Santonio Holmes: Washington Redskins to Target Jets Receiver Post-Lockout

Few teams have suffered more during the NFL lockout than the Washington Redskins. Past years have seen Redskins fans lament the start of free agency, but with the market projection showing a deep receiver class, attitudes have changed.

With offensive firepower lacking in Washington, the report that Santonio Holmes is a "primary objective" in free agency is no surprise.

Holmes has been an explosive receiver in his five-year career spent with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets. The former Super Bowl MVP is just 27 years old and is coming off of a good season with the Jets. His numbers are reminiscent of former Jet and current Redskins' receiver Santana Moss.

If the Redskins do not re-sign Moss, Holmes would be the No. 1 receiver with Anthony Armstrong occupying the second spot and rookie Leonard Hankerson as the third receiver.

Holmes is just one season removed from a 1,284-yard season with the Steelers and would be a terrific replacement for Moss.

Life for the Redskins would be easier if they could bring in Holmes, retain Moss and allow Armstrong and Hankerson to grow as players. Armstrong had a strong showing last season, but is nowhere near ready to shoulder a starter's load.

The likes of sophomore's Brandon Banks and Terrence Austin along with rookies Niles Paul and Aldrick Robinson have the makings of role players for Washington, but the lockout means their fates remain undecided.

Without the luxury of mini-camps and OTAs, the late-round draft picks don't have the proper stage to show their talents to coaches.

The Redskins have a lot of needs on both sides of the ball, but the offense is lacking certainty at quarterback, which trumps all else. John Beck and Donovan McNabb are under contract, but Beck has played the part of the starter during the player-led workouts, while McNabb has maintained his Arizona workouts. Rex Grossman has attended the player workouts, but is without a contract for next season.

Obscured by the quarterback issue are the questions in the receiving corps that will only be exacerbated if Moss is not re-signed after the lockout.

If Holmes is in and Moss is out, there is no real improvement. No one knows if Armstrong can be a full-fledged No. 2, or if Holmes will be the type of player Moss is. Free agency, this offseason more than ever, is a crapshoot for the Redskins.

Since the beginning of Dan Snyder's ownership, free agency has been a sore subject for Redskin fans. Paying out the nose for players past their prime or failing to get anything out of a player seemingly on the cusp of their prime has become a tradition in Washington.

Holmes is a young receiver, but could just as easily be another overpaid addition to the Redskins roster. 

No one is certain what the grand plan for the future is, but the Redskins have tagged Holmes as the first piece for this year's puzzle. Hopefully he isn't just the next merchandise-seller du jour, and the Redskins make the right move for him, Moss and the team.