Washington Redskins Acquisition Talks: What to Support and What to Dismiss

Despite the Redskins boasting a different reputation as an organization that no longer overspends and creates false hope in the offseason, fans can still expect the team's excess of $40 million in cap space to be used in the coming months. 

Whether Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan use a majority of the team's cash in luring free agents or trading for guys and signing them to deals, the Redskins will certainly have some positional makeovers for 2012. 

Mike Wallace

Pittsburgh speedster wide receiver, Mike Wallace, is a restricted free agent this offseason, but ESPN's Adam Schefter claims that the cap restrictions facing the Steelers this year could result in Wallace playing somewhere else next season. 

Although the Redskins could desperately use a 25-year-old budding receiver, I don't think it's necessarily worth their first-round draft choice in a tender situation with the Steelers. 

Asante Samuel

Even with rumors of the Philadelphia Eagles fielding phone calls regarding a possible trade for 31-year-old cornerback Asante Samuel, it's very unlikely that Shanahan and the Redskins make it a priority. 

Not only is Samuel past the desired age of a free agent signing in Washington, but he's also due $8.4 million in 2012. Not to mention, he seems to have caused more trouble than he's worth in Philly. 

Kellen Winslow

With all guaranteed money paid out to tight end Kellen Winslow in the beginning of his deal, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can release him and not feel any loss against the cap this offseason. 

Winslow is owed $3.3 million in 2012 and—at just 28 years old—should be able find a new home rather quickly. 

The Redskins are prepared to slap tight end Fred Davis with the franchise tag for the 2012 season, and the team seems to believe that veteran Chris Cooley will return in good health. No need for any Winslow sightings in Washington. 

Stanford Routt

When Stanford Routt signed a three-year deal with the Raiders last February for $31.5 million, he probably didn't think he'd be released just one year later. 

At 28 years old, Routt is in the prime of his career. The problem, however, is that most thought he was overpaid under the old regime in Oakland. Now, Routt has to be willing to sign a contract that's deemed fair. 

The Redskins could use an upgrade over current No. 1 cornerback DeAngelo Hall, but it doesn't appear to be a position for Routt. According to sources, Routt is close to signing with the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Reggie Wayne

Veteran receiver Reggie Wayne is another free agent that is likely past the desired age of the Redskins front office targets, but recent talks have hinted towards a package-deal trade that would include both Wayne and quarterback Peyton Manning. 

Unless you've been vacationing on another planet for the last few weeks, you've heard about the rumors surrounding the Washington Redskins as a potential suitor for Peyton Manning's services. 

From this fan's perspective, the Manning-to-Washington rumors are hopefully nothing more than smoke and mirrors. Not only would Manning be a short-term solution to the team's longstanding quarterback woes, but his health is arguably the largest question going into next season. 

Ryan Clady

Since being drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2008, Ryan Clady has positioned himself as one of the best tackles in the NFL. 

Clady is owed $3.5 million this season in the final year of his deal, and the Broncos should probably look to lock him up the 25-year-old for the next decade. 

Landing a guy like Clady via trade is highly unlikely, but Redskins fans can hope for some sort of mismanagement by the Denver front office. If Clady feels disrespected without receiving a contract extension, perhaps he thinks about reuniting with the coach that drafted him four years ago in one way or another. 

Phil Loadholt

Since signing Jammal Brown to an extension last offseason, the Redskins haven't exactly gotten the kind of production they expected—a lingering hip injury has limited Brown's play on the field. 

Phil Loadholt is a monstrosity on the offensive line, effectively anchoring the right side. Set to make $565,000 in 2012, Loadholt is in the last year of his deal. 

Although highly unlikely, Loadholt would be a huge asset to the Redskins and Shanahan's offense. 

Gary Guyton

After the Patriots rewarded starting linebacker Jerod Mayo with a huge payday and locked him up through 2017, they could part ways with backup Gary Guyton. 

Guyton was an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech four years ago. In 2009, just his second season in the league, Guyton started 16 games in New England and recorded 85 tackles and 1.5 sacks. 

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick likes to retain his guys and have depth at each position, but Guyton could earn a decent payday if he tests the market. 

The Redskins, who will one day watch London Fletcher retire, could use a future starter at the inside linebacker position. At 6'3" and 245 pounds, Guyton could eventually take the reins. 

Aqib Talib

Upgrading the secondary is an offseason priority for the Redskins, and they could do so in both free agency and April's draft. 

Since coming into the league, Aqib Talib has had more than a fair number of run-ins with the law and league officials. His production on the field, however, has been impressive. 

Although Talib's trouble off the field and his injuries the past two seasons have raised concern, his former head coach, Raheem Morris, always seemed to support him. 

Now, with Morris in Washington serving as the defensive backs coach, he could very well have his eye on Talib and his future with the Buccaneers. 

Talib is owed $1.85 million this season, and he is set to be a free agent in 2013. But under new ownership and a new coach, the Bucs could very well part ways with the troubled Talib and move forward without him.

If Talib becomes a free agent and Morris can convince Mike Shanahan that he can keep him under wraps, Talib could very well become a steal for the Redskins. 

Dwayne Bowe

Talk about dreamin'. 

Redskins fans can wish all they want for a top-notch receiver like Dwayne Bowe to pay a visit to Washington during free agency, but there's no way the Chiefs don't hit one of their best players with the franchise tag this offseason. 

DeSean Jackson

The Eagles are expected to apply the franchise tag to free agent wide receiver DeSean Jackson, but there have also been talks of the team doing so and then trading him. 

With the Redskins in desperate need of a playmaker, certainly the 25-year-old Jackson would fit the bill. 

However, after observing Jackson's streaky play and witnessing firsthand that he still doesn't understand football as a team game, I would doubt that Shanahan makes a move for him. 

DeSean Jackson may be a gamebreaker, but he isn't worth it at the cost of a locker room. 

Carl Nicks

At first, I didn't think there was any chance the Saints would let one of the best guards in football walk away from their team and test the free-agent market. But according to reports, Nicks is expected to leave New Orleans. 

The Redskins need to bolster their trench on offense, and Carl Nicks would certainly be a guy on Shanahan's wish list. Although he's not an ideal fit in the zone-blocking scheme, Nicks has the strength and smarts to succeed anywhere.

Even above receiver, Carl Nicks should be atop the Redskins priority list this offseason.  

Marques Colston

Some appear to like the idea of Marques Colston to the Redskins. I'm not one of them. 

Colston isn't expected to give New Orleans any hometown discount, but the 29-year-old receiver may want to reconsider. 

Although the former seventh-rounder has developed nicely as a large target in New Orleans high-powered offense, he has also undergone crucial knee surgery that is enough to scare away potential suitors. 

Shanahan may take a quick glance at Colston, but he's on the cusp in terms of age, and the words "knee surgery" still linger. 

Michael Griffin

LaRon Landry isn't expected to return to Washington, and the team is in need of upgrading the safety position. 

Versatile safety Michael Griffin is also not expected to return to his team, the Tennessee Titans. 

Griffin is 27 years old and arguably the best safety option on the open market. For a team like the Redskins that could really use some help, Griffin is an idea. 

Brent Grimes

If the Atlanta Falcons and 28-year-old cornerback Brent Grimes can't agree on a long-term deal, then reports indicate the franchise tag is not a likely option for the 2012 free agent. 

Again, the Redskins are looking to upgrade their secondary this offseason, and Grimes could be a guy that falls into their lap. With 12 interceptions recorded in his last 36 starts, Grimes would compete for the starting job in Washington right away. 

Mario Williams

Admit this, Redskins fans: It would be frickin' awesome to have a beast like Mario Williams in Washington.

I know he's coming off an injury-plagued season, but Williams is a freak of nature, and his proven versatility allows for him to be effective in the 3-4 scheme. 

Unfortunately for the Redskins, Williams has the chance of becoming one of the highest-paid defensive players in the league this offseason. Therefore, him signing with a team like Washington that already has two legitimate starters at the outside linebacker position is highly unlikely. 

Personally, I think Williams accepts a long-term deal for less money to stay in Houston that would ultimately allow the Texans to use the franchise tag on another player, such as running back Arian Foster. 

Brandon Carr

With only one franchise tag to burn, the Kansas City Chiefs could very well watch starting cornerback Brandon Carr hit the open market. 

Carr was a fifth-round draft pick in 2008, and the 25-year-old has yet to miss a start in his first four seasons. With eight interceptions and over 60 pass deflections in his young career, Carr could be acquired as a cornerstone in the secondary for the Redskins. 

Arian Foster

As mentioned before, I anticipate the Texans using the franchise tag on running back Arian Foster, but nothing is set in stone. 

Foster is a restricted free agent this season, and the Redskins would have to give up a first-rounder to acquire him. I simply can't see this happening. 

Not to mention, the combination of Tim Hightower, Roy Helu and Evan Royster should suffice for Shanahan, although I wouldn't be surprised with a late-round flyer in April's draft.