7 Free Agents the Washington Redskins Should Avoid This Offseason
One of the best things about general manager Scot McCloughan, which is directly contrary to the Washington Redskins' strategy for the past 15 years, is his reliance on the draft over free agency to build the team.
For a franchise that has routinely won the offseason by signing big names to bigger contracts, it is a breath of fresh air to know they'll be breaking that trend this year.
The Redskins, arguably more than any other team in the NFL, should adopt a policy of avoiding any free agent with a lofty price tag or with a lot of miles on their body. It sounds like a simple approach, but it is easy to get swept up in numbers and production from a single season while ignoring the big picture.
With that in mind, here are some of the free agents the Redskins should avoid this offseason.
Jeremy Maclin, Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles
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Jeremy Maclin is going to be a case of a player having one excellent season, getting signed to a big deal and falling back into being good but not great.
Maclin had a superb year, not only emerging as a top target without DeSean Jackson in Philly, but coming back from missing all of 2013 after tearing his ACL in training camp.
Not that the Redskins are in the market for a receiver, since Pierre Garcon is still around and capable of being a 1,000-yard receiver like Jackson. However, it would be enticing to reunite Jackson, coming off of yet another good season, with Maclin, who is coming off of his best season.
That said, Maclin's emergence in Philadelphia for one season is not enough to warrant a big contract. He has struggled with injuries since he was a rookie, and just because he started every game in 2014 doesn't mean he's going to be able to stay healthy in 2015 and beyond.
It also makes no sense to add weapons to an offense with such an unsettled quarterback situation.
Frank Gore, Running Back, San Francisco 49ers
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Frank Gore currently sits at 20th on the NFL's all-time career rushing yards list. In 10 seasons, he has rushed for 11,073 yards, producing eight 1,000-yard seasons as well as 64 career rushing touchdowns and 11 receiving touchdowns.
Gore is also going to be 32 years old at the start of the 2015 season and is likely on the decline regardless of what his numbers show.
The problem with a guy like Gore is that he has the ability to produce beyond his shelf life. He is a versatile back who relies more on power than speed these days, and he has always been reliable as a receiver.
Still, there is no guarantee that his success after 30 will last should the Redskins decide they want a more versatile running back to pair with Alfred Morris.
Scot McCloughan may decide to bring some old familiar faces to Washington from his days with the Niners, but it shouldn't be an aging running back who would cost more than he produces.
Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle, Detroit Lions
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The last time Washington signed a big-name free-agent defensive lineman, he ended up being an expensive disappointment.
Not to say Ndamukong Suh would bring the same frustration as Albert Haynesworth, but the potential for disaster exists all the same.
The Redskins don't need another Haynesworth type of situation, though their concerns would be with dirty play more than loafing on the field with Suh.
Suh would be an upgrade to the defensive line, without question. But what sort of role would he play in the Redskins' 3-4 scheme? He's not a space-eater and probably wouldn't like to play nose tackle, and a 3-4 end doesn't get the same opportunities to get to the quarterback.
Suh has averaged 5.2 sacks per season as a defensive tackle. He was made to be a tackle, and the Redskins can't get caught up in his numbers without taking into account how he would fit in their defensive scheme.
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Darrelle Revis, Cornerback, New England Patriots
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The days of Revis Island being an intimidating idea are long gone. Darrelle Revis is still a good corner, but he is no longer a top-10 player at the position.
After a return to form with the New England Patriots, culminating in a Super Bowl victory, Revis is going to want to get paid.
The Washington Redskins absolutely cannot be the type of team that plays the vulture with championship rosters. Revis is a veteran with a ton of talent, but he's looking for what will likely be the last lengthy contract of his career.
With DeAngelo Hall returning from injury and David Amerson's progression halted, the Redskins do need an upgrade at the cornerback position. A better option would be the deep talent pool in the draft or Indianapolis Colts corner Darius Butler.
Butler wouldn't have to be a starter, at least not from the start. He would be a cheaper alternative to Tracy Porter, an upgrade over E.J. Biggers and would provide competition for Amerson.
Justin Houston, Outside Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs
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Brian Orakpo's tenure with the Redskins has been riddled with injuries, lacking game-changing play and may be coming to an end. After wanting a max deal prior to the 2014 season, Orakpo failed to produce on the field and landed on injured reserve for the second time in three seasons.
Justin Houston is coming off of a 22-sack season in just his fourth year in the league and will be a hot commodity this offseason.
It would make sense for the Redskins to want to fill a void left by Orakpo's likely departure with the best pass-rushing outside linebacker from the 2014 season, right? He's young, he's definitely talented, but is he worth signing to what will likely be a max deal?
The short answer is no.
Pursuing Houston would show a neglect for the talent in the draft—the talent that would be scouted by the rebuilt staff and evaluated for their abilities and how they would fit in Washington's schemes.
Houston could be productive, sure, but he's not a Redskins prospect and thus may not be able to translate his success with the Chiefs to Washington. Yes, that is the risk you take in free agency, but the Redskins are in no position to take such a risk at this point.
Dez Bryant, Receiver, Dallas Cowboys
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Aside from being a member of the hated Dallas Cowboys, Dez Bryant has shown a tendency to be a bit of a head case. Talented though he may be, no team should be willing to risk locker room stability as well as throwing gobs of cash at a potential distraction.
Sure, DeSean Jackson worked out, or has thus far for the Redskins, but do they really need Bryant to start and fuel any fire off of the field?
It would make for a fantastic trio of receivers, without question, but it would likely push Pierre Garcon into an even smaller role than he had in 2014 with just Jackson's presence taking catches away from him.
Bryant is a Cowboy through and through, and for his potential asking price and the personality concerns, the Redskins shouldn't even consider signing him. Given the need to rebuild, and the rough times facing the Redskins, someone like Bryant isn't going to want to be in Washington anyway.
Mike Iupati, Guard, San Francisco 49ers
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Perhaps this is a little hypocritical, since I've mentioned Mike Iupati as a potential free-agent target several times in the past, but the Redskins should steer clear of him.
Sure, he may be an excellent player, and his presence would go a long way toward fixing the mess of an offensive line, but is he worth getting one of the richest contracts of any lineman this offseason?
Iupati is this offseason's Alex Mack, though he is far from the type of player who can anchor an offensive line like Mack.
There is no questioning the need to improve the line to fit Jay Gruden's offense, but not at the cost of a substantial amount of cap room. If there is any position the Redskins can bargain shop or upgrade through the draft, it is guard.
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