Washington Redskins Blueprint for Winning Free Agency

OK, so you're Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan. Your remit is clear: Overhaul a roster that's won just seven games in two years and establish a framework for consistent success.

The first tool at your disposal is the free-agent market. You've already made a good start by trimming a pair of bloated contracts off the payroll and working more room under the cap.

So what are you going to do now with your extra funds?

Come on now, that's not such a head-scratcher. At least it shouldn't be.

McCloughan's blueprint for winning in free agency is actually alarmingly simple. All Redskins fans ought to know the checklist by now.

It reads a little something like this: Sign a safety. Sign another safety. Recruit a blue-chip offensive lineman (if funds allow) and find some playmakers for the defensive front.

If McCloughan sticks to his belief about not favoring handing out luxury contracts to veterans in their 30s, he can even narrow his potential list of targets.

But the points listed here have to be his main objectives during his first market in charge in Washington. Here's what his ideal blueprint for winning free agency might look like.

Add Some More Playmakers to the Defensive Line

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Entering this offseason, get younger and more talented along the D-line was an underrated priority for Washington. But if early indicators are anything to go by, it's a process McCloughan is going to take very seriously.

He began in earnest by acquiring Ricky Jean Francois off the league's waiver wire, per NFL.com Media Insider Ian Rapoport. McCloughan helped draft Francois when he was heading the San Francisco 49ers front office in 2009.

Francois will offer the Redskins D-line rotation some much-needed versatility. He can play end or nose tackle, although the latter position seems like his best fit.

The 28-year-old has been overpowered by double-teams when he's played on the edge. He certainly was when he filled in for Justin Smith during the Niners' 2012 season.

But Francois, whose spent the past two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, may be surprisingly effective as a shaded 0-technique in Washington's more aggressive, one-gap 3-4 in 2015.

Head coach Jay Gruden has promised a "shoot-the-gap-type" scheme that won't include two-gap principles, according to Mike Jones of The Washington Post.

The scheme also won't include Stephen Bowen and Barry Cofield Jr. Not after McCloughan wisely cut ties with the two veteran linemen, per ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim.

He noted how dumping Bowen translates to a savings of $5.5 million under the cap this season. Meanwhile, Cofield's exit has saved $4.12 million.

The moves have boosted Washington's cap number to $28,050,288, according to OverTheCap.com. The extra space will be welcome because this defensive front certainly needs a few more talented bodies.

Real Redskins blogger Rich Tandler has written about the state of "flux" regarding the current rotation. He dubbed veterans Jason Hatcher and Kedric Golston as "temporary placeholders at best," and believes "another free agent or two" could join the team.

Finding that free agent or two shouldn't be so difficult. Not when players such as Arizona Cardinals nose tackle Dan Williams, Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Jared Odrick and the recently released Kendall Langford are on the market.

All three can play end or tackle and have operated in three and four-man defensive fronts. Their versatility would allow new defensive coordinator Joe Barry to mix up his looks, something he's apparently keen on doing.

A defense can only be more flexible up front if its linemen can play multiple techniques. Of course, Cofield could play both end and nose tackle. In another ESPN article, Keim speculated the ex-new York Giants Super Bowl winner might return to Washington, provided he puts some longstanding injury woes in the rearview.

But Cofield will be 31 just after free agency begins. It's safer to bet on McCloughan recruiting a few younger options.

Adding some versatile road graders would certainly be a winning move during this market.

Win the Mike Iupati Sweepstakes

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While it's still easy to believe Washington would be best served drafting some young offensive linemen, it would be hard to argue the Redskins were losing free agency if they signed Mike Iupati.

The team is a top contender to snare the veteran San Francisco 49ers guard, according to NBC4 Sports reporter Dianna Marie Russini. Certainly, Iupati fits the new direction the team wants to take up front.

Specifically, it's a switch to more power-based blocking. That suits the preferences of both McCloughan and Gruden. New O-line coach Bill Callahan also preaches power.

Iupati just happens to be one of the best proponents of that style of blocking in the NFL. He can drive straight ahead and knock D-linemen off the line of scrimmage, even putting more than a few on skates.

Iupati is also very effective pulling around the corner. When he gets to linebackers or defensive backs, he hits for keeps and obliterates run pursuit.

In pass protection, this 6'5", 331-pound behemoth simply absorbs pressure. Stronger protection at the heart of the trenches has to a be a priority for Washington.

Too often in recent seasons, the team's offensive front has been overpowered in the middle. Games against NFC East rival the Philadelphia Eagles simply serve as opportunities for young D-tackle Fletcher Cox to reassert his Pro Bowl credentials.

Establishing a clean pocket to step into throws is one obvious way to help quarterback Robert Griffin III improve as a classic, dropback passer. If Iupati can ensure that, then he'll be worth his weight in gold.

The problem is McCloughan may have to pay exactly that in order to land the 27-year-old. That's if recent contracts handed to touted guards are anything to go by.

Andy Levitre got $46.8 million over six years to join the Tennessee Titans in 2013. Meanwhile, Carl Nicks was given $31 million in guaranteed money to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012.

One thing's for sure, if you want a premier veteran guard, you'd better start backing up the Brinks truck.

Of course, few Redskins fans should bemoan spending big to help fix a line that yielded 58 sacks in 2014. What's not so clear, though, is where Iupati would fit.

He's been a left guard lifer during his pro days in the Bay Area. Washington acquired Shawn Lauvao for that role last offseason.

Perhaps one member of this hulking pair is set to move over to the right side. That would certainly accelerate the end of Chris Chester's stay in D.C. He's 32 and too slight for the new scheme.

McCloughan won't find a better power-based blocker on this year's market than Iupati. He's guaranteed to get his chance to bring him to Washington. CSN Bay Area reporter Matt Maiocco has stated Iupati will be allowed to test the market.

Landing the premier free agent at his position would rate as a major win for McCloughan and the Redskins.

Find Safety Help

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This one really can't be stressed enough. If McCloughan doesn't emerge from his first free-agency cycle in charge in Washington with two starting-caliber safeties, that has to be considered a loss.

The lofty expectation speaks to the extent of this team's need for help at the position. It's been a major problem for multiple seasons, one that reached a low point in 2014.

That's when limited veterans Ryan Clark and Brandon Meriweather ineffectively manned the positions. The former has since retired, while the latter is a free agent who shouldn't be retained.

The fact that only untrusted and untested youngsters Phillip Thomas and Akeem Davis are on the roster as alternatives shows how this position has been left to rot for too long.

The bad news for McCloughan is the 2014 NFL draft class hardly offers rich pickings. Aside from Alabama's Landon Collins, no other prospect at the position garners a first-round grade.

It's a depressing reality that puts the onus on finding help in free agency. Sadly, this year's market is not as rich in marquee names as last year's vintage.

But there are still more than a few useful vets who would, at the very least, finally steady the ship along Washington's last line of defense. Top among them is San Diego Chargers starter Marcus Gilchrist.

He's a sure tackler and played a key role on the league's fourth-stingiest pass defense last season. Still just 26, Gilchrist also has the inside connection to Barry, who served as San Diego's linebackers coach in 2014.

But Gilchrist isn't the only AFC West safety McCloughan would be wise to run the rule over. In fact, the division should be his starting point when it comes to fixing this position.

Kansas City Chiefs starter Ron Parker has experience playing in the box and lining up at cornerback. He enjoyed his finest season yet in 2014.

Meanwhile, 25-year-old Rahim Moore is probably the marquee free-agent safety on this year's market. More a natural center fielder than Parker or Gilchrist, he snatched a quartet of interceptions for the Denver Broncos last season.

Finally, McCloughan should consider Houston Texans starter Kendrick Lewis. He was torched in Kansas City's single-high safety schemes in 2013, but rebounded brilliantly with the Texans. A very smart zone defender, Lewis has the savvy the Washington pass defense has lacked for too long.

McCloughan can find more than a few solid options on this year's market. If he chooses wisely, the Redskins could finally enter a season with safeties who will actually protect the defense, rather constantly expose it.

Sign a Versatile Pass-Rusher

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OK, so practically every mock draft under the sun has Washington taking a pass-rusher with the fifth pick in this year's draft. But can you ever have too many talented pass-rushers?

Well, you probably can if your defense regularly feasts on quarterbacks. But if you're the Redskins and you took down opposing signal-callers just 36 times in 2014, you need all the pressure specialists you can get.

While this draft class is loaded with them, so is the veteran market. In fact, it's loaded with the type of hybrid rush ends Barry will need to make a more aggressive and versatile scheme work.

There are obvious candidates, including Baltimore Ravens situational chameleon Pernell McPhee. Then you have Philadelphia Eagles edge-rushing natural Brandon Graham, as well as Cleveland Browns end/linebacker Jabaal Sheard.

But one of the more intriguing candidates is Akeem Ayers. Traded by the Tennessee Titans during last season in one of the more mind-boggling moves of 2014, Ayers wound up winning a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots.

He played strong-side 'backer in 4-3 sets, outside pass-rusher in 3-4 looks and end in nickel packages for the Pats. Still just 25, Ayers is a roving weapon who just needs the right scheme and the faith of his coaches to really take off.

Washington can offer both as the team works on reshaping its pass-rush rotation. A lot will hinge on the future of free agent Brian Orakpo.

He's the most natural rush man on the roster, but injuries and inconsistent production make him seem like an obvious candidate for the ax. Yet the issue may not be so clear-cut.

ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim stated Washington's decision-makers have warmed to the idea of bringing Orakpo back, but he also emphasized how any potential deal is currently a long way off.

Even if Orakpo returns, there's still room for Ayers or a veteran like him. There's little depth behind Orakpo and budding star Ryan Kerrigan.

Last year's top draft pick Trent Murphy struggled as a rookie. Meanwhile, Jackson Jeffcoat, undrafted in 2014, is extremely raw.

McCloughan would be smart to add another capable pass-rusher, preferably one flexible enough to multitask in the new scheme. Armed with extra weapons, Barry could craft a myriad of ways to make facing Washington more of an uncomfortable experience for quarterbacks.

Sign Virgil Green

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If Ayers is one of the better bargains on this year's market, Virgil Green may be the best. He certainly offers significant value to a Washington offense that needs a little something different at tight end.

Specifically, Green is a devastating blocker in the running game. Almost every successful running play executed by the Denver Broncos in 2014 featured a key block from Green.

He's stout and aggressive enough to overwhelm D-linemen at the point of attack, and is also very useful pulling around the corner as a lead-blocker. No power scheme can be truly effective without a beefy tight end supplementing the O-line.

Green is exactly that, but he's also got untapped receiving skills housed in his 6'5", 255-pound frame. His ability to be an in-line outlet over the middle would offer something different to Jordan Reed's roving skills.

Signing Green would be some of the smartest business McCloughan could do this offseason. But his chances may depend on Denver's own moves.

Starter Julius Thomas is being forced out of the Mile High City according to his agent, per Mike Klis of The Denver Post. Parting ways with their two primary players at the position would leave the Broncos short.

But Green hardly fits the mold of a tight end often preferred by head coach Gary Kubiak. He usually likes to feature a "move-style" player with wide receiver-like skills.

The Broncos also have plenty of tough choices to make regarding other, more high-profile free agents. Among them are wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker, along with nose tackle Terrance Knighton.

Green could easily slip through the cracks. If he lands in D.C., the 26-year-old will immediately upgrade last season's 19th-ranked rushing attack. He'll also give coverage defenders a different type of threat to worry about.

By following the pointers on this list, McCloughan would secure players in the age bracket he wants. He'd also be getting versatile talents, capable of adding more to the playbook on both sides of the ball.

That's a blueprint not only for winning free agency, but winning consistently once the games begin.