Free Agent or Draft: How Should the Redskins Fill Their Biggest Holes?

The 2015 offseason is an exciting time for the Washington Redskins and their fans. With Scot McCloughan in place as the first real general manager in years, the draft and free agency are now promising avenues for building and replenishing the roster.

The hope for this offseason is that overpaid free agents and disappointing draft picks will be a thing of the past.

Now the Redskins must figure out where their best options for talent lie. Do they go all in with the draft with all of their needs? Or do they take a chance on a big name in free agency?

Here's a look at how Washington should fill its most pressing needs this offseason.

Cornerback

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

David Amerson regressed in his first full season as a starter. It was expected there would be some growing pains, especially since there was no reliable free safety help, but he was awful in 2014.

The problem was magnified when rookie Bashaud Breeland was forced into the starting lineup due to DeAngelo Hall suffering a torn Achilles.

Quinten Rollins out of Miami of Ohio is a physical corner with the potential to be a starter within a couple of years with proper coaching.

Granted, no one wants to hear about the raw prospect who could be good or may end up a starter, but that’s the gamble of the draft. Anyone would be better than Amerson the way he played in 2014.

More importantly, drafting a corner keeps the Redskins from angling for the likes of Darrelle Revis or Brandon Flowers and overpaying for a position they can draft and mold to their liking.

Verdict: Draft

Defensive End

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

This is perhaps not one of the flashy needs the Redskins have this offseason but definitely one that could affect their defense in a big way. Stephen Bowen was released after battling injuries and carrying a contract that was too rich to justify. Washington may retain Jarvis Jenkins, but he has been largely ineffective as a starter.

The draft has some good players at the position, but grabbing any one of the top prospects would mean ignoring more pressing needs.

Look no further than the biggest prize of the 2015 offseason in the Detroit Lions' Ndamukong Suh.

Suh is easily one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL today and would bring a nasty presence to the Redskins defense. Not only does he have a mean streak, but he is a proven playmaker with several good years in front of him.

Maybe it is too rich of a bidding war to get involved in, but if the Redskins want to add talent, experience and a true presence to their defensive front, they will find no one better on the market.

Verdict: Free Agency

Outside Linebacker

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

There will be much more made of Brian Orakpo’s likely departure from Washington. He was good but not great, and when the Redskins needed him to step up or show something, he got hurt.

Ryan Kerrigan is just fine on his own at outside linebacker but would be better suited to have a running mate on the opposite side. A strong-side pass-rushing linebacker, a legitimate game-changer, would be an immense addition to the Redskins defense.

Clemson’s Vic Beasley is a physical phenom, boasting speed (4.53 40-yard dash) and strength (35 bench press reps), while Nebraska’s Randy Gregory (6'5", 235 lbs) has a Julius Peppers quality to his build and ability.

Offensive line may be a more pressing need, what with the importance of protecting the quarterback and all, but a playmaker on defense would help the team just as much if not more considering the need for improvement on the defensive side of the ball.

Verdict: Draft

Free Safety

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Far too often teams are overly willing to pay out the nose for a position like free safety. Sure, there are game-changing players at the position, but few are truly worth the price they net on the open market.

The Redskins have a huge need at free safety but cannot spend a ton of money on a high-profile player like Devin McCourty or Rahim Moore.

The draft has an array of talent, though much of it is rough. However, it is easier to mold a prospect than it is to regret paying millions upon millions on a free agent who did nothing but disappoint.

Landon Collins is the top-rated safety but is merely the most pro-ready prospect on the board. The depth of the class means the Redskins can afford to spend a pick in the third or fourth rounds and get a great prospect.

Seniors like Kurtis Drummond and Cody Prewitt offer promising options at the free safety position, and they are reliable options at the very least.

Verdict: Draft

Guard

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

Unlike the crop of talent at the tackle position in this year's draft, guard depth is more of a question. Many of the prospects, such as La'el Collins and even Brandon Scherff, may better project to the NFL as guards.

With their first two picks dedicated to positions of greater need, there is no reason to spend another early-round pick on a potential project lineman a la Spencer Long.

The San Francisco 49ers' Mike Iupati is arguably the best lineman on the market in 2015 and poses the least amount of risk for the Redskins, though he may come at a steep price. Current Redskins GM Scot McCloughan scouted Iupati, which means the inherent concern regarding a player's physical history is not an issue.

Another cheaper option would be the Seattle Seahawks' James Carpenter, who also has the McCloughan stamp of approval—though nowhere near the accolades Iupati has earned.

Iupati would immediately upgrade the offensive line, as incumbent left guard Shawn Lauvao was disappointing in 2014 and Chris Chester continued to struggle in pass protection.

Verdict: Free Agency

Right Tackle

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The Redskins haven't had a set of bookend tackles since Chris Samuels and Jon Jansen donned the burgundy and gold in the early 2000s. Since then, there has been an inconsistent rotation of players on both sides, leaving Washington's quarterbacks without reliable outside protection.

Trent Williams is a franchise left tackle, but there's no one currently on the roster capable of being the rock at right tackle.

This year's draft offers a lot of potential candidates for the job, particularly Iowa's Brandon Scherff and to some extent Pittsburgh's T.J. Clemmings. The Redskins are in desperate need of locking down that position, and either guy could step in Day 1 and start.

The crop of free-agent tackles is weak, with many potential options being too old, too inconsistent or too expensive.

Verdict: Draft