Redskins Free Agency: Exploring Impact of Washington's Salary Cap

Using free agency to repair a roster that went 3-13 in 2014, is another chance for Bruce Allen to remind fans why he's on the payroll. The beleaguered general manager didn't exactly make a hash of things last offseason, but he still needs to change his approach this time around.

Last year, Allen snaffled 1,000-yard receiver DeSean Jackson, who is the NFL's premier deep threat. He also claimed Pro Bowl pass-rusher Jason Hatcher. That Allen poached both from NFC East rivals only added to the gloss on both deals.

On the surface, these were marquee signings. However, their merits were exactly that, surface deep.

Nobody can dispute what a boon it is to have Jackson. His vertical speed frightens the life out of covering defenders and opens up room and options for the rest of the offense. But with Pierre Garcon already on the books, a premier outside receiver was hardly a need.

In a similar way, Hatcher, once he gets fully healthy, can terrorize opposing blocking schemes. But with good outside pass-rushers and a few talented linemen already on the roster, adding a player who can apply more pressure was far from a priority.

Dishing out big-bucks deals to Hatcher and Jackson meant getting by with bargain-bucket alternatives in the secondary and along the offensive line. Allen can't make that mistake again. He must find marquee solutions to the two biggest problem areas on the team.

That process can be helped by trimming the roster of a few bloated contracts. Those decisions should be easy in the trenches.

However, Allen's dilemma will involve whether to retain veteran cornerback DeAngelo Hall or risk a wholesale refresh in the defensive backfield. The choice regarding outside linebacker Brian Orakpo could be even tougher and may hinge on the team's top candidate to take over as defensive coordinator.

Here's how this year's salary-cap situation will affect those plans.

The State of Play

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The Redskins are in solid shape when it comes to this year's cap. That's especially true if the current projections hold.

CBS Sports analyst Jason La Canfora recently detailed what the cap is expected to look like:

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NFL Management Council informed teams at league meeting today '15 cap projects b/n $138.6M-$141.8M. I bet it ends up higher. Often does

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) December 10, 2014"

Under a figure that leans closer to the limit La Canfora stated, Washington has just over $15 million worth of space available, according to OverTheCap.com.

Allen has suggested Washington could actually have $20 million, per Real Redskins blogger Rich Tandler. While Tandler believes that's a generous estimate, he does note some factors that could push the eventual number up from the $15 million mark:

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But it’s possible that Washington will get back some salary cap credits if there were some unearned incentives in 2014 contracts. And the salary cap could end up going north of that $140 million mark. Some combination of those two factors could push the Redskins over the $20 million mark in available cap space.

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Either way, Washington will enter free agency with some room to work, but it's not so much they can't avoid some shrewd wheeling and dealing. This is where A.J. Smith's expanded role could be key.

His long history of constructing winning rosters through selective spending will certainly impact how Washington does its business this offseason.

The following primary needs should help determine Smith and Allen's overall strategy.

The Primary Needs

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If you don't know them by now, you really should. Washington's primary needs have to be fixing the secondary and bolstering the offensive line.

The former requirement should mean a pair of new safeties to replace aging and ineffective duo Brandon Meriweather and Ryan Clark. Dumping both starters will naturally make the position a focus in free agency.

Given how safeties have grown in importance within modern, hybrid defensive schemes, teams can command a premium for prospective targets. So a player such as Denver Broncos free safety Rahim Moore, probably the best option at his position on this year's market, will get paid this offseason.

While the paucity of the safety market is a concern, the bounty of riches available for the offensive line could also pose problems. With players such as Mike Iupati, James Carpenter and Orlando Franklin set to enter free agency, the Redskins have ample talent to choose from.

But each of those players will command contracts that would eat into the majority of Washington's cap space. However, there's no way to avoid it, the Redskins need better linemen.

Getting them and still having dollars left over for other needs will require some surgery among the current contracts. The following salaries are a good place to start.

Dump a Few High-Priced Salaries

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If you cast an eye over the contracts the Redskins could lose in 2015, two immediately stand out. They belong to underperforming right guard Chris Chester and injury-hit defensive end Stephen Bowen.

Washington is on the hook for a $4.8 million cap hit with Chester, per Spotrac. It's not difficult finding the motivation to dump that particular salary.

After all, the ex-Baltimore Ravens rotation player has been a consistent weak link in pass protection since joining Washington in 2011. He's too slight to really hold sway at the heart of the trenches.

Parting ways with Chester would create a void a marquee free-agent guard could fill. It would also let head coach Jay Gruden target a bigger, beefier interior blocker, something he often favored when calling the offense for the Cincinnati Bengals.

On the surface, the decision regarding Bowen may seem as easy as the call on Chester. The 30-year-old is set to account for a $8.02 million cap hit this year. That's certainly a hefty sum to pay a veteran who's missed 14 games in the last two seasons and isn't a clear starter.

However, other offseason developments could actually enhance Bowen's value. Specifically, the team's pursuit of Wade Phillips to succeed the departed Jim Haslett as defensive coordinator.

The Redskins will interview Phillips, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport. Bowen played for Phillips with the Dallas Cowboys and has a great knowledge of the veteran coach's 1-gap 3-4 schemes.

If he gets the job, Phillips may want to keep Bowen around as a familiar face who can help with a quick transition. That wouldn't be the worse thing considering Bowen is stout against the run and a capable interior pass-rusher.

If Smith and Allen can restructure his deal, something Bowen may be open to if it means working with Phillips again, he's certainly worth keeping around.

The same could also be said for Hall, who offers experience and opportunism to a cornerback rotation woefully short of both. However, he's now 31 and tore his left Achilles twice during 2014.

Those factors could deter Washington from accepting Hall's $4,812,500 cap hit for 2015. The presence of budding young star Bashaud Breeland only strengthens the case to wave goodbye to Hall.

But the struggles of 2013 second-rounder David Amerson could force a rethink. Yet a new coordinator's arrival seems like the perfect time to overhaul a failing secondary.

Freeing up Hall's money to put toward a younger, healthier player is the smarter choice.

The Brian Orakpo Call

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Bowen isn't the only member of the defensive front seven whose future could hinge on Phillips' plans. Hiring the aging play-caller could have a major impact on Brian Orakpo's career in Washington.

B/R Insider Jason Cole has reported Phillips is the favorite for the job. Every outside linebacker on the roster should be ecstatic about the news.

That includes, Orakpo, the team's franchise player in 2014 who just can't seem to stay healthy. But when he's fully fit, there's no denying the 2009 first-rounder is a dangerous edge-rusher.

Orakpo has topped the eight-sack mark four times in his career. That will likely to appeal to Phillips, who turns his outside linebackers loose more than any other 3-4 play-caller.

His blitz-happy, 5-2-like 3-4 system has made stars of multiple outside pass-rushers. Players such as Simon Fletcher, Bryce Paup, Shawne Merriman, DeMarcus Ware and Connor Barwin have all thrived in Phillips' scheme.

Orakpo could certainly do the same. But is he really worth paying after missing 25 games in six seasons?

Sure, Orakpo won't be able to demand the pretty penny he might've done had he stayed healthy and repeated his 10-sack heroics of 2013. But equally, you can't imagine the 28-year-old sticking around on the cheap.

The Redskins might not need him to if they have faith in 2014 second-rounder Trent Murphy. He and undrafted ace Jackson Jeffcoat have great potential on the outside. Phillips would certainly unleash that potential.

Of course, there's also the presence of Ryan Kerrigan to consider. He notched 13.5 sacks in a quite superb season in 2014.

The 2011 first-round pick is one player; along with left tackle Trent Williams, Allen appears anxious to secure for the long haul, per CSNWashington.com reporter Rich Tandler. He notes that Kerrigan could earn $7 million under an option in 2015. The linebacker has certainly played himself into a better long-term deal.

In this context, Orakpo's presence is not as necessary as it once seemed, even if Phillips' potential arrival might change that.

But his ability to make stars out of so many edge-rushers could ultimately serve as the last push out the door for Orakpo.

Niles Paul the Best Bet for Franchise Tag

If they use the tag, the Redskins should slap it on Niles Paul. He's proved he has good "move" skills and versatility at the tight end position.

Those are invaluable traits in today's passing schemes. They are also qualities that could make Paul a target on the open market, per B/R's Chris Simms.

But Washington needs Paul's talent at tight end as questions over Jordan Reed's durability and commitment persist. The Redskins also need the veteran's help and experience on special teams.

Paul offers too much to the offense and football's vital third phase to simply let him walk away. As a player who committed to improving his overall game in 2014, Paul was a rarity in Gruden's first team.

He's exactly the sort of player the young coach needs around him if he's ever going to build a winner in D.C.

Free agency needn't be particularly complicated for Washington. The positions of need are obvious, while the existing money provides plenty of room to work.

If Allen and Smith boost the coffers with some smart contract calls, there's plenty of reason to be optimistic about their chances of significantly improving the roster this offseason.