Redskins Free Agency: Projecting Contract Offers for Washington
After winning seven games in two years, the Washington Redskins have a clear mandate entering free agency: Get better everywhere. With a new general manager on board, along with some potential schematic shifts, the Redskins should be drawing up enticing contracts for six intriguing free agents.
Any offers made will also be dictated by the team's own free agents. For instance, losing both tight end Niles Paul and pass-catching running back Roy Helu Jr. would likely put an intermediate receiver on the radar.
By contrast, the new-look front office may view this year's veteran safety class as generally underwhelming. That could leave Washington pursuing help for its main weakness via the draft.
Here are the players and contract offers the Redskins would be smart to pursue this offseason.
Determining the Needs
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The needs are obvious and at this point require little explanation. An offensive line that surrendered 58 sacks in 2014 needs help at every position except left tackle. Meanwhile, the team's 24th-ranked pass defense needs an infusion of youth and dynamism at safety, along with cover at cornerback.
They are the two primary needs that must be fixed this offseason, via both free agency and the 2015 NFL draft. But other factors could create the need for reinforcements elsewhere on the roster.
The future of outside linebacker Brian Orakpo will be a contentious call. He flopped after receiving the franchise tag and has had a lot of trouble staying healthy.
However, a fully fit Orakpo is still this team's best pure pass-rusher. If he leaves or is shoved through the exit door, pass-rusher becomes a more pressing need.
But that isn't the only position along the defensive front seven that rates as a concern. Continuing with the 3-4 scheme first installed in 2010 requires finding a true nose tackle to properly anchor the front.
On the other side of the ball, any changes up front could well be determined by the philosophies of general manager Scot McCloughan, head coach Jay Gruden and new O-line coach Bill Callahan. Specifically, the trio's preference for power-blocking concepts.
Those are some of the factors to consider once the Redskins start handing out contracts. The type of contracts will depend largely on the following numbers.
Previewing the Cap
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One main factor in any deals handed out will obviously be the team's estimated cap space. OverTheCap.com puts the likely figure at $13,328,139 under an initial projected cap limit of $140,108,621.
Of course, McCloughan has plenty of room to inflate this figure by dumping some high-profile contracts. Veteran such as guard Chris Chester, defensive end Stephen Bowen and cornerbacks Tracy Porter and DeAngelo Hall are the most likely casualties.
But even with efforts made to trim the current wage bill. There's no doubt McCloughan, Gruden and team president Bruce Allen will need to engage in some careful and selective shopping.
Here are the players who ought to be on their collective radar, along with the most appropriate contract offers.
Akeem Ayers, OLB, New England Patriots
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Akeem Ayers is one of the more intriguing free agents on this year's market. He was surprisingly let go by the Tennessee Titans in one of the season's most brazen acts of stupidity.
Despite running a 3-4 scheme dependent on talented edge-rushers, the Titans traded their best outside pass-rusher to the New England Patriots. Tennessee also let veteran pressure specialist Shaun Phillips leave town. Both ended up featuring in the AFC Championship Game. Just what is going on in the Titans front office?
Back to Ayers, he is a dream fit for a 3-4 scheme that will turn him loose. A natural hybrid rush linebacker, the 25-year-old has the frame and takeoff speed to collapse the edge or blitz the middle.
The 6'3", 255-pounder has already become an invaluable part of New England's many sub-package schemes. Ayers has registered 23 tackles, four sacks and an interception since joining the Pats.
Strangely listed as a middle linebacker on NFL.com, Ayers is about as much an inside 'backer as I am. Instead, he's a gifted pass-rusher with star potential in the right scheme.
Washington offers the best fit for the one-time UCLA ace. Outside linebackers coach Brian Baker has a great record of turning his players into sack artists. He worked wonders with Ryan Kerrigan in 2014, helping him notch a career-best 13.5 quarterback takedowns.
The Redskins could let Orakpo walk and scoop up Ayers on a very cap-friendly deal. His arrival would boost a rotation otherwise populated by developing 2014 second-rounder Trent Murphy and the raw and undrafted Jackson Jeffcoat.
This is a perfect deal for a team that logged just 36 sacks last season but is entering free agency with limited cap space.
Best contract offer: Two years, $2 million; $1 million guaranteed
Ayers made $615,762 with the Pats in 2014, including no bonus. It was a classic "prove it" deal. The Redskins can work a similar offer, where the second year of the contract is provisional on initial production.
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Darius Butler, CB, Indianapolis Colts
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There are other names that stand out more on the list of cornerbacks headed for free agency this year, such as Tramon Williams of the Green Bay Packers and Byron Maxwell of the Seattle Seahawks.
But no available corner is better suited for Washington than Darius Butler. The Indianapolis Colts ball hawk has the opportunistic streak this defense urgently needs.
Last season, the Redskins managed a pathetic seven interceptions. That number has to improve in 2015.
Butler would certainly help ensure a jump in the takeaway figures. He has a knack for pouncing on errant throws and playing his receiver aggressively.
Although Butler didn't manage a pick in 2014, he had four in each of his two previous seasons in Indy. Butler also managed to defense nine passes this season, following 15 breakups the year before.
He also forced a pair of fumbles in 2014 and added another in the conference title game against his former team the Patriots. He just has a knack for being around the ball.
Just as important, Butler can successfully flip-flop between the slot and the outside. Washington's defense especially needs help at the former position.
Porter flopped as a free-agent arrival last year, while fellow pending free agent E.J. Biggers has been a disaster from day one. Butler would slot in perfectly at the vital nickel corner position.
Best contract offer: Three years, $9.6 million; $6 million guaranteed
Butler earned $2.5 million this season along with a $500,000 bonus. McCloughan should make that cap hit his base salary in Washington, but also give the team some cover in terms of guaranteed money in case things don't work out.
Clint Boling, G, Cincinnati Bengals
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Simply put, the Redskins need more beef along the interior of the offensive line. They may also need a player versed in power-blocking techniques.
Clint Boling answers both needs. He played for Gruden when Washington's current head coach ran the offense for the Cincinnati Bengals. During that time, Cincy favored a power-based ground attack.
Gruden's successor, Hue Jackson, continued that philosophy this season. Boling started 16 games and was a key figure for the NFL's sixth-best running game.
At 6'5" and 310 pounds, he plays big and is very adept at pulling around the corner as a lead blocker on power sweeps and counter plays. Boling knows Gruden's offense and rates as an excellent replacement for struggling 32-year-old right guard Chester.
The Redskins seem ready for a move toward more power-based blocking. Gruden has openly admitted his preference for power plays, per CSN Washington reporter Rich Tandler.
Meanwhile, an unnamed NFL executive described how Callahan coaches with power in mind, per ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim. Then there's McCloughan's "big guys win" mentality, per Real Redskins blogger Tandler. Boling fits the mold for the scheme Washington's decision-makers appear to be moving toward.
As a trusted starter in Cincy, Boling may have played his way into a decent contract on the open market. But he'll still come a lot cheaper than Mike Iupati, James Carpenter or Orlando Franklin.
But for once, cheaper won't be a bad thing for Washington. Boling is scheme-ready for Gruden and a player on the rise.
Dumping Chester's $4.8 million cap hit, per Spotrac.com, to make room for a 25-year-old Boling makes perfect sense.
Best contract offer: Four years, $8.4 million; $5 million guaranteed
Boling made $1,431,000 with the Bengals this season. Given his performances, familiarity with Gruden, as well as the team's obvious need for help up front, McCloughan could justify kicking that figure up just north of $2 million annually.
Virgil Green, TE, Denver Broncos
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Virgil Green is a player Washington shouldn't miss in this year's market. He possesses niche skills this team lacks.
Specifically, Green is one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL. Watch any good running play by the Denver Broncos this season and there's a great chance Green made the key block to spring it.
A true blocking tight end is something Washington's 19th-ranked running game needs. Logan Paulsen is the de facto choice for that role, but he's not particularly effective.
Meanwhile, Paul and Jordan Reed are "move-style" receivers several light-years removed from the classic mold for players at their position.
The 6'5", 255-pound Green would be a major asset to Washington's ground attack, especially if there is a move toward more power-based schemes. Callahan designed the second-best ground game in football in 2014, partly thanks to his use of 260-pound tight ends Gavin Escobar and James Hanna as supplemental blockers.
But Green would also help boost the protection in front of whichever quarterback gets the nod to start for the Redskins in 2015. Given the state of the offensive line, that help could be the most important quality Green would bring to the team.
Denver's cap situation makes it unlikely this unheralded but very valuable 26-year-old will stay in the AFC West. That should put him firmly on McCloughan, Allen and Gruden's collective radar.
Best contract offer: Three years, $2.7 million; $1.5 million guaranteed
Green made $645,000 with the Broncos this season. Given his potential importance in Washington's evolving offense, Green would merit $900,000 for three years.
The Broncos have $30,254,879 in projected cap space, per OverTheCap.com. However, Spotrac lists the wide receivers Wes Welker and Demaryius Thomas, tight end Julius Thomas and D-tackle Terrance Knighton as unrestricted free agents.
Green could easily be lost in the shuffle as the Broncos decide what to do with that key quartet.
Dan Williams, NT, Arizona Cardinals
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Dan Williams would finally give Washington's 3-4 defense what it needs most: A true nose tackle to clog the middle. The team is obviously unconvinced by the current options given how many auditioned for this key role in 2014.
Chris Baker, Barry Cofield, Jarvis Jenkins, Kedric Golston and Frank Kearse all took snaps over center this season. Yet none managed to routinely absorb double-teams and push the pocket.
But those core job requirements aren't an issue for Williams. He's spent the last three seasons doing exactly that for the Arizona Cardinals' fearsome defense.
The 6'2", 327-pounder really flourished under the tutelage of now-former defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. The one-time Redskins safety used Williams as the focal point for a stingy run defense. He played him as a 0-technique, as well as shifting him into gaps to create immediate stress on blocking schemes.
As a classic 3-4 nose tackle, Williams is unlikely to command mega bucks on the market. The position has been slightly devalued in recent seasons as more defenses have made four-man front nickel schemes their base package.
That's a trend Washington should take full advantage of. The franchise could also capitalize on any uncertainty among Arizona's defensive holdovers in the wake of Bowles' departure to take over the New York Jets.
One thing's for sure, with Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Damon Harrison on his new roster, Bowles will have little need for his former anchor.
But Williams would be a great present for whomever is eventually named Washington's new defensive coordinator.
Best contract offer: Three years, $5.1 million; $3.5 million guaranteed
Turning Williams' $990,000 2014 base salary into $1.7 million annually would be enough to earn Washington the player the franchise needs at the heart of its defense.
Ron Parker, S, Kansas City Chiefs
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The safety market is frankly porous this season. But Ron Parker is one very intriguing option for the most safety-challenged team in football.
Washington enters free agency with aging but ineffective pair Ryan Clark and Brandon Meriweather potentially looking for new homes. That's not a bad thing.
Parker is a player with crossover potential to play cornerback, particularly in the slot. He can also work at either safety position.
A smart and opportunistic player, Parker logged 94 tackles, notched a sack and also tallied an interception and a forced fumble for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014. He's a player on the rise, as B/R analyst Chris Simms has noted.
Parker has played his way into an improved deal this offseason. But the 27-year-old still won't command the type of deal players such as Devin McCourty and Rahim Moore might fetch.
The Redskins can also find safety help via the draft in the form of Alabama hitter Landon Collins and Louisville ball hawk Gerod Holliman. So McCloughan shouldn't be forced into paying a king's ransom for Parker.
Best contract offer: Three years, $3.9 million; $2.5 million guaranteed
The Chiefs must reach a new long-term deal with Justin Houston this offseason. The franchise will also be aware that key defenders Tamba Hali, Sean Smith, Dontari Poe and Derrick Johnson will become free agents in 2016, per Spotrac.com. So Parker could slip through the net.
He has certainly played himself into double, or in this case a little more, the $645,000 he made with the Chiefs in 2014. A front-loaded deal with good guaranteed money would earn Washington a hidden gem for the weakest position on the roster.
None of the players on this list would generate many headlines. But they are each solid and promising talents with plenty of upside.
Each of the deals offered here represent a good way to not only avoid overpaying, but also protect the franchise long-term. That's exactly how the new-look front office should conduct free agency.
All statistics via NFL.com. All player contract information courtesy of Spotrac.com.
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