Washington Redskins Free Agency: 8 Ideal Targets Post RG3 Trade

In the wake of the Redskins' blockbuster trade with the St. Louis Rams for the right to draft Robert Griffin III, thoughts can now turn to how Washington can use free agency to improve the talent around Griffin.

Equipping the rookie passer with a playmaker at wide receiver and strengthening the offensive line are the main priorities. Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks are the marquee names, but the likes of Ben Grubbs, Mario Manningham and Anthony Collins are also interesting targets to consider.

The Redskins will have to be bold and decisive in free agency to provide Griffin with the supporting cast he will need to ensure his success from day one. Here are eight ideal targets the Redskins should consider surrounding the Heisman Trophy winner with.

1. Carl Nicks, LG, New Orleans Saints

Signing Carl Nicks would instantly upgrade the entire Redskins offensive line. Nicks is arguably the NFL's most dominant interior lineman.

The 6'5", 343-pounder would bring a degree of raw power, aggression and intimidation that is currently missing from Washington's front five. Too many times last season the Redskins were mauled and overwhelmed inside.

Nicks has the brute strength and skill to eliminate this problem. While he is bigger than the mobile linemen usually favoured by Mike Shanahan, he possesses the footwork and technical acumen to be an asset in any blocking scheme.

Having not missed a game for three seasons, Nicks would also add a durable presence to a Redskins line too often ravaged by injuries.

Although his cost would be significant, Nicks would make left tackle Trent Williams better and solidify Griffin's blindside protection.

2. Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego Chargers

Griffin needs to be able to rely upon an experienced and dynamic playmaker during his rookie year. The 29-year-old Vincent Jackson is exactly that.

At 6'5" and 230 pounds, Jackson is the kind of big target Shanahan can construct his passing game around. The Chargers standout would provide Griffin with a legitimate deep threat.

Griffin could feel very confident with a player like Jackson operating as his primary receiver. The Redskins continue to be linked with Jackson. NBCSports.com reports this morning that the team are poised to make a major push for the 2011 Pro Bowler.

Acquiring a player of Jackson's calibre would show that the Redskins are serious about giving Griffin the weapons he needs to succeed right away.

3. Joel Dreessen, TE, Houston Texans

With Chris Cooley's cap figure potentially prohibitive, and Fred Davis' drug problems threatening to wreck his career, the Redskins could look to add another tight end to aid Griffin in year one.

In this scenario, Joel Dreessen would be the ideal choice. Dreessen is familiar with the kind of offense Kyle Shanahan likes to run, and has the skill set to be an asset in the Redskins' passing game.

The 6'4", 245-pounder has excellent hands and the speed to be a factor on crossing patterns as well as for attacking the deep zones. Dreessen would give Griffin a reliable, safety-valve target, with the ability to also offer a similar threat to the one posed by Davis.

4. Anthony Collins, RT, Cincinnati Bengals

Improving their options at right tackle should be a key part of Washington's offseason plans. Cincinnati Bengals youngster Anthony Collins would be a smart pickup who could supplant the struggling Jammal Brown.

The 6'5", 315-pounder is a mobile lineman, athletic enough to quickly become a factor in the Redskins' zone schemes. At 26, he fits the Redskins' desire to construct a young roster, capable of competing for several years.

Along with Williams, Collins would provide Griffin with two young bookend tackles, who could ease his transition to the pros and form the basis of his pass protection for years to come. Given Griffin's noted scrambling ability, it is essential the Redskins are stout on the edges of their front five.

Opposing defenses will try and contain Griffin in the pocket, and that means holding the edge and maintaining pass-rush lanes. Tackles who can prevent regular edge pressure will be crucial.

5. Tim Hightower, RB, Washington Redskins

A potential move for Robert Griffin should encourage the Redskins to retain free-agent running back Tim Hightower. Despite the presence of promising youngsters Roy Helu and Evan Royster, Hightower has the skill set to hugely benefit Griffin during his rookie year.

The ex-Arizona Cardinal is an excellent receiver and will provide Griffin with a reliable outlet from the backfield. Hightower is also an exceptional pass-protector.

His ability to recognise and pick up blitzers would be invaluable to Griffin. Having a player with Hightower's savvy and versatility behind him can make Griffin's job easier from day one.

6. Ben Grubbs, LG, Baltimore Ravens

Landing New Orleans Saints standout Carl Nicks would be a dream scenario. However, Ben Grubbs of the Baltimore Ravens might be a more realistic and scheme-suitable alternative.

The Saints' decision to offer the franchise tag to quarterback Drew Brees could be clearing the way for them to invest big in retaining fellow stars like Marques Colston and Nicks.

That would mean the Redskins would have to put down some serious money to lure Nicks away from a regular Super Bowl contender.

Grubbs could be a little easier to get. While perennial contenders themselves, the Ravens gave big money to Marshal Yanda a year ago, and might not be able to offer Grubbs similar terms.

The 28-year-old could be looking to cash in on a series of solid performances during the last two seasons. The 6'3", 310-pounder is also more suited to the zone-based blocking system favoured by Shanahan.

Grubbs is an athletic lineman who uses quick footwork and excellent technique to move along the line of scrimmage and be effective in space.

7. Mario Manningham, WR, New York Giants

Vincent Jackson could well be Washington's first choice and with good reason. However, the Redskins shouldn't be too quick to dismiss Super Bowl hero Mario Manningham.

The 26-year-old is younger than Jackson and could yearn for the opportunity to prove himself as a genuine No. 1 receiver. The Redskins could likely get Manningham at a cheaper cost than the kind of contract Jackson may demand.

He specialises in attacking defenses deep, and offers the real vertical speed Washington's pass offense is sorely lacking. At 6'0" and 185 pounds, Manningham has a similar frame to Griffin's Baylor teammate Kendell Wright, and possesses the same acceleration and big-play potential.

Combining Manningham's deep threat with Griffin's natural playmaking skills could see the Redskins light up some scoreboards in 2012.

8. Brandon Carr, CB, Kansas City Chiefs

This author has advocated a move for Brandon Carr for some time. The 25-year-old is coming off his best season and has the skills to be a major upgrade on DeAngelo Hall.

Carr excels in press coverage and had a good understanding of zone concepts. Teams with a 3-4 often used zone techniques in the secondary, and Carr has plenty of experience in this area having played on Romeo Crennel's Kansas City Chiefs defense the past two seasons.

At 6'0" and 207 pounds, Carr would give Washington's coverage schemes a more physical presence out on the edge. He is a natural ball hawk who is also not afraid to step and help stuff the run.

Along with Cortland Finnegan, Carr is likely to be the most sought-after and high-priced corner on the market. However, despite his cost, Carr would solve a glaring need.

The Redskins surrendered 58 pass plays of 20 or more yards and were burned for 40-plus yards on nine occasions last season. No rookie quarterback needs the added pressure of having to chase a lead or engage in a shootout.

If the Redskins don't rectify their penchant for giving up the big gains, it won't matter how much Griffin improves the offense—the opposition will only ever be a few plays away from striking back.

Draft Trade Commits the Redskins to Be Big Players in Free Agency

Agreeing to a trade that gives away first-round picks in the next two drafts forces the Redskins to add quality to other areas of need via free agency.

While most of the players on this list will command major money, the Redskins have the cap space to make a number of these deals happen.

For instance, acquiring both Jackson and Manningham may appear excessive. Yet along with Santana Moss, Jabar Gaffney and Leonard Hankerson, the duo would provide Griffin with a multi-talented stable of pass-catchers to rely on.

Landing Nicks would improve the offensive line's biggest weakness—pass protection. However, if Nicks' cost proves too steep, then Grubbs is an excellent alternative.

Carr would help fix the one weak area of the defense. A supporting cast for a franchise quarterback includes a stout defense; one which is based on not giving up the big play.

Limiting the big play keeps the offense in the game and would ease the already considerable pressure on Griffin.

Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen have been bold with the trade, and after two losing seasons, they must show significant improvement in 2012. That means being equally as bold in free agency.