Brian Westbrook Could Sign With Redskins: Fantasy Implications

Jason LaCanfora on Twitter is reporting that there is ”a good chance” we could hear a decision from running back Brian Westbrook as early as today, and the leading team could be his hometown Redskins, which could have a significant impact on the fantasy landscape.

We are already all too familiar with the relationship that quarterback Donovan McNabb has with Westbrook. In McNabb's career, he has thrown more touchdown passes to Westbrook than to any other player on the Eagles.

We already know that there are severe issues in the backfield in Washington that begin with high-mileage Clinton Portis and his sub-par camp thus far, and oft-troubled Larry Johnson, who hasn’t done much to impress.

We already know that there are some questions regarding the skill level of the Redskins receiving corp outside of tight end Chris Cooley, so adding a double-threat like Westbrook would really sure up some things for the Redskins, and make them much more dangerous.

But what about Westbrook’s potential fantasy value?

The system Washington is deploying this year is very similar to what both Westbrook and McNabb have run together in the past.

The team has already begun integrating Cooley more into the passing game, which means this team could cash in on the short passing game and red zone opportunities, which could bode well for Westbrook and increase his potential as a low-end PPR sleeper.

And finally, the motley crew at wide receiver hasn't really offered anything encouraging to fantasy owners as of yet, with Roydell Williams and Bobby Wade still fighting it out, Devin Thomas wondering if he’ll ever get to play, and Malcolm Kelly being added to a growing laundry list of NFL players getting injured.

For a full updated list of players you should know about who are injured, please follow this link.

In the end, Westbrook coming to Washington may be a better-than-expected situation for fantasy owners looking for a late-round sleeper that will have a huge impact in the 2010-11 season.