Washington Football Team: Potential cap casualties to target this offseason

LB Benardrick McKinney, Texans

When I look at Benardrick McKinney, I see a classic 4-3 middle linebacker. I think he has been out of place playing inside in a 3-4, and Houston’s scheme under new defensive coordinator Lovie Smith may convert to a 4-3.

But Smith has tended to favor defenses that play both safeties deep, and that requires more coverage from a middle linebacker.

McKinney is adequate in coverage. For a big man – 6-foot-4, almost 260 pounds – he moves well. But you could find more mobile players for that role, and the Texans may decide to let McKinney go. Were Washington to acquire him, you would get a bigger version of Jon Bostic in the middle.

Of course, this is Houston we’re talking about. So who really knows what they will do?

TE Cameron Brate, Buccaneers

Cameron Brate caught four passes for 80 yards against the Washington Football Team in Tampa’s wild card round victory this past January. It wasn’t spectacular, and nobody paid much attention.

But it mattered in the game. That’s kind of the way Brate’s entire career has gone.

Playing predominantly as a backup, over the past five years, Brate has averaged more than five TDs per season. He is not a blocker by any means. But he could be a very valuable receiving partner for starting tight end Logan Thomas, helping free up the middle of field, and occasionally making a defense pay with a big play.

Brate played behind Rob Gronkowski in 2020. Even if Gronkowski chooses to re-retire, O.J. Howard will be back from injury in 2021. And I figure Gronk is coming back, which means Tampa will find it hard to hold onto a guy like Brate.

None of these players figure to be real game-changers for the Washington Football Team. But each could contribute something the team needs, and at a reasonable cost.

From this point on, there will be dozens of names floating around out there at any given moment. Keep an eye on how other teams are juggling their rosters and cap positions. Because this is when it really gets interesting.