Washington Redskins: Top 10 Free Agents to Target

There was an amazing sound of unity on Monday. Every single NFL fan bellowed a sigh of relief as the NFL lockout was lifted. Now we can get to all the fun stuff. 

The lockout was threatening to take out nearly all of the preseason games, and put a pall on one of the most beloved sports in the world. 

In fact, I was beginning to worry if there would be any tailgates, or Sunday barbecues with the NFL on the TV this season. One of my more beloved tasks in the offseason, besides fantasy football scouting, is picking through the long list of free agents each team will be targeting.

One of the most interesting teams to be stepping through the door, and into the free agent market, is the Washington Redskins.

They have needs all over the field. The Redskins can address a great many positions, but the most important will be at; cornerback, inside linebacker, right tackle and wide receiver.

The most pressing also happens to be the most important. The Redskins will have to get out and get aggressive if they want to thwart another dismal season. 

The difficult task of convincing free agents to dawn a Redskins jersey gets ratcheted up ten fold this year. The lockout has made the free agency period a swift one. 

Normally a process that takes weeks will happen in days, and there are more than just the Redskins looking to solve their issues. So whatever moves that need to take place will happen extremely quickly. 

It will be a rare sight when the NFL free agency period resembles more of a speed-dating atmosphere. If you are going to fall in love, you better do it quickly starting Tuesday. 

Here is a rundown of the 10 best fits the Redskins should target as free agency begins in the NFL. We are also looking at players that were on the Redskins last season. Rankings based on talent, need and how much the signing would affect the team.  

Let's get ready for some football. 

10. Rex Grossman: QB

First things first. You have to make sure you have at least two quarterbacks before you lock up a third. Signing Grossman gives the Redskins the luxury of depth behind John Beck. 

This is the cheapest way to ensure you have at least one live arm when the season starts. I am confident the Redskins look to lock up Grossman before they go window shopping for a much bigger and better name in free agency. 

9. Sidney Rice: WR

Sidney Rice is one of a few receivers the Redskins will target to lead an otherwise deplorable corps. However, if they can nab a talent like Rice, it transforms the outlook on the whole season. 

What makes me confident that the Redskins will near a Rice signing is that they are one of the few teams that can afford his price tag. 

One of the best receivers in the game will want just compensation. It is a good thing for Washington that he is not the only game in town, there are other receivers worth the money on the market. 

8. Cullen Jenkins: DE

The Washington Redskins went from a 4-3 front to a 3-4 a year ago. When they did so, they failed to run it by their big acquisition, Albert Haynesworth. 

To no fault of their own, there has been a huge fallout. The Redskins will be looking for a defensive end that is much more amenable to their desires. 

Jenkins not only gives them that, but he also wants to play in Washington, according to an NBC Sports report dated in May. 

What was true then remains. You can bet that Washington will give this pass rushing monster a gander in a few short hours. 

7. Santana Moss: WR

It ill be hard to imagine a Redskins season without Santana Moss. He has been the consistent wideout for Washington going on five season now. 

The fact is, the Redskins need an upgrade, and Moss is not a No. 1 receiver anymore. That being said, I can see Washington bringing him back under the right scenario. 

If they luck out on another receiver on the cheap, Moss makes a great No. 2 along the line. All of a sudden, one of the worst receiving corps in the NFL becomes a formidable one. 

6. Braylon Edwards: WR

Here comes the likely receiver for the Redskins next year. This all rests on whether Washington can convince Santonio Holmes to take their money instead of someone eles's.

The great thing about Edwards is that he will come far cheaper than Sidney Rice or Holmes. Sure he doesn't have the assured hands you want in a number one. 

The Redskins will take what they can get at receiver. Edwards is a great value buy that allows them to spread the love at other positions. 

5. Tyson Clabo: RT

As Jammal Brown leaves the Redskins, another right tackle must be locked up. My money is on Tyson Clabo protecting what ever rabble they have in the pocket next season. 

Clabo may indeed come with a discount. He is an overachiever that will work every minute of the game, but he is one dimensional. 

He will give you an assured presence on the right side, but that is about it. Versatility does not reside here. That is a luxury the Redskins can disregard as Clabo will make the line better with his grit and determination. 

4. Aubrayo Franklin: NT

The Redskins are pretty serious about this whole 3-4 business. Well, it is time they get serious with a stout nose tackle. 

There has been rumors that Franklin was at the top of the Redskins wish list. Then, just like that, he wasn't. You can judge for yourself in various RotoWorld reports. 

I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Franklin will no doubt command some money, but the Redskins will gauge if he is an attainable commodity. 

The next few days will be an amazing cavalcade of chaos in the free agent market. Franklin is definitely on the Redskins' radar. It just depends how much. 

3. Nnamdi Asomugha: CB

The jewel of what will be a very frantic free agency period is Nnamdi Asomugha. It is becoming very apparent that you need a shutdown corner to be an elite team in this league. 

When you can completely void one part of the field because of a cornerback's talent, you have a special thing. Asomugha is one of the best to roam the secondary. 

The Redskins have a rare gift in extra cap space this offseason. It just so happens that will allow them to spend on a player with some rare talents. 

Asomugha will not come cheap, but the Redskins need defensive help, and you can bet that he will be on their radar when free agency opens. 

2. Matt Hasselbeck: QB

The Washington Redskins are stuck between a rock and a Rex Grossman. There is a growing percentage that is nearing 100 percent that Donovan McNabb will leave the Redskins, or be kicked to the curb. Either way, he is gone. 

That leaves the best QB on the open market as Matt Hasselbeck. In a perfect world, Hasselbeck will retire a Seahawks player as the NFL gods should intend. 

He may not be able to resist whatever ridiculous money the Redskins will offer him though. 

1. Santonio Holmes: WR

The Washington Redskins cleared a lot of cap space for a rainy day, and it is about to hail. the freedom to spend makes this team a prime candidate to land one or two of the best players on the open market. 

One of those players is Santonio Holmes. Holmes is still one of the best receivers in the NFL, and assured No. 1 in any system. 

The Redskins are hurting at receiver. Holmes is an upgrade over Santana Moss. Best of all, he would make any quarterback look worthwhile. That will help if Rex Grossman is re-signed as the only arm in the bullpen.