Redskins: Free agent thoughts on Brandon Scherff, Amari Cooper, Austin Hooper
By Tim Meek
Top skill position players
Ok, we all like the big boys up front, but those skill players make the big money for a reason. Let’s take a look at wide receiver and tight end. As a new contributor to Riggo’s Rag, many of you are likely unaware of my infatuation with Terry McLaurin. I’m a total McLaurin stan and have been since he was drafted last April.
Terry just happens to be from my hometown of Indianapolis, and before I get carried away, I think it’s safe to say most Redskins fans would agree one of the WR spots is in good hands with Terry. They also have great young talent with Sims and Harmon.
But speculation among fans and media appears centered around adding a veteran presence to the Redskins young group. That certainly makes sense. But as I mentioned prior, at what cost?
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Amari Cooper has been rumored to be a potential Redskins target. According to Spotrac, Cooper’s market value is projected to be $98 million over five years with an average yearly salary of nearly $20 million. That’s an incredibly high price to pay for a Redskins team who may already have a more dynamic player at the position. So, let’s hold the Amari speculation for a moment and take a look at something else, then we’ll revisit Cooper.
Tight end is a position that has evolved. In the past, tight ends were considered to be sixth offensive lineman. But the position has changed. Tight ends have become dynamic pass catching weapons capable of creating mismatches. Some of the most successful franchises in the NFL use the tight end as the centerpiece of their offense. For evidence, look no further than the Super Bowl, which featured two of the best tight ends in the game, Travis Kelce and George Kittle.
The Patriots have built a dynasty with the position as a focal point for Tom Brady and the passing game. As Redskins fans, I doubt you need to be convinced of the value of the position. We’ve seen over and over again, many times by Zach Ertz and Jason Witten, the inability of Redskins defenses to cover the position.
So that leads us to Austin Hooper, who in the opinion of many is the top free-agent tight end on the market. Hooper is a durable player entering his fifth season. In four years, he’s missed five games. His statistics improved every year. He’s a capable blocker who could add a dual-threat element the Redskins have desperately missed from the position for a long time.
Let me say that again, dual-threat. While I won’t pretend to be an expert on the X’s and O’s of the game, I do listen to those who are and I’ve watched the game long enough to understand. When a team can scheme up an offense that looks the same on every play, whether it be the personnel and/or formation, that creates an enormous advantage. Its something the Redskins have not been able to do with Reed and Davis in recent years. The Redskins were basically showing their hand when Reed was in the game, opposing defenses knew the Redskins would likely pass.
But how much will Hooper cost the Redskins? Spotrac estimates and annual salary of $10 million. The number Spotrac released might be a bit low, I’ve read from multiple sources the number will be around $11 million per year, which would top the TE position group.
Don’t let that scare you, though. It’s completely normal for a player like Hooper who is good, but not the top player at his position, to be the highest-paid player. It’s all about timing. He’s hitting free agency at the right time and remember, he’ll only be the highest-paid player until next year. With a new CBA deal on the horizon, these upper-tier salaries will only grow larger. Also remember, Hooper is young, he should only get better.