Breaking down the Redskins pending free agents for 2021

The Old Guys

These are vets who have spent some time with the Redskins, and who should play a valuable role in 2020

RB Adrian Peterson. It has to end some day, right? The plan is for Peterson to spell Derrius Guice, and if Guice stays healthy, it’s a good plan. Peterson can still produce, but he has begun to show a rather common issue for aging running backs. He’ll have one good game, but rarely two in a row. It seems to be getting harder and harder for the future Hall of Famer to bounce back week after week.

Still, if Guice falters, expect to see another big workload for the seemingly ageless AP. If, on the other hand, Guice finally is able to play a full season, this is likely the finale for Peterson — at least in Washington.

TE Jeremy Sprinkle. Sprinkle is a legit professional tight end. He is not a great one, but he has a place. The problem with the Redskins roster isn’t Sprinkle. It’s that Sprinkle may be the best thing they have. He can block, and his pass catching is improving. He needs someone like Logan Thomas or Thaddeus Moss to step up and assume the mantle of receiving threat. It’s very difficult to predict whether there will be a role for Sprinkle in DC next year, but there will definitely be a role for him somewhere in the league.

OG Brandon Scherff. This is really what it’s about. You could let every other player walk next year. You cannot lose Scherff. With Trent Williams three thousand miles away, Scherff is far and away the best offensive lineman on the team. He is the anchor. The Redskins have franchised him, and he will make a lot of money this year.

The assumption is that Redskins want to assess whether his recent run of injuries are a long-term concern before committing to a long-term contract. If he shows up at camp missing both legs, I’d say they have cause for concern. But if he’s only missing one of them, I’d sign him.

C Chase Roullier. The people I talk to seem divided on Roullier. Some think he has done well as a starting center. Others see him get pushed around a little too much. To me, Roullier is the textbook definition of serviceable. He can play, and he will play. With the enthusiasm we’re hearing for 2020 draftee Keith Ismael, Roullier may not be playing in DC in 2021, but he’ll be playing somewhere. If Ismael doesn’t pan out, they could do far worse than re-signing Roullier.

DE Ryan Kerrigan. Things will be very different for Kerrigan in 2020. The best Redskin defender for most of the past decade will have a new position – his more natural spot as a 4-3 DE – and most likely will become a situational pass rusher. If Chase Young plays anywhere near expectations, and Montez Sweat continues his improvement, Kerrigan becomes a luxury. That’s why Kerrigan joins Ryan Anderson on my list of most likely trade bait, especially if the season is not going well come late October.

CB Fabian Moreau. The Redskins thought they were getting a real steal when Moreau fell to them in the third round of the 2017 draft. This is the year we will see if they were right. He has shown signs. He has played mostly in the slot, but Kendall Fuller should take over inside with Moreau becoming a steady outside corner, competing with Jimmy Moreland and Darby for the top spot. If he does not emerge, he will get more chances – he is too young and talented to give up on – but he might not get those chances in DC.