Redskins Have Huge Decisions to Make on Hall and Orakpo

For about half a decade, cornerback DeAngelo Hall and outside linebacker Brian Orakpo have been  the highest-profile defensive players on the Washington Redskins roster. But the Skins have a new general manager and a new mentality as they attempt to break out of a rut that has seen them lose 10-plus games in five of their last six seasons. 

But before new personnel boss Scot McCloughan deals with free agency and the draft, he'll have to make key decisions regarding Hall and Orakpo, both of whom missed the majority of the 2014 season due to injury and have contract situations that require attention. 

The Redskins know they need to rebuild a defense that has surrendered the third-highest point total in the league dating back to 2010, but that doesn't necessarily mean they have to gut the entire defensive roster, and Hall and Orakpo are proven leaders with Pro Bowls on their resumes. 

Scenario	Games	PPG allowed	Win %
With Orakpo	20	29.3	.250
With Hall	35	26.6	.400
With both	20	29.3	.250
Without Orakpo	24	25.0	.458
Without Hall	13	28.8	.230
Without both	9	28.3	.222

The problem with Hall is he's now 31 years and old and is currently battling back from a twice-ruptured Achilles tendon. 

Orakpo will be only 29 this summer, but he missed nine games in 2014 after suffering his third major pectoral injury in as many years and has sat out as many games as he's played since the start of the 2012 season (24 apiece). 

Hall isn't too costly—he makes $4.3 million per year—but the Skins have to determine whether it's worth it to keep him around at that price and with those age and injury concerns. They can basically release him free of charge if they designate him as a post-June 1 cut, but they could still save $2.4 million if they choose to part ways with him before the start of free agency March 10. 

And it's not as though he was a consistent stud in coverage before getting hurt. Hall hasn't been to the Pro Bowl since 2010. He's had some nice moments, particularly against Dez Bryant and the Dallas Cowboys, and he has a nose for the football (30 interceptions and forced fumbles since coming to Washington in 2008).

But during the first three games of the 2014 season—an admittedly miniature sample size—he allowed five completions on six attempts for 76 yards and an opposing passer rating of 118.0, per Pro Football Focus. 

Orakpo is probably a longer shot than Hall to be on the 2015 roster. His rookie contract expired a year ago and a second consecutive franchise tag would cost the Skins about $14 million. That's far too much money to give a pass-rusher who has just 11.5 sacks since 2012. 

These decisions will also likely hinge on how confident Washington's front office is in the potential long-term replacements for either player. And that's where Orakpo again looks like he'll have a slimmer chance than Hall to remain on the roster. 

That's because he's no longer the best pass-rusher on his own team. That title goes to Ryan Kerrigan, who had a career-high 13.5 sacks and was graded by PFF as the third-most productive pass-rushing 3-4 outside linebacker in the game in 2014. 

Player	Pressures	PRP
1. Justin Houston	85	15.7
2. Ryan Kerrigan	72	13.0
3. Pernell McPhee	64	14.4
4. Terrell Suggs	56	9.4

Plus, the Redskins used their top draft pick last year on capable edge-rusher Trent Murphy. The Stanford product had just 2.5 sacks as a rookie but looked extremely good in run defense and has a bright future. 

The Redskins are less accomplished at the cornerback position. Veteran Tracy Porter has injury issues of his own and hasn't been an effective starter since his days in New Orleans half a decade ago. And the NFL verdict is still far from being delivered on youngsters David Amerson and Bashaud Breeland, both of whom have shown glimpses but were not reliable starters in 2014. 

Metric	Total	NFL rank out of 108
PFF grade	-20.2	108
Opposing QB rating	140.2	108
Opposing comp.%	73.6	98
TDs allowed	10	108

That's why parting ways with Orakpo while keeping Hall makes quite a lot of sense. McCloughan has no allegiance to either player, but GM-turned-president Bruce Allen will probably push for Murphy to be given a chance to take Orakpo's role on a permanent basis going forward.

Hall isn't cheap, and the Skins have only a modest $13 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap. But keep in mind that McCloughan isn't one to make big free-agent splashes anyway. And throw in that the Skins might even have hope that he can pull a "Rod Woodson" and become an effective free safety at some point soon. 

The reality, though, is that with McCloughan calling the shots, we have no idea what to expect. And that's sort of refreshing. 

Brad Gagnon has covered the NFL for Bleacher Report since 2012.

Follow @Brad_Gagnon