The NFL has changed quite a bit over the last 24 hours, and free agency hasn’t even technically opened yet. Once the clock struck noon on Monday, and legal tampering was free to take place, a flurry of moves were made that shifted the landscape of the league.
We saw the Texans and Cardinals make a trade centered around DeAndre Hopkins that put Arizona in a position to win now, and Bill O’Brien at the but of every joke in the league; Austin Hooper came to terms with the Cleveland Browns on a deal that would make him the highest-paid TE in the league; Byron Jones agreed to a deal with the Miami Dolphins that towered over every CBs contract in the NFL; Amari Cooper spurned the Redskins to take less money and remain in Dallas with the Cowboys; Stefon Diggs finally got his wish and was traded to the Buffalo Bills for a massive haul of draft picks that left the Texans looking dumber than they already did; and Washington reunited with their old cornerback Kendall Fuller, bringing him back to D.C. where he always wanted to be.
That all took place on the first day. The morning of Day 2 has brought a message from Tom Brady that he will no longer be staying in New England and a signing from Drew Brees that will see him retire in New Orleans. We’re nowhere close to finished, either.
So on Day 2, what do we want to see from the Redskins? They had a tough first day, getting passed up by several of the big-name players, but that last second agreement with Fuller definitely lifted some spirits before #HTTR Twitter went to bed. The free agency landscape is different now, though, and some of Washington’s moves — like offering $110 million to Cooper — showed their cards a bit on what they desire to add to their roster this offseason. So before another move can be made and this becomes outdated, let’s get into it; here’s our updated ranking of free agents that the Redskins should look to snag this offseason.
No. 10 — CB Darqueze Dennard
The signing of Kendall Fuller late on Monday night definitely boosted the spirits of many Redskins fans who had been hopeful of a big addition all day but were left waiting. Now, with Fuller locked down in the slot, Fabian Moreau will be able to move to the outside where he’s proved much more effective, and Quinton Dunbar can continue his dominance on the other edge. Of course, we are uncertain about the future for Dunbar, so another CB addition would be huge for the defense. Dennard is a relatively cheap option that won’t break the bank but will improve the secondary greatly.
In his six years with the Cincinnati Bengals, he’s moved across the field with flexibility, racking up three interceptions and 22 defended passes in that time. His experience will be huge for a Redskins secondary that is currently lacking in veteran leadership outside of Fuller.
No. 9 — WR Demaryius Thomas
Going into free agency, we knew that the Redskins were after a wide receiver, but we didn’t quite know how badly they wanted a playmaker. After hearing that they offered Amari Cooper $110 million, the message has been received. This team is adamant about finding a pass-catcher that can mirror Terry McLaurin and help Dwayne Haskins and this offense soar. Demaryius Thomas might be a solid answer.
The five-time Pro Bowler is definitely on the back-nine of his career, and he’s struggled to find the right fit ever since being traded by the Denver Broncos in 2018. However, his veteran presence is exactly what the Redskins could use in the WR room as a young and talented group looks to find their footing in the NFL.
It wouldn’t be fair to expect the type of production we saw from Thomas from 2012-2014, where he totaled 35 touchdowns. However, Thomas could act as a reliable receiver out on the numbers while McLaurin and Harmon work to spread out the defense.
Thomas signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the New England Patriots in 2019, and the Redskins could get him on a similar deal in 2020.
No. 8 — LT Cedric Ogbuehi
With Trent Williams up and out of here, the left tackle position just became one of the biggest needs for the Redskins to fill going forward. As it stands now, second-year player Geron Christian Sr. is the starter on the depth chart, but that won’t stand throughout the offseason. The Redskins could look to draft another young LT, but they’ll be unlikely to find a starting-caliber player outside of the first round. That leaves free agency.
Unfortunately, this is a tough year to need a left tackle and be given the free-agent market to find one. There are only a few solid left tackle options that are under the age of 32, and many of them have yet to find a solid starting role for their prospective teams. Cedric Ogbuehi is one of the most solid options at the position, at 28-years-old. He was a former first-round pick from 2015, and he’s had a solid career as a swing tackle despite battling with injuries.
Ogbuehi is probably one of the Redskins’ best cheap options at the position, but they will have to put a lot of trust on his shoulders that he can perform.
No. 7 — TE Eric Ebron
Washington originally had eyes for Austin Hooper, but it became clear that they were uninterested in paying him the type of money that he desired. So who is a valuable TE that won’t completely break the bank? Ebron is an option. He’s had an up and down career so far, fit with stellar years in Indianapolis, as well as some pretty ugly years as well. Still, when he’s at his best, Ebron is a dynamic playmaker that can make a difference on offense.
Assuming that the Redskins use one of their mid-round draft picks on a young TE, bringing in Ebron to shore up the position immediately would be a smart move to make.
No. 6 — FS Tre Boston
The free safety position isn’t a major area of need for the Redskins, but depending on what they decide to do with Montae Nicholson, who has been decently productive, but has struggled with some off-the-field stuff in the past, it could become one of their biggest priorities. It wouldn’t come as a total shock to see Ron Rivera and the new coaching staff decide to start fresh at the position and look to sign a top-end safety.
Sticking with a trend that has been realized in Washington as of late, it makes a lot of sense to continue the string of Carolina Panthers that have flocked to the Redskins.
With 14 interceptions in his career, Boston would bring a great ball-hawking presence to the Redskins secondary, and his brief stint as a strong safety in Arizona with the Cardinals points to his ability to be a run-stopper as well — he has averaged 75 tackles per game over his last three seasons. Boston made just over $2.5 million in 2019, but he could stand to receive a solid payday once free agency rolls around if he were to sign in Washington.
No. 5 — TE Tyler Eifert
Like Ebron, Eifert has had a rocky career, but rather than a lack of ability, it is injuries that has derailed his time in the NFL thus far. When healthy, Eifert is one of the more talented TEs in the league.
While keeping him on the field will always be a risk going forward, his past injury history will keep Eifert cheap should Washington pursue him. If you are part of the camp that believes an injury-prone player like this will always stay injured, then it’s fine to want to pass. But if you think that Eifert’s tides can change along with Ron Rivera and the Redskins, this could be a huge pick-up for Washington.
No. 4 — CB Bashaud Breeland
The Redskins already reunited with Kendall Fuller, why not bring Bashaud Breeland back into the mix as well? While a big cornerback signing on Monday did some work to shore up the secondary in Washington, signing another veteran CB would do wonders for the defense.
It also makes sense for the Redskins to try and convince Breeland to come back home to where he was drafted. The team let him walk in free agency in 2017, but many were sad to see him go. Pairing up the tandem of Fuller and Breeland would seem very fitting for the Redskins, and it makes quite a bit of financial sense as well.
No. 3 — WR Robby Anderson
We now know how badly the Redskins desire to add another playmaking wide receiver into the mix, and Anderson stands as one of the best on the open market.
Known for his profound ability to burn past the defense and secure the deep ball, Anderson would do well to take the cap off of opposing secondaries and allow the rest of the Redskins’ WR corps to find holes inside. Having two burners like Anderson and Terry McLaurin on the roster would be scary for any defensive coordinator to game plan against, and if Dwayne Haskins can make the leap that we’re expecting, this could become one of the better receiver duos in the NFL.
No. 2 — LT Kelvin Beachum
In a sparse left tackle market, Kelvin Beachum stands out as the most attractive option for a team that just had their seven-time Pro-Bowler left to find a trade. Beachum has been a solid player for the New York Jets for the past three years, and he graded out with an above-average PFF blocking rating in 2019, despite the Jets being far below the midline on the offensive front.
Unlike Trent Williams, Beachum will likely come at a much cheaper number, closer to $10 million per year, rather than the $20 that Williams would have required. Though he is getting a bit past his prime at age 31, it would make sense for the Redskins to try and sign Beachum on a 1-2 year deal while they look to draft a young LT and develop both him and Geron Christain.
No. 1 — WR Emmanuel Sanders
Washington wants a playmaking receiver and needs a veteran voice in the locker room. Emmanuel Sanders offers both of those things.
While he may not have the upside that players like Amari Cooper or Stefon Diggs do, Sanders is a proven winner and he helped spur the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl last season. His quick feet and deadly burst make him a tough one-on-one cover, and his surefire hands remind you of someone else on the Washington depth chart — Terry McLaurin. The two actually have a lot of similarities in their games and make-ups, and McLaurin could learn a ton from the veteran WR.
He won’t be the cheapest option, but the Redskins have shown that they are willing to spend big money on a playmaker that can help them win now.
