Vincent Jackson: Washington Redskins Need to Sign Free-Agent WR

Dan Snyder has been known for making big moves during free agency that haven't worked out. This year he can make the right move by signing free-agent Vincent Jackson.

The Washington Redskins have the sixth overall pick in this year's draft and are one of the top contenders to get the No. 2 pick from the St Louis Rams to draft Heisman trophy winner Robert Griffin III. Getting their future quarterback will be a big pickup for the Redskins as they have gone through 27 quarterbacks since 1990. However, they will still need help at wide receiver.

Vincent Jackson would be the perfect fit. With the San Diego Chargers, Jackson was a deep threat outside the numbers and across the middle. He never caught more than 68 passes in a season, but averages 17.5 yards per catch. He also has 37 touchdowns in his short NFL career and tied his season-high last year with nine. The Redskins don't have many red-zone threats and Jackson would help that area a lot.

Santana Moss would play opposite of Jackson, forming the perfect tandem. Moss can play the intermediate routes and catch the quick screens while Jackson can try to get open down the field. The combination of Jackson, Moss and the newly franchise tagged Fred Davis would make a dangerous trio for any opposing defense.

The Redskins were also 30th in the league in turnovers last season, averaging 2.2 per game. Jackson is very efficient with the ball, fumbling only once during his seven-year career. The Redskins need to have ball security as it has been one of the main reasons behind their struggles over the past few years.

Going into free agency, the Redskins have $47.56 million in cap space this offseason. Even if they do trade up to sign Griffin, they will have plenty of space to acquire additional free agents. Jackson has said that he is willing to take a discount for the Chargers, however, he wants a long-term contract that San Diego may be reluctant to give. If there is one thing we know about Snyder, it's that he is willing to spend the money he has, even if it is too much for one player.

Jackson will be worth the risk, if you can even call it that. Washington will likely get a new quarterback even if it isn't Griffin, and with Jackson on the team, he'll find it much easier to help the Redskins return to the playoffs.