Clinton-Dix may be their top target.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Redskins are working to bring back Clinton-Dix. The team traded for him at the deadline last year and gave up a fourth-round pick for him.

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The prospect of retaining Clinton-Dix should excite Washington fans.

While Clinton-Dix was far from perfect after being a part of a midseason trade from the Packers, he showed flashes of his top-notch ability at times. He was an All-Pro candidate early in his career, and he does have great coverage skills. Perhaps with a full offseason to get comfortable in Washington’s scheme, he could be a solid playmaker.

Also, Clinton-Dix would pair well with Collins. The two were together at Alabama for a few years, and they both played extensive action together in 2012. They pair well together, as Clinton-Dix’s strength is coverage while Collins is an elite tackler.

Bringing back Clinton-Dix would give the Redskins a potentially stellar, young safety duo. It would be an upgrade over what they had at the position coming into the offseason, and it would ensure that guys like Deshazor Everett, Montae Nicholson, and Troy Apke would be in the depth roles they belong in. In short, this would finish the safety group.

Additionally, if Clinton-Dix signs, this means that the Redskins will have as many as seven potential starters from Alabama on their defense. Clinton-Dix, Collins, Reuben Foster, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, and Ryan Anderson could all end up starting the season opener. And that’s ahead of the draft, so there may be even more.

Next. 4 free agents for the Redskins to pursue. dark

The smart thing for the ‘Skins to do this offseason was to target the oversaturated free agent safety market. That appears to be what they’re doing. If they can get Clinton-Dix and Collins, the back-end of their defense will be taken care of for at least the next few seasons. They also wouldn’t have to take a safety in the draft, so that would free up opportunities for them to target the offensive side of the ball in the early rounds.

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