No. 2 – Ron Rivera gets his Luke Kuechly in Washington
When looking at the big names options in free agency for the Washington Football Team, it is easy to pinpoint one position for Washington to target: Wide receiver. With an array of options like Allen Robinson, Chris Godwin and Kenny Golladay, and Washington’s need for more playmakers, it is easy to pinpoint why the Washington Football Team would target one of the big-name wide recievers.
That may not be the case though. This wide reciever class is very deep, boasting quality talents like Corey Davis a little ways down the board. And the draft is an embarrassment of riches for wide recievers. It is very plausible that Ron Rivera and Co. do not invest in a big-name wide reciever, with the emergence of Terry McLaurin as true No. 1.
Ron Rivera has said multiple times that linebacker needs to get better on defense. Linebacker is typically one of the positions that draft prospects take the longest time to adjust to at the next level. Rivera may want to look for his answer at linebacker in free agency. And there so happens to be a really good option in free agency.
Lavonte David was one of the most underrated linebackers in the NFL during the 2010’s. According to PFF, he has the highest coverage grade for linebackers since 2016. He put his elite coverage ability on display in the Super Bowl. He helped neutralize one of the game’s best tight ends, Travis Kelce.
The Washington Football Team has long searched for an elite coverage linebacker. Lavonte David could solve that problem. The downside to David is he is already over 30 years old, and his best days could be behind him.
That is the risk you take with signing Lavonte David, and he won’t come cheap. Spotrac expects him to sign a three-year deal at about $12.7M a year (3-yr, $38.1M). Not exactly a cheap option. However, given the team’s need, David’s elite and consistent play, as well as Rivera’s desire to fill the middle of the defense, Lavonte David is a name to watch out for.