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Washington Football Team: Five “don’ts” in 2021 free agency

By Ian Cummings

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 22: Hunter Henry #86 of the Los Angeles Chargers spikes the ball after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the New York Jets at SoFi Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 22: Hunter Henry #86 of the Los Angeles Chargers spikes the ball after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the New York Jets at SoFi Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 24: Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers walks across the field before the NFC Championship game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lambeau Field on January 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 24: Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers walks across the field before the NFC Championship game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lambeau Field on January 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

No. 5 – DON’T spend more than $2 million for a running back

I’ll keep this one brief.

The Washington Football Team has Antonio Gibson, a budding star on offense, who has incredibly high upside and versatility. They also have J.D. McKissic still under contract. Ditto the versatility. Double the pass catching ability. The Washington Football Team does not need to waste considerable assets on a No. 3 running back. It’s just not prudent.

Running backs do matter, but the fact of the matter is, they’re simply more replaceable than other positions, and their success is more dependent on their surroundings than others. That means that, more often than not, the cost-effective option is to pool less financial resources into the running back position. The overall supply of competency is higher, and Washington already has two very good backs in their stable.

Take a look at some of the top free agents at running back. Philip Lindsay went undrafted. Marlon Mack, Mike Davis, and James White were all Day 3 picks. So was Aaron Jones, the Packers’ touchdown machine. Chris Carson was a seventh-rounder.

The Washington Football Team shouldn’t spend more than $2 million on a running back in free agency. But if you’re asking me, why not just try and find the next Philip Linsday, or the next Chris Carson, in the 2021 NFL Draft, or in the undrafted pool? Either way, save as much money as possible for other, more pivotal positions. Investing at running back in free agency would be a wasteful maneuver.

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