15 best free agent targets for the Washington Football Team
![Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/9ebb34f67d6a60facfa011eb103a2ed5f0e870912660913869c0e09919494f2a.jpg)
Free agency is here and with it will come change for the Washington Football Team. The team is coming off an NFC East title, but they only posted a 7-9 record. They have a strong foundation, but they also have a lot of areas to improve.
The good news is that Washington has plenty of cap space in an offseason where many teams will be cap-strapped. There have already been a lot of cuts across the NFL, so the supply of free agents may be greater than the demand for them. That could create some nice values later in the offseason.
But with March 15 here and the 2021 free-agent tampering period about to begin, Washington will be focused on getting some big upgrades. Here’s a look at the 15 best free-agent fits (in no particular order) for the team including some top-tier players and some of the previously discussed value options.
1. WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
With Allen Robinson and Chris Godwin getting slapped with the franchise tag, Smith-Schuster is now the top receiver left on the market. At just 24 years old, Smith-Schuster already has four years of NFL experience under his belt and has the skill-set needed to be a No. 1 receiver.
Last season, Smith-Schuster was the most consistent receiving option in a Pittsburgh Steelers offense that was held back a bit by Ben Roethlisberger’s inability to consistently throw the ball downfield.
Smith-Schuster had 97 catches for 831 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns last year. He was great in the red-zone at both getting open and making contested catches and should only get better as his career goes along.
Even more impressive: Though Smith-Schuster averaged just 8.6 yards per catch last year, he still has a career average of 12.1 through four seasons. He can be a downfield threat and has a nice combination of strength, athletic ability, and route-running skills.
Smith-Schuster would be an ideal complement to Terry McLaurin and would be able to grow alongside the dynamic Ohio State product. With those two in the fold along with Cam Sims, Kelvin Harmon, and Antonio Gandy-Golden, the Washington offense would be set up for long-term success at the wide receiver spot.