There is a lot of uncertainty as we head into the start of the free agency period in the NFL next week, not just for the Washington Redskins, but for the league at large. While the majority of the sporting world has shut down to fears of the covid-19 coronavirus, the NFL currently says that there are no plans to delay the league year at this time. For now, we have to operate under the assumption that this is true.
So once that free agency period opens, who will the Redskins look to sign to a new deal? The Athletic gave a home for the top 100 free agents on the market and pegged four of them to land in Washington this offseason. Let’s take a look at who those four players are, and figure out if we agree or not.
CB James Bradberry — Ranked No. 14
Bradberry should find a nice market, but this one makes too much sense not to happen. New coach Ron Rivera knows him well from their time together in Carolina, and Washington needs help at cornerback.
Bradberry has been one of the bigger prospective names for the Redskins to look at this offseason, mainly due to their desperate need at the cornerback position, coupled with his prior relationship with Ron Rivera. However, I don’t see this signing happening. Recent reports suggest that Bradberry is likely to ask for a contract that sees him paid close to $15 million per season, and the Redskins may not wish to pony up that type of money.
Instead, the Redskins could choose to sign a pair of cheaper cornerbacks and add some much-needed depth to their secondary. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them target someone like Kendall Fuller and Darqueze Dennard.
RG Brandon Scherff — Ranked No. 18
He seems destined to return to Washington on either the franchise tag or an extension.
This seems like a no-brainer for the Redskins, and we fully expect it to happen. Since being drafted by Washington early in the first round of the 2015 draft, Scherff has grown into one of the best guards in the NFL, and now he’s likely to get paid as such. That should be no matter for the Redskins, though, as they have ample amounts of salary cap space and a desire to keep one of their better players in house for the foreseeable future. The question is whether or not the two sides will be able to work out a contract extension, or if the Redskins will be forced to place the franchise tag on him. One way or another, Scherff will be in Washington next season.
LB Blake Martinez — Ranked No. 48
Martinez’s film isn’t as good as his numbers, but he’s posted more tackles (441) than any player in the NFL over the last three seasons. That’s production Rivera can work with, and Washington needs a middle linebacker.
We highlighted earlier this year that Martinez could be a player that the Redskins could likely target in free agency, as he fills a definite need on the defense going forward. If all things go according to plan, and the Redskins are able to bring back Reuben Foster to join Cole Holcomb at the second-level, Martinez would be a great addition. On top of that, Washington is likely to retain Jon Bostic as well, pairing him with Shaun Dion Hamilton and giving the team some solid depth in the defensive core.
WR Demarcus Robinson — Ranked No. 93
They need at least one more wide receiver to pair with Terry McLaurin. Robinson was on the field for 70% of Kansas City’s offensive snaps last season and flashed at times, catching 32 balls for 449 yards and four touchdowns.
The Washington Redskins need some depth at the wide receiver, and while it would be beneficial to sign a veteran player that is capable of offering leadership to the young receiving corps, it would be hard to pass up on someone with the skill and speed of Robinson. Coming off of a successful Super Bowl run with the Kansas City Chiefs, Robinson could see a healthy free agency market as he showed his ability as a deep threat and versatile player with the ball in his hands with the Chiefs. Someone with that skill-set lining up opposite Terry McLaurin would be very intriguing.
