Free agency won’t be over for a while, but we can start to piece together how the Redskins draft needs might have changed with recent signings.
For the Washington Redskins, it wasn’t quantity which they sought in 2019 free agency, but instead quality, even if it came at a high cost. The Redskins made an early splash with the signing of Landon Collins to a six-year, $84 million deal.
The signing of Collins filled a need at safety, and the Redskins later built on their commitment to defense, signing veteran Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to a deal, luring him out of retirement.
Collins gives the Redskins some flexibility in the NFL Draft, but how exactly does he change their plans? Here’s how their top five draft needs shake out, after the early developments of 2019 free agency.
No. 5 – Offensive Tackle
There are plenty of candidates for this No. 5 spot, as the Redskins roster still looms around average, as a whole. An upgrade could be had at tight end, especially if suspected cuts come to pass. Inside linebacker is another possible option, although it could be more cost-effective to stick with in-house options there. And cornerback could garner consideration as well.
But the loss of Ty Nsekhe to the Buffalo Bills in free agency brings about a startling reality for the Redskins: They are painfully thin at one of the most important offensive positions, and they need not just depth, but potential starting ability.
In recent years, Nsekhe was a valuable security blanket at tackle for the Redskins; one who saw plenty of playing time with both Trent Williams and Morgan Moses battling injury. Now, with Nsekhe gone, the only tackle behind the team’s two injury prone starters is Geron Christian, a 2018 third-round pick who underwhelmed in limited action in his rookie season.
Christian can still develop, but his pervading lack of functional strength is concerning, to say the least. Even more concerning is the status of the team’s two starting offensive tackles. Trent Williams turns 31 this offseason, and he’s missed nine games over the past two seasons, playing injured in dozens more. Moses battled injuries while playing as well, and while he at least provides stability at right tackle, there’s no one behind him to give the Redskins insurance.
With both short-term and long-term needs looming on the horizon at tackle, magnified by the loss of stalwart lineman Ty Nsekhe, the Redskins can’t afford to overlook their need at tackle. Their lack of depth has cost them for two seasons on end now. And after losing Nsekhe, they’ll only get thinner.
No. 4 – Quarterback
There are four needs that stand alone as the Redskins primary needs, and quarterback comes in at No. 4 on the list. Had the Redskins not traded for Case Keenum, and shaved his salary, this position may have been higher.
But instead, the Redskins have a stopgap in place for the 2019 season. Keenum isn’t going to win on his own, but he’s a competent placeholder in a friendly situation. Granted, Washington has work to do before they can consider their offense “friendly”. But Keenum gives them a higher floor, for a cheap price.
That said, if the Redskins want to compete in 2019, like they’ve led so many to believe, then they’ll certainly be interested in picking a quarterback at No. 15. They need to pick a quarterback in this draft no matter what; getting at least one signal caller on a rookie deal is a priority. But where that signal caller should be drafted is up to the decision maker.
In Round 1, the Redskins could trade up for Kyler Murray or Dwayne Haskins, or they could stand pat at No. 15 and pick either Drew Lock or Daniel Jones. The smarter option, however, might be to wait, and grab a passer later on. Brett Rypien stands out as a promising alternative late on Day 2 or even on Day 3. Either way, Keenum gives Washington some flexibility. But they can’t leave the position untouched.
No. 3 – Wide Receiver
There were whispers that the Redskins could be in the market for some of the top free agent receivers, but they left the initial free agency frenzy empty handed, in that regard. Compounded with the departure of Jamison Crowder, Washington’s early inaction at wide receiver leaves a gaping hole on offense.
As of now, the starting lineup at wide receiver is set to feature Josh Doctson and Paul Richardson at the X and Z positions, perhaps interchangeably, with Trey Quinn succeeding Crowder as the team’s slot receiver. If you follow me, you know I’m a huge Trey Quinn fan. You know I’m not willing to close the book on Richardson yet. And you know I’m willing to cut Doctson some slack for the hardships he faced early in his career.
That said, that starting lineup is certainly not up to par on its own. Doctson still has yet to finish developing his game, and it’s up for debate if he ever will. Richardson has speed and route running savvy, but can he stay healthy long enough to pay dividends on the team’s $8 million annual investment? And while Quinn has promising traits, health is an issue for him as well, and he shouldn’t be given a starting job just yet.
The Redskins had a need for dynamic talent in their receiving core last season, and now, after the initial wave of free agency, that truth still stands. With a deep receiver class on the horizon, Washington will have it easy. Or at least one would hope.
No. 2 – Offensive Guard
You know, maybe offensive guard isn’t such a big need. After all, the Redskins could just re-sign Shawn Lauvao in July.
I kid, I kid.
Lauvao was part of the Redskins starting lineup for a long time, but the time has come for a change. Needing both a starting left guard and depth on the interior, the Redskins absolutely need to invest in their offensive line in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Up until now, the Redskins haven’t used any cap resources on what appears to be a weak free agent offensive line class. They could still re-sign some linemen; Jonathan Cooper stands out as an in-house free agent who arguably earned a new contract. But for now, the Redskins offensive line is bare on the interior, with Brandon Scherff recovering from a torn pectoral and Shawn Lauvao leaving for what should be the last time.
With Chase Roullier as the only completely stable constant on the interior of the offense’s foundation, the Redskins need to address offensive guard early, and perhaps often, in the 2019 NFL Draft.
No. 1 – Edge Rusher
The loss of Preston Smith was essentially a forgone conclusion before free agency. Now that it’s official, with Smith’s transition to the Green Bay Packers, the Redskins have a need on the edge opposite Ryan Kerrigan.
With most of free agency’s starting edge options exhausted, the Redskins will need to invest draft capital at that spot. One could argue that Ryan Anderson deserves a chance to start; after all, he’s a former second-round pick who flashed in limited opportunities last year.
But past the surface, the projections are less promising for Anderson. He could be very strong against the run, but he just doesn’t have the traits the Redskins should be seeking from a starting edge rusher. In an edge draft class as stacked at the 2019 NFL Draft, the Redskins can’t afford to be caught settling at the most important defensive position.
So who might the Redskins pick? Past Nick Bosa, no one is truly off the table. Josh Allen is unlikely, but as we’ve seen over the past few years, anyone can drop. The same goes for Brian Burns, who’s been mocked anywhere from the top five to the top twenty-five this offseason. Burns, in my opinion, is a top five player in the entire draft, and if the Redskins have the opportunity to pick him at No. 15, they have to pull the trigger. If he’s gone, players like Montez Sweat, Clelin Ferrell, and Jachai Polite could suffice as well.