Redskins Reality Checks: An offseason report card and prescription
By Tim Payne
![LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 14: A Washington Redskins fan stands on the sidelines as they play the Jacksonville Jaguars at FedExField on September 14, 2014 in Landover, Maryland. The Washington Redskins won, 41-10. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 14: A Washington Redskins fan stands on the sidelines as they play the Jacksonville Jaguars at FedExField on September 14, 2014 in Landover, Maryland. The Washington Redskins won, 41-10. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/cb86e123d5e2cddd6eecd705df3af2b3516e9b520e0175beac863de050aa7457.jpg)
Redskins checklist for the rest of the offseason
With the Reality Checks out of the way, here’s my checklist for how the Redskins can finish the offseason on a high note.
- Recognize the Redskins’ horizon for true Superbowl contention is the 2021-2023 seasons, and make all roster decisions with that horizon in mind.
- Go after a cheap EDGE on a long-term deal with low guarantees in free agency.
- Shop Josh Norman to a contender in return for some young developing assets and draft capital.
- Shop Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis both in return for young developing assets and draft capital.
- Fill remaining roster gaps with serviceable veterans on one to two-year deals, or young players with upside on three to four-year deals. Think T.J. Lang at guard for $8 million over two years, Tre Boston for one year at $5 million, and Michael Crabtree for two years at $6 million total.
- Extend Brandon Scherff for $90 million over eight years, with $45 million guaranteed; structured to frontload the cap hits into 2019 and 2020 to balance out the Landon Collins deal.
- Extend Tress Way through the end of the 2023 season.
- Draft Brian Burns (EDGE), Greedy Williams (CB), or T.J. Hockenson (TE) with the No. 15 pick.
- Top fifteen picks should be used on building blocks at premium positions. Quarterback, EDGE, offensive tackle, cornerback, and maybe the super-rare, do-everything tight end or defensive tackle. Since we’re currently set at offensive tackle and defensive tackle, and I don’t think a quarterback worthy of this pick will fall to us, I would take one of these three guys at No. 15. It’s highly doubtful that all three are gone before we’re on the clock.
- Draft the best player available of those three positions, wide receiver and safety, in the second round.
- Draft the best guard available in the third round,
- Draft pure best player available from the third round comp pick on, with an eye on ending the draft with: Quarterback, EDGE, tight end, cornerback, wide receiver, safety and guard all drafted.
- And finally, drop the prices of all concessions and parking at FedEx field. Give away tickets to schools, first responders, and youth programs. Create a true home-field advantage even if you lose money doing so. Dan Snyder’s gotten rich off this franchise. Now it’s time to do what it takes to build a winner from the ground up.
The Reality Is, if the Redskins were to do these things, Chief Zee and I would be proud. And they might convince me they have turned a corner from roster-building to franchise-building. Will they? You know I’ll be watching to find out.
Next. Re-ordering the Redskins draft needs after free agency. dark
Like my idea? Think I’m an idiot? Let me know @TheRealityIs__ In the mean time, #HTTR and enjoy your roster building.