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Washington Football Team’s greatest undrafted free agents

By Jonathan Eig

WASHINGTON, D.C. - SEPTEMBER 16: Joe Jacoby #66 of the Washington Redskins in action against the New York Giants during an NFL football game September 16, 1984 at RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C.. Jacoby played for the Redskins from 1981-93. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - SEPTEMBER 16: Joe Jacoby #66 of the Washington Redskins in action against the New York Giants during an NFL football game September 16, 1984 at RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C.. Jacoby played for the Redskins from 1981-93. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 22: Steven Sims #15 of the Washington Football Team reacts after scoring a touchdown against against the New York Giants during the first half at FedExField on December 22, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 22: Steven Sims #15 of the Washington Football Team reacts after scoring a touchdown against against the New York Giants during the first half at FedExField on December 22, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Honorable Mentions

Here are five players – or sometimes groups of players – who didn’t quite fit – but still deserve a shout-out.

Hugh “Bones” Taylor

Bones came to the Washington Football Team in 1947, so I am letting him stand for all those pre-1970 players whom I am conveniently ignoring. Tall and skinny, Taylor retired in 1954 as WFT’s all-time leading receiver. He had multiple seasons in which he averaged over 20 yards per catch. As UDFAs go, you don’t get much better than Bones.

Nate Newton

Yes — that Nate Newton. Six-time Pro Bowler. Three-time Super Bowl champ. Helped pave the way for Emmitt Smith to become the all-time leading rusher in NFL history. The Washington Football Team originally signed that Nate Newton. And then cut him. Let him stand for all those UDFAs that got away. (I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t mind seeing WFT signee Zach Pascal in the receivers room right now.)

Steven Sims, Jr.

It’s just too soon. Maybe next year.

The Tight Ends

256 games. 132 receptions. 1,354 yards. 17 touchdowns. No — they’re not HOF numbers. But that’s what the trio of Logan Paulsen, James Jenkins, and Zeron Flemister gave WFT. Plus, Jenkins was an awesome blocker. Wouldn’t mind having any of them lining up at TE this year.

The Linebackers

This is where the Washington Football Team’s UDFAs truly shine. There may be a reason for that, but I’m not smart enough to figure it out. Still, when you can find the likes of Pete Wysocki, Greg Manusky, Antonio Pierce, and Will Compton floating around after the draft, that’s not too shabby. And those are just the honorable mentions. There’s a lot more where that came from.

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