Now that the Super Bowl has been played and free agency is approaching in a week, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be looking at the top three needs for each team. Today, the Washington Redskins are the focus. The Redskins have the 21st pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and a few key players will hit the free agency market this year, most notably nose tackle Terrance Knighton, running back Alfred Morris, and outside linebacker Junior Galette.
Washington Redskins 2016 Off-Season: Top 3 Needs
Safety
The Redskins still have not found a long-term solution at safety. Deangelo Hall made the transition from cornerback to strong safety last season and thrived, but he turns 33 in November. Dashon Goldson is a solid player, but he turns 32 in September and he is a potential cap casualty. Backup Duke Ihenacho is a free agent and Jeron Johnson is just an average backup. 2015 sixth-round pick Kyshoen Jarrett is the youngster of the group and he bounced from slot corner to strong safety last season.
The Redskins aren’t likely to spend big money on a safety in free agency, but a solid starter like Rodney McLeod could be acquired for a reasonable amount. The safety class in the draft is not very strong, but a player like Vonn Bell in the second or third round is a possibility.
Inside Linebacker
Keenan Robinson is a free agent and he was benched during the season, so he probably won’t be retained. Mason Foster is also a free agent, but he was a solid contributor during his limited playing time and he could be retained as a cheaper option than Perry Riley Jr. Speaking of Riley Jr., he’s in the last year of a three-year deal and his cap hit is over $5 million, so he is a cap casualty possibility. Will Compton played surprisingly well in 2015, but he’s still relatively inexperienced. 2015 fifth-round selection Martrell Spaight will also have an opportunity to get onto the field in 2016.
The Redskins may opt to go the cheapest route by cutting Perry Riley Jr. and re-signing Mason Foster, but even then an inexpensive backup should be acquired in free agency. However, the Redskins could decide to invest in a middle linebacker during the draft, and Reggie Ragland is a first-round player who could thrive in the Redskins 3-4 scheme. However, a player like Blake Martinez in a later round is a more likely option.
Cornerback
Bashaud Breeland is an underrated cornerback and he is not going anywhere, but the other starting position is shaky. Chris Culliver is recovering from a major injury and he is a possible cap casualty. Cary Williams is nothing more than a mediocre depth player. Quinton Dunbar was not even a cornerback heading into last season, but he had to play in a playoff game because the Redskins lack cornerback depth.
The Redskins will likely address this position in both free agency and the draft. A veteran backup in free agency and an elite player in the draft would be the best case scenario for Washington. Morris Claiborne is an interesting option, as he did not pan out in Dallas, but he is still only 26. In the draft, Mackensie Alexander and Eli Apple are excellent options in the first round.
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