Unheralded Free Agents Who Are Great Fits for Washington Redskins

There are two differing schools of thought for approaching free agency. At least there has been for the Washington Redskins.

The franchise has found itself at both extremes of the spectrum when it comes to shopping in the veteran market. At one end is what could be dubbed the Dan Snyder school of spending.

At this school, graduation is earned by the student who can come up with the quickest, riskiest ways to waste a chunk of the owner's money. Those who came up with Adam Archuleta or paying $100 million for Albert Haynesworth, left with honors.

But as bad as some of those years were, there was also plenty of misery during the Mike Shanahan period. The predecessor to current head coach Jay Gruden was hamstrung by a salary-cap penalty and an almost masochistic willingness to settle for patchwork solutions to major problems.

This school taught that a perennially inept secondary could be fixed by E.J. Biggers and Brandon Meriweather. The only lesson learned was how too much bargain-bucket shopping is a quick route to losing records.

Surely there's some middle ground?

Fortunately there is. The answer lies between mortgaging the farm for bloated, high-risk contracts, or plunging both hands eagerly into the discount bin.

Washington can instead find intriguing potential solutions to their biggest problems if the front office focuses on some unheralded free agents. These aren't targets who will generate a lot of buzz this offseason. Some even have as many question marks as reasons to recommend them.

But every free agent on this list is a solid and versatile player with the potential to develop into more. Each is perfect for the Redskins' rebuilding roster.

Brandon Graham, OLB, Philadelphia Eagles

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The Redskins need to improve a pass rush that felt the collars of quarterbacks just 36 times last season. The best way to do that is finding a complement for outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, who tallied 13.5 sacks in 2014.

You know the Redskins are desperate for pass-rush help when 2008 draft bust Vernon Gholston is having a tryout, per the player's own Twitter account: 

"

Got a tryout with the Redskins #HTTR

— Vernon Gholston (@VernonGholston) February 17, 2015"

Talk about casting a wide net.

Brian Orakpo is unlikely to return as a potential bookend. He's struggled with injuries and inconsistency during six pro seasons and is now a free agent.

There are also genuine question marks surrounding 2014 rookies Trent Murphy and Jackson Jeffcoat. Landing a premium pass-rusher will require either a significant chunk of cap space, or using the fifth overall pick in this year's draft.

One low-key option who could help the franchise avoid both scenarios is Brandon Graham. The Philadelphia Eagles rotational player is expected to seek more playing time after making just 13 starts since entering the NFL in 2010.

But Graham has hardly wasted the situational opportunities he's been given. NFL.com writer Chris Wesseling cited Pro Football Focus statistics detailing Graham's proficiency applying pressure last season: "Although overshadowed by Connor Barwin and Trent Cole in Philadelphia, it was Graham who paced all NFL defenders last season in Pro Football Focus' Pass Rushing Productivity formula that combines sacks, hits and hurries relative to pass rushing attempts."

Now Graham wants a "four-year deal in the $30 million neighborhood, with $20 million guaranteed," according to CSN Philly reporter Geoff Mosher. Those figures are certainly within the realm of possibility for Washington's new-look front office, especially since it would net a player with natural rush skills and untapped potential as a regular starter.

Graham looked very good coming out of Michigan in 2010. He's flexible enough to move around formations and attack an offense from multiple angles. This is one player who should be near the top of new general manager Scot McCloughan's list of targets.

Spencer Paysinger, ILB, New York Giants

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Spencer Paysinger started just one game for the NFC East rival New York Giants in 2014. But the 26-year-old is an underrated linebacker who's a solid hitter with good quickness and sound coverage instincts.

Paysinger fits in Washington as a potential starter at inside linebacker. Star-in-the-making Keenan Robinson isn't the most durable player, while fellow starter Perry Riley Jr. was a major disappointment in 2014.

At 6'2" and 236 pounds, Paysinger has decent size for the middle of a 3-4. He's not shy in run support, an obvious asset on base downs. But more important, Paysinger is a natural fit for the nickel defense.

At the very least, he'd represent excellent depth behind Robinson and Riley. Quality cover, or the lack of it, became an issue during the later stages of the 2014 campaign.

The Redskins ended up starting Will Compton and Steve Beauharnais at the heart of the defense during the final weeks. Paysinger would be an upgrade as a very able deputy.

But even without being called into too much action, he'd also be a useful addition to the special teams. The unit still needs work, and Paysinger would give the coverage teams a boost.

For a very reasonable price, Washington can secure a capable linebacker who would add a lot at two phases of the roster.

Jared Odrick, DT, Miami Dolphins

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Washington's D needs more beef and versatility in the trenches. The group could also be set for an overhaul of personnel. Signing Jared Odrick would answer all of those needs.

He's played 3-4 end and 4-3 defensive tackle since being drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the first round in 2010. He offers the kind of scheme flexibility new Redskins defensive coordinator Joe Barry is likely to covet.

Real Redskins blogger Rich Tandler has detailed how Barry will mix up looks this season, suggesting his defense will align in the 4-3 a "significant percentage of the time."

Odrick is a great candidate for a multiple-front system. At 6'5" and 304 pounds, he's got the size to two-gap. But the ex-Penn State stalwart also has the long arms, power and short-area quickness to split gaps and collapse the pocket from the inside.

Odrick recorded just one sack in 2014, but has 16.5 for his career. The 27-year-old's pass-rush skills from nickel packages are underrated.

If there's an obvious concern, it stems from altercations with Miami's coaching staff last season. Odrick repeatedly clashed with head coach Joe Philbin, according to Dave Hyde of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: 

"

Jared Odrick had 2 exchanges w/Philbin on the sideline. In one, Odrick heard to say, "Every week!" 2nd: "Coaches always have a way out"

— Dave Hyde (@davehydesports) December 7, 2014"

But if the Redskins can look past these issues, they should certainly have space for Odrick. End Jarvis Jenkins and nose tackle Chris Neild are free agents who may not return. Meanwhile, veterans Barry Cofield Jr. and Stephen Bowen are both 30 and carry significant cap hits for 2015, per Spotrac.com.

Virgil Green, TE, Denver Broncos

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Virgil Green could give Washington's offense the one thing it doesn't have. Namely, he's a natural and formidable blocking tight end.

Current starter Jordan Reed certainly doesn't fit that mold. Instead, he is more of a roving Y, a "Joker-style" move receiver.

So is pending free agent Niles Paul, who may be difficult to keep in D.C. following a breakout campaign in 2014. It doesn't help that beefy veteran Logan Paulsen is not a competent receiver nor a dominant blocker, despite his willingness to try to take on both roles.

Green certainly is an overpowering force whenever he clamps his hands onto a defender. The 6'5", 255-pounder is particularly effective in the running game.

Green can drive defensive ends and linebackers off the ball from an in-line position at the edge of an offensive front. He's also an effective lead blocker whenever he's sent in motion and asked to pull around the corner.

A player with his physical dimensions could also develop into a useful receiver. Green doesn't catch many passes, but he has averaged over 12 yards per reception twice in his four-year career, per statistics via NFL.com. So he may fit in a Gruden-schemed pass attack that's designed to stretch the field.

Green could be pushed onto the market by the many issues facing the Denver Broncos in free agency. Key player such as wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker, tight end Julius Thomas and nose tackle Terrance Knighton are headed for the market, per Spotrac.com.

Keeping that core would require spreading a lot of money around. Too much perhaps for a franchise with $26,044,918 worth of cap space, according to OverTheCap.com.

Green could easily get lost in the mix once the Broncos start deciding which players most merit their money. Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post believes one of the first big contracts should go Knighton's way.

Meanwhile, NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport told NFL Total Access (h/t NFL.com writer Chris Wesseling) the Broncos could put the franchise tag on Demaryius Thomas, a move that would cost "roughly $13 million."

Green could easily slip through the cracks in Denver. The only problem might be the status of starter Julius Thomas.

He apparently turned down a contract worth $8 million per year last offseason, according to Brandon Spano of BSN Denver. Thomas then proceeded to labor through a disappointing 2014 campaign, one blighted by injuries and inconsistency.

If the Broncos wave goodbye to Thomas, as Spano contends, they may be reluctant to let Green walk as well. However, the latter hardly fits the mold for the position new head coach Gary Kubiak prefers.

A Shanahan disciple, Kubiak generally favors a more flexible, "move" tight end. He could opt to keep Jacob Tamme, or even bring back Joel Dreessen, who once played for Kubiak with the Houston Texans. Kubiak could even bring veteran Owen Daniels with him from Baltimore.

If a terrific blocker like Green does hit the market, McCloughan and the Redskins should waste little time moving in. The 26-year-old's presence would instantly upgrade last season's 19th-ranked ground attack and add a different sort of target alongside Reed.

Ron Parker, SS, Kansas City Chiefs

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Ron Parker is the best fit on the market for Washington's porous secondary. The 27-year-old can play either safety position and also boasts experience at cornerback.

A defensive back this flexible would help the Redskins adjust to matchup problems posed by different offensive formations. Parker's time at corner means he could be trusted to start over a receiver or tight end in single coverage in the slot.

He also has the instincts to trail and cover a pass-catcher into the deep zones. It's a skill that makes the veteran a terrific fit for two-deep coverage shells designed to protect against surrendering big plays.

Washington's secondary has made yielding big chunks through the air a weekly pastime. Parker's presence would help change that, but his skills wouldn't just be limited to the back end.

During the 2014 season, Parker proved he also has the ability and tenacity to play closer to the line and be a force in the box. The 6'0", 206-pounder was in on 94 combined tackles, registered a sack and forced a fumble.

B/R analyst Chris Simms touted Parker as one possible fix for Washington's seemingly age-old safety woes. Not only does it make sense on a playing level, but Parker could be available at a decent price.

The Kansas City Chiefs have a glaring hole to fill at wide receiver. But the team's biggest issue is securing the future of current free agent and premier pass-rusher Justin Houston.

The Chiefs could put the franchise tag on the player who led the NFL with 22 sacks in 2014. Pro Football Talk reporter Mike Florio believes Houston will sign the tag. It's a move that could cost Kansas City around $13 million this year, per Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star.

But that won't be the end of the Chiefs' potential cap-related headaches. The team is set to see a number of key players become free agents in 2016.

Linebackers Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson, nose tackle Dontari Poe and cornerback Sean Smith are all eligible for next year's market, according to Spotrac.com. The Chiefs can't pay everybody.

If they tag Houston and tie down even one of next year's quartet now, there'll be little money left over to match any decent offer another team makes to Parker. McCloughan should be among the first to test that theory.

Signing Parker would ease the pressure on Washington to select a safety at the top end of the draft. McCloughan would instead be free to focus on adding quality players to the trenches on both sides of the ball.

Stevan Ridley, RB, New England Patriots

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Stevan Ridley is worthy of a gamble for a Redskins offense that needs another capable runner, preferably one suited to a power-based scheme. At his best, Ridley is certainly both of those things.

He's quick, shifty and powerful, with a good feel for following his blockers and the design of a play. Ridley runs hard on his 5'11", 220-pound frame and explodes through holes once they develop.

The 26-year-old is easily the most talented running back on the New England Patriots roster. Yet he's never quite been able to convince head coach Bill Belichick to abandon his committee approach in the running game.

The reason is simple: Ridley has struggled to stay healthy and his ball security is questionable. He made 14 appearances and just six starts in 2013 and lost four fumbles.

Last season was even tougher for Ridley. He suffered a major knee injury after just six appearances, tearing both his ACL and MCL, per NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport.

Ridley had made five starts and rushed for 340 yards with no fumbles before then. Now, though, he may not be able to get back into the rotation once he's healthy.

The Pats won the Super Bowl trusting Jonas Gray, Brandon Bolden, Shane Vereen and veteran LeGarrette Blount. The latter became Belichick's workhorse of choice during the playoff run.

With so many question marks surrounding his durability and development, Ridley may be deemed surplus to requirements. But while the back who topped 1,200 yards in 2012 may no longer fit in New England, he'd be perfect for the Redskins.

Gruden and new offensive line coach Bill Callahan both share a preference for power blocking in the running game. Ridley's played in that scheme his entire career.

His experience as a rotational runner for the Patriots would also be a massive boost for Washington. It means he probably wouldn't mind splitting carries with current starter Alfred Morris. After all, Ridley's gotten used to sharing the load.

Ridley would make Washington's offense less reliant on Morris. His presence would also help guard against the product of Shanahan's famed zone system not making the grade in another scheme.

Sharing carries would also put less pressure on Ridley once he's fresh off a major injury.

If McCloughan gets a favorable report on Ridley's recovery, he should waste no time testing New England's resolve to keep the player. Having two 1,000-yard rushers in the backfield would be a major boost to Gruden's offense in 2015. 

Jabaal Sheard, OLB, Cleveland Browns

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There are many reasons to endorse Jabaal Sheard as the solution to Washington's search for a new weapon in the pass rush. He's played both end and outside linebacker in 4-3 and 3-4 defenses.

Sheard is flexible enough to rush standing up or from a three-point stance, and from either side of the formation. He's also learned how to take short-range drops in zone coverage.

Thanks to a thick, 6'3", 264-pound frame, Sheard is also stout enough to stand up to the run. In short, the 2011 second-round pick is perfect for the demands of a hybrid defense.

His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, is already touting Sheard as a candidate to draw major interest on the market, per ESPN Browns reporter Jeremy Fowler. While it's only natural for an agent to talk up his client, Sheard's core skills make him worthy of interest.

The only drawback is the meager two sacks he managed in 2014 while occupying a situational role. But the 25-year-old tallied 21 quarterback takedowns during his first three seasons in the league.

One other concern is that Sheard has often done his best work from the strong side of a formation. That just happens to be the same side Kerrigan calls home.

But Sheard's ability to line up in multiple spots means this needn't be too big a problem. He could help Washington's D show a variety of looks to an offense, depending on where he begins a play and what stance he takes.

A young player with this much upside should command a lot of attention from a team needing to rebuild its roster and overhaul its schemes.

Every player on this list is on the right side of 30 and scheme versatile. They also each answer an obvious need for the Redskins at a potentially reasonable price.

That makes them perfect targets for McCloughan's first free-agency period in charge.

All statistics and player information via NFL.com, unless otherwise stated.