Predicting Washington Redskins' Biggest Roster Moves This Offseason

A year that began with the faint of hope of contending for a playoff spot, the Washington Redskins' 2014 season will end in all-too-familiar fashion.

One week may remain, but for the fifth time in six years, Washington will finish with a losing record.

Don't be too down, though, Redskins fans. For the first time since 2012, your team has a draft pick in the first round. Oh, and after being saddled with a $36 million salary-cap penalty that was split between the 2012 and 2013 seasons, your team has a license to spend in free agency.

According to CSN's Rich Tandler, Washington will have $18.4 million in cap space in 2015. And with some roster tweaking, that number could jump to over $30 million.

Now that they've got the money, how will the Redskins use it?

Let's find out. Here are some predictions on the roster moves Washington will make this offseason.

Brian Orakpo Re-Signs

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From the moment he was slapped with the franchise tag, it was a foregone conclusion that Brian Orakpo wouldn't be in Washington for the 2015 season.

Although he had long established himself as the team's top pass-rusher, Orakpo was never on par with the elite pass-rushers he would soon be paid like. Part of this is because of performance, he's had a double-digit sack total just twice in his career, but the major sticking point was injury.

Orakpo has torn his pectoral muscle three times. Ironically enough, though, the same injury concerns that precluded him from garnering a long-term deal with the Skins could lead to his return in 2015.

Limited to seven games and a half a sack in 2014, Orakpo's stock isn't going to net him a hefty contract in free agency.

While Orakpo could still bolt for an incentive-laden deal, similar to what Jeremy Maclin did last season with the Philadelphia Eagles, his best bet is to return to Washington and show that he can stay healthy in an effort to boost his stock.

With Trent Murphy not there yet as a complement to Ryan Kerrigan, Orakpo's return is in the best interest of both parties.

Jim Haslett Will Be Fired

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The Redskins were decimated by injury all year long on defense. So in some respects, it was a commendable job by defensive coordinator Jim Haslett to coax the NFL's 15th-ranked defense out of this roster.

Even with that said, the 2014 season finale will mark Haslett's fifth year in Washington. Five years in, the numbers by his defenses don't exactly cast him in a positive light.

During his tenure, the Skins never ranked higher than 21st in scoring defense. If that doesn't paint a grim picture, then the comments London Fletcher made about his former coach surely will, via Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post and former player Takeo Spikes:

"

London Fletcher on Jim Haslett: "He's clueless as a defensive coordinator." Good lord.

— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) December 7, 2014"

"

London Fletcher on #theotherpregameshow on @CBSSports "Jim Haslett is so bad that he would've made the 85 bears Into a mediocre defense"

— Takeo Spikes (@TakeoSpikes51) December 7, 2014"

Factor in the weekly gaffes in coverage by his secondary, and Haslett has run out of chances in the nation's capital.

Pierre Garcon Will Get Traded

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Not that it falls solely at his feet, but Pierre Garcon's 2014 campaign has been underwhelming. He does have 66 receptions but only a paltry 699 yards receiving with three touchdowns.

Now that Garcon's been usurped by DeSean Jackson as the team's No. 1 receiver, you have to ask: Is it really worth it to Washington to take on Garcon's $9.7 million cap hit in 2015?

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora doesn't think so. While his comments came prior to the NFL's trade deadline, his point still rings true.

Citing the litany of holes the Skins have across their roster, he questioned the amount of money the team had allotted to the receiving corps. After all, between Andre Roberts, Jackson and Garcon, Washington will take a $23.9 million cap hit in 2015.

In need of both cap space and draft picks to replenish the rest of the roster, particularly the defense, the Skins will explore the trade market for Garcon this offseason.

All salary-cap information is via Spotrac.com.

Robert Griffin III Will Return

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Robert Griffin III will return to Washington in 2015. There's a caveat, though. His 2016 option won't be exercised.

Slated to make $3.2 million in 2015, Griffin's 2016 option could vault this number to $18.4 million according to NBC Sports' Mike Florio. With RG3 sporting just five wins as a starter since his rookie year, it goes without saying that he'd be undeserving of such a salary.

Regardless, though, when the 2016 opens, he will be the starting quarterback. You can talk about competition all you want, the Redskins will have a tough go at finding viable alternatives to Griffin.

You've seen Colt McCoy and Kirk Cousins already, and as it stands currently, the 2015 free-agent quarterback class will be headlined by, wait for it, Mark Sanchez!

Or do you think a Brian Hoyer or a Matt Flynn is leading the class?

Either way, save a trade—how has that worked out in the past?—if improvement is to come at the quarterback position, it's going to have to come internally for Washington.

With an improved offensive line and a better grip on passing from the pocket—in addition to Jay Gruden catering the offense more to his strengths—Griffin could elevate his play in 2015.

Redskins Will Sign G Mike Iupati

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The Skins offensive line has long been maligned as one of the team's chief weaknesses and rightfully so. Washington is second in the NFL in sacks allowed, with 55. Furthermore, the team's once vaunted running game has fallen on hard times.

In 2012 the Redskins were first in the league in rushing and fifth last season. This year, though, the team is just 19th in rushing, at 105.8 yards per game.

Enter Mike Iupati. While he, and really the entire San Francisco 49ers offensive line, has been off his game a bit in 2014, the fact remains that Iupati is one of the best guards in the NFL. Finishing up his fifth season in the league, he already has two Pro Bowl berths and a first-team All-Pro selection back in 2012 on his resume.

With the 49ers having already secured long-term deals with Joe Staley, Anthony Davis and Alex Boone, Iupati's availability isn't a pipe dream.

So whether it's Chris Chester or Shawn Lauvao who have to go to clear room for Iupati, preferably both, this is a move Washington needs to make happen.