Vincent Jackson to Redskins: Why Ex-Chargers WR Would Look Good in Washington

The Washington Redskins have already confirmed their intention to pursue a marquee wideout in free agency. That player should be San Diego Chargers standout Vincent Jackson.

There have been rumours that the Redskins will be amongst the teams to make a move for Jackson, should the talented flanker hit free agency. There are plenty of reasons to recommend the signing, beginning first with three things Jackson would immediately add that are missing from the offense now.

First and perhaps most importantly, Jackson will finally give Mike and Kyle Shanahan the kind of big target they favour to build the pass offense around. Jabar Gaffney and Leonard Hankerson are the biggest receivers on the roster at 6'2" and weighing 200 and 209 pounds, respectively.

Yet neither can offer the elite size Shanahan covets. At 6'5," 230 pounds, Jackson has the size and physicality to overpower defensive backs and provide a regular outlet anywhere on the field. 

He can increase the big-play potential of Washington's passing game. The seven-year pro averaged 18.4 yards per reception in 2011 and has a career average of 17.5 yards per catch.

Contrast that with current Redskins starters Gaffney and Santana Moss, who averaged 13.4 and 12.7, respectively.

Jackson's ability to produce bigger chunks of yardage will prove crucial for an offense that is often limited to slow progress and small gains. This makes the Redskins easier to defend and inevitably results in more field goals than touchdowns.

Jackson is also a genuine vertical weapon. The Colorado Springs native is a constant threat to stretch and get behind any defense. The Redskins simply don't possess this attribute at the moment.

Youngster Anthony Armstrong is the closest thing Mike Shanahan has to a deep outlet, but he has been inconsistent. Jackson's presence would expand the playbook for Kyle Shanahan and also prevent defenses from pinching down on the Redskins receivers in coverage.

If the Redskins were to snare Jackson, his arrival would directly benefit several key positions on the offense. Tight End Fred Davis should enjoy even more space over the middle, as opposing teams would have to respect Jackson's penchant for going deep and hauling in the long pass.

Similarly, running backs Roy Helu and Evan Royster should enjoy more room and see less eight-man fronts with defenses forced to keep a safety deep. Just by adding a fear factor that has been missing from the Redskins attack for too long, Jackson would expand the entire offense.

All of that would be great news for whoever is under center in D.C. for the 2012 regular season. A rookie like Robert Griffin III or Ryan Tannehill could feel very confident aiming passes to a tall, dynamic and experienced receiver like Jackson.