Washington Redskins: With RG3 in Hand, Big-Play Receiver Is Next Logical Move

By now you've probably heard about the blockbuster deal that netted the Redskins the second overall pick in next month's draft and the rights to Heisman winner Robert Griffin, III. With a franchise passer in line, Washington must now face facts and admit that there is a shortage of explosive targets for their rookie-QB to be.

It doesn't matter how they go about solving the problem, but the Redskins need someone with game-breaking talent on the receiving end of Griffin's passes.

Having already applied their franchise tag to tight end Fred Davis, it is clear that the Redskins are bereft of high-end talent on the outside. Santana Moss has slowed with age and struggled through injury last season. Jabar Gaffney led the team in receiving yards while having the best season of his career, but is a possession receiver through and through.

After Moss and Gaffney, Washington's receiving corps looks like a who's who of "who's that?"

Donte Stallworth, Anthony Armstrong, Terrence Austin, Niles Paul, David Anderson and Aldrick Robinson do not strike fear into the hearts of opposing defenses. As long as the Redskins have been without a franchise passer, they have been without a game-breaking wide receiver.

In a league predicated upon big plays through the air, the Redskins need the next piece of the puzzle in an elite receiving talent.

Had the Redskins not made the move to send this year's first and second-round picks to St. Louis, as well as two future first-round picks, it was a safe bet that they would have drafted a receiver early in the next year or so. Now that they don't have the luxury of a pick before the third round, it is unlikely that they will be able to add a top-flight receiver in the draft.

There are big time receivers to be had in free agency, which is the next, and seemingly only, opportunity left to fill the pressing need.

Free agency has always been a bit of an Achilles' heel in Washington, having thrown more and more money at their problems over the years without results. This offseason, however, could provide a serious upgrade to the passing attack with the caliber of talent set to hit the open market.

Vincent Jackson, Marques Colston and even Mario Manningham are among the best receivers the Redskins could pursue.

Colston has five 1,000-yard seasons in his career, while the entire Redskins receiving corps has just four, all belonging to Moss. Jackson had nine touchdowns last season, while the top two Redskins receivers combined for just eight. 

Gaffney, Washington's top receiver, averaged 13.9 yards per catch while starting all but one game.

Not since Moss' first season in Washington have the Redskins had a player who could turn a short out into a 40-yard touchdown. Davis has the talent to make big plays at tight end, but is a liability following his four-game suspension for recreational drug use last season.

If Washington loses Davis for the season because of suspension, they'll have a tough time producing with the group of receivers they marched out last season.

Though it is silly to think that all of the problems the Redskins ran into last season can be solved with a promising quarterback and an elite receiver, such additions would go a long way towards righting the many wrongs of the past two seasons.