Washington Redskins Free-Agency Tracker: Updated Signings, Rumors and Grades
Defense, defense and more defense has wisely been new Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan's approach to free agency. He's signed four veterans for that side of the ball.
Among them is a safety from a Super Bowl roster, alongside a cornerback who enjoyed a breakout season in 2014. They represent smart moves to improve last season's 24th-ranked pass defense.
That figure will also be improved by the arrival of two talented defensive linemen, one who's noted for his ability to pressure the passer. Meanwhile, his fellow newbie will demand lots of attention inside and free others to make big plays.
Find out how the Redskins have improved defensively, as well as what other moves McCloughan is exploring.
Follow this tracker for grades and analysis once signings are made official, as well as updates on the latest rumors.
All salary-cap information via OverTheCap.com and Spotrac.com.
All player details and profiles via NFL.com.
Redskins Re-Sign Colt McCoy, QB
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In one of the smarter moves they've made this offseason, the Redskins re-signed quarterback Colt McCoy. ESPN's Adam Schefter broke the news, before Mike Jones of The Washington Post confirmed.
Head coach Jay Gruden may appear to have bloated the quarterback rotation, but keeping McCoy is actually just good sense. There's simply too many question marks surrounding Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins.
The former is weighed down by potentially fatal flaws with his mechanics. It doesn't help that the relationship between coach and the player who cost a king's ransom in 2012, is certainly fractured, possibly beyond repair.
Meanwhile, Cousins is the best fit for the pocket-based passing game Gruden prefers. At least, that's when he's not putting the ball between the numbers of coverage defenders.
Cousins' penchant for turnovers could speak to an inability to stay poised under pressure. That's as destructive a flaw as any issue Griffin has.
McCoy doesn't boast the physical talent either of Washington's young guns possess. His arm strength is certainly lacking.
Yet the 28-year-old did appear the most comfortable with Gruden's offense in 2014. There was a coherence to the scheme with McCoy under center.
Not every game reflected that coherence, but it was at least possible to see how Gruden wants his offense to look when McCoy was throwing the passes. There was also greater confidence evident in the play calling, with more audibles included.
But it isn't just an affinity with the playbook that makes keeping McCoy around a good move. He also has a knack for getting teams over the line. After all, the Redskins won more games with McCoy than Cousins or Griffin last season.
The decision to bring the veteran signal-caller back has provided invaluable insurance at the most important, and the most contentious, position on the team.
Grade: B
Washington Adds a Safety
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It's taken them long enough, but the Washington Redskins finally plugged a free agent into the obvious hole at safety. McCloughan tabbed former Seattle Seahawks reserve Jeron Johnson to help fix one of this team's perennial woes.
Johnson has signed a two-year contract worth $4 million, according to National Football Post reporter Aaron Wilson. The player who started just one game during four seasons with the Seahawks, should expect to challenge for a starting berth right away in Washington.
Johnson spent his time in Seattle behind Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas. The Redskins don't boast talent anywhere close to comparable at either safety spot.
If Johnson can't beat at least one of Duke Ihenacho, Akeem Davis or Phillip Thomas to a prominent role, this defense will be in trouble.
Yet at least McCloughan has dipped into the veteran market for help. He knows Johnson from his time in Seattle's personnel office.
As an added bonus, the 26-year-old strong safety is also a very useful special teams player. That's another area where the Redskins are always looking for help.
McCloughan shunned some more high-profile safeties, but he has at least beefed up the numbers at a wafer-thin rotation.
Grade: B-
Safety Search Intensifies
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After waiting a little too long, the Redskins finally appear to be paying attention to that gaping hole at safety. The team will host Seattle Seahawks backup Jeron Johnson, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports.
Johnson has made just one start in four years with the Seahawks. But Garafolo believes he has "starter potential" and the lack of game time has been more about playing deputy to Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor.
At 5'10" and 212 pounds, the 26-year-old has the build of a natural strong safety. But he's learned his trade in system where players at the position have to be interchangeable. That's vital versatility for a Redskins secondary needing help at both spots.
Signing Johnson to a starter-worthy contract would require a leap of faith that he is a rising talent who just needs more opportunities to showcase his skills.
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Washington Signs Chris Culliver, CB
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Washington moved quickly to add a versatile defensive back to a wafer-thin secondary. The Redskins gave former San Francisco 49ers starter Chris Culliver a four-year, $32 million contract, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.
As a player who can operate at both safety and corner, Culliver is a useful addition to one of the worst defensive backfields in football. The 6'0", 199-pounder has the size to play press, but is also opportunistic and instinctive enough to make plays in off coverage.
Just one year after tearing his ACL, Culliver picked off four passes, broke up 14 more and forced a fumble last season. He can play on the outside or in the slot and isn't afraid to hit.
Culliver is certainly no stranger to controversy. He made highly controversial, infamous comments when the 49ers made the Super Bowl during the 2012/13 season. Comments he later apologised for.
Last offseason, Culliver was arrested on "hit-and-run and weapons offenses." ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim cited that incident as a reason to be skeptical about the potential numbers in this deal.
Now the figures are known, it's significant they look like starter's numbers. That makes sense considering Culliver is coming off a breakout campaign and joining a secondary that can only count second-year pro Bashaud Breeland as an obvious keeper.
Grade: B-
Brian Orakpo Joins Tennessee Titans
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It could be edge-rusher or bust for the Redskins in the 2015 NFL draft, after the Brian Orakpo era came to an end in Washington. The team's top draft pick in 2009 has joined the Tennessee Titans, per Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean: "The deal for Orakpo is also four years, and worth roughly $31 million, with $13.5 million in guarantees and an additional $4 million in incentives, per sources."
Orakpo was never going to earn that type of money in D.C. Not after a litany of injuries and production that veered sharply from excellent to non-existent.
During six seasons wearing burgundy and gold, Orakpo missed 25 games and only reached double-digit sacks twice. He played the best football of his career in 2013, looking every inch a dominant rush linebacker in a 3-4. But that was followed by just half a sack in seven games after earning the franchise tag ahead of the 2014 season.
At his best, Orakpo is a highly effective pass-rusher this team will miss, despite the fiscal sense in not matching the type of deal the Titans offered. What it does mean is increased pressure on 2014 second-round pick Trent Murphy to pick up the pass-rush slack and ease the burden on budding star Ryan Kerrigan.
With free agents such as Pernell McPhee, Jabaal Sheard, Akeem Ayers, Brandon Graham and Jerry Hughes off the market, the Redskins may focus on the draft to reinforce this position.
That's not a bad idea in a year boasting a deep class of pass-rushers.
Washington Agrees One-Year Deal for Terrance Knighton
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If you weren't impressed with the slow start Washington had made to free agency, it proved worth the wait. The Redskins followed the addition of Stephen Paea by agreeing a one-year, $4 million deal for nose guard Terrance Knighton, per NFL.com Media Insider Ian Rapoport.
ESPN's Josina Anderson confirmed Knighton told her he will sign the single-season contract.
By adding Knighton, the Redskins have changed the conversation about what their 3-4 defense will look like in 2015. Up until now, all the talk has been about attacking single gaps, head coach Jay Gruden has been talking shooting gaps, and the team has been tripping over itself to acquire 3-techniques.
But Knighton is a beast of a different kind. Specifically, he's the monster in the middle this team has needed ever since switching to the 3-4 in 2010.
While other players have struggled to be appropriate scheme fits, there's no doubts about Knighton's game. He's a mass of humanity who fills multiple gaps and can't be successfully blocked by one man.
The 28-year-old is the focal point of a run defense. His presence helped the Denver Broncos rank second against the run in 2014, one year after he anchored the eighth-stingiest rush defense in football.
Getting Knighton means Washington at last has a niche talent at the most important position on their base front.
Although Knighton still needs to officially put pen to paper, this signing merits early praise of the highest order.
Grade: A
Redskins Plan Visit with Chris Culliver
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The line shouldn't be the only area of the defense to get beefed up during this market. Washington also needs to get bigger and more aggressive at the edges of its secondary.
That's why a visit with 6'0", 199-pound defensive back Chris Culliver is intriguing news. CBS Sports reporter Jason La Canfora stated Washington will meet with the cover man who snatched four interceptions for the San Francisco 49ers in 2014.
As an increasingly proficient cornerback with some experience at safety, Culliver would offer a major boost to a secondary that needs extra talent everywhere. NESN.com writer Doug Kyed rates him as one of the best cornerbacks left in free agency. He highlights the 26-year-old's "size and skill" to thrive in man coverage.
Washington's defensive backs have to be more punishing against receivers than they were last season. Adding a player with Culliver's tenacity and opportunism would certainly help.
Terrance Knighton Has Good Visit with Redskins
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The chances of Terrance Knighton wearing burgundy and gold in 2015 still seem solid after the mammoth road grader enjoyed a good visit in Washington. Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post reported Knighton talked with coaches.
He also stated how the Broncos have little interest in bringing the house-sized 0-technique back to The Mile High City. Renck stresses the AFC West outfit is keen to have younger players replace the 28-year-old.
It makes sense for Denver to lean toward lighter, quicker options for new coordinator Wade Phillips' one-gap scheme. The Redskins are making their own move toward single-gap principles for 2015.
But that needn't rule Washington out of the running for Knighton. The early moves to sign Ricky Jean Francois and Stephen Paea to join Jason Hatcher in the rotation at end, gives the defense more pass-rush potential up front.
But being lighter on the edges could well leave the D' softer against the run. That's a problem Knighton's arrival would instantly solve. Few nose guards in the NFL clog lanes and redirect runners as well as the 6'3", 331-pounder.
Knighton would keep blockers off inside linebackers Perry Riley Jr. and Keenan Robinson, as well as creating plenty of one-on-one opportunities for Hatcher and company.
Of course, every defensive front wants a foil who makes those around him better. The Redskins certainly have company in the Knighton sweepstakes.
The Baltimore Ravens are keen on the beefy nose tackle after sending Haloti Ngata to the Detroit Lions, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun. But a good visit in Washington rates as a positive first step toward landing one of the most valuable players on the market.
Redskins Miss out on Brandon Browner
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Brandon Browner won't even give Washington the chance to recruit him. He had a visit set up with the Redskins, but apparently the 30-year-old found the lure of playing for the New Orleans Saints too much to resist.
Mike Jones of The Washington Post reported Browner agreed a "three-year deal worth a reported $18 million" to join the Saints. It's more than a mild blow for Washington, owners of a threadbare secondary, one only slightly better stocked at cornerback than safety.
In last season's fourth-round pick Bashaud Breeland, the Redskins have a keeper. The scrappy 23-year-old who picked off two passes as a rookie, could be a focal point as the team's potential shutdown corner.
But the talent around him, or lack of it, rates as a major worry. Veterans DeAngelo Hall and Tracy porter are both injury concerns, while fellow starter David Amerson has become a favorite target for quarterbacks.
Browner's towering size, beefy frame and punishing approach to coverage would have provided a major boost. Now the team must widen its search for help at corner.
Washington Maintains Interest in Taylor Mays
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Like it or not, Washington's search for reinforcements at safety still seems to be focused on Taylor Mays. There's "mutual interest" between the team and the former San Francisco 49ers draft bust, turned Cincinnati Bengals' bit-par player, per ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim.
Mays has never made the grade as a starter during five pro seasons. But he is a natural free safety who can also help on special teams.
The problem is this looks like just another halfway measure for trying to solve the most troublesome position on the roster.
Brandon Browner Will Visit the Redskins
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McCloughan's history with the Seattle Seahawks likely means he's enamored with big, physical cornerbacks. So it's no surprise that ex-Seahawks starter and current New England Patriots Super Bowl winner, Brandon Browner is on the radar.
The towering 30-year-old will visit Redskins Park after a stop with the New Orleans Saints, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Although his age will put some off, Browner's skills as an aggressive, press corner should be very appealing to Washington.
The rightly maligned secondary has occasionally looked capable when given license to rough up receivers at the line. But successfully playing press requires big, bump-and-run cover men who won't be fooled by double moves.
As a safety sized cornerback, Browner fits that mold. He's still got decent speed, particularly for a 6'4", 221-pounder.
Browner has made a career out of plastering himself to a pass-catcher throughout a route. He's especially adept at clamping receivers to the sideline and giving quarterbacks shrinking windows to aim for.
Browner would bring those niche abilities to a secondary that desperately needs a change in personality as much as a talent overhaul. He also offers invaluable experience of winning cultures from his time with the Seahawks and Pats.
The latter are prepared to let him "explore his value," according to Boston Herald reporter Jeff Howe. Provided his demands aren't too tall, Washington should pull out a few stops to bring Browner aboard.
Perrish Cox Cox to Visit
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As much as improving options at safety dominates talk of getting better in the secondary, Washington could certainly use another cornerback or two. One likely candidate appears to be San Francisco 49ers starter Perrish Cox.
He's set to visit with the team, according to NFL.com Media Insider Ian Rapoport. Cox definitely made the most of his first season as an outright starter in the Bay Area.
The 28-year-old picked off five passes and broke up 17 more for the Niners in 2014. He's also a willing hitter against the run.
Cox would offer decent size on the outside at 6'0" and 190 pounds. That fits with the bigger cornerbacks McCloughan may prefer following his time in the Seattle Seahawks front office.
If the Redskins are really keen, they'll have to compete with the Cleveland Browns. Cox will visit the AFC North outfit on Thursday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain-Dealer.
Both teams should have a clear run at the veteran cover man, after Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reported the 49ers aren't in the running to retain Cox.
The Washington defense needs more options at the edges of its secondary. DeAngelo Hall is coming off two Achilles injuries that wrecked his 2014 season.
Meanwhile, Tracy Porter barely saw the field last season. When he did, fans hardly noticed the brittle slot cornerback. It doesn't help that youngster David Amerson has struggled since joining the pros in 2014.
McCloughan needs to find another talented cover man with starter potential to pair with last season's fourth-round pick Bashaud Breeland. Cox certainly fits the bill.
Terrance Knighton Will Visit Wahsington
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After turning his back on the Oakland Raiders, Terrance Knighton will visit the Redskins. Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post reported the mammoth nose tackle's proposed stop in D.C.
Knighton is perfect for the heart of Washington's defense. Since switching to the 3-4 in 2010, the team has worked through a procession of candidates for the key 0-technique role.
Ma'ake Kemoeatu, Albert Haynesworth, Chris Neild, Barry Cofield Jr. and Chris Baker all tried, but ultimately failed, to anchor Washington's three-man front. The position was a carousel in 2014 as Baker, Cofield, Jenkins, Kedric Golston and Frank Kearse all took turns.
No 3-4, no matter what techniques are used up front, can survive without a dominant force in the middle.
Enter Knighton, the proverbial "immovable object." At 6'3" and a very conservatively estimated 331 pounds, the 28-year-old is a land mass who acts as a magnet for double teams.
Put Knighton in the middle and ends like Jason Hatcher and Ricky Jean Francois will face regular one-on-one matchups. Just as important, inside linebackers Keenan Robinson and Perry Riley Jr. will be kept clean from blockers and left free to run to the ball.
Knighton may be chasing an ample contract, but it's one worth paying for Washington to earn a focal point for the run defense and a nose guard who will make every member of the front seven more productive.
Roy Helu Jr. Joins the Oakland Raiders
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The Redskins waved goodbye to a valuable member of the offense as Roy Helu Jr. joined the Oakland Raiders. ESPN's Adam Caplan first reported the deal, which was later confirmed as a two-year contract totalling north of $4 million.
Washington has now lost a useful change-of-pace option on the ground. More important, Helu is an invaluable outlet as a talented and frankly underused, receiver.
He's a great fit for the third-down role since lead ball-carrier Alfred Morris isn't an adept pass-catcher. Now only fullback Darrel Young remains as a capable backfield receiver.
Of course, Helu's exit does create a space for head coach Jay Gruden to recruit a truly explosive option. A player with game-breaking speed and top-notch elusiveness.
While Helu is a jack of many trades, it's not unfair to say he's a master of none. His running is a little too upright, and while his speed is solid, it's not elite.
Still, if Gruden can't find a niche player for third-down duties Helu is sure to be missed.
Clint Boling to Stay in Cincinnati
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Strike one more offensive lineman off the list. Clint Boling has decided to stay with the Cincinnati Bengals, per NFL.com Media reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala. That means Washington has now passed on five potential upgrades for one of the league's worst offensive lines.
Boling even had an obvious connection to Gruden. The two worked together when Gruden ran the offense for the AFC North club.
Given Boling's versatility to play guard or tackle on either side, it's surprising the Redskins didn't at least kick the tyres on this 25-year-old blocker.
Washington may earn plaudits for taking a cautious approach to free agency, with the only focus so far being defense. But the team may rue not doing something to fix the group that surrendered 58 sacks last season.
Roy Helu Jr. Chased by 3 Teams
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One free agent seemingly set to walk away from the burgundy and gold is versatile running back Roy Helu Jr. He's certainly not lacking for suitors.
ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim tweeted AFC East foes the New England Patriots and New York Jets are keen. So are the Oakland Raiders. Keim also revealed how the Redskins are unlikely to move to match any offers for the play they traded to select in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft.
Helu's an interesting case. He has value to the offense, but it's not easy gauging just how much.
As a highly capable receiver he expands the playbook by offering a skill lead workhorse Alfred Morris doesn't possess. Helu also offers change-of-pace qualities thanks to his acceleration and shiftiness as a runner.
Versatility is always a useful trait, especially in the backfield. That's why Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan believes Washington could rue allowing Helu to slip through the net.
It's not difficult to agree with that view. But it's not clear how long Helu wants to merit merely a marginal role.
More specifically, it's not clear how much Washington head coach Jay Gruden values a sub-package player. Helu is very capable on third-down duty, but for all his merits, he's not explosive in the mold of a Shane Vereen or Darren Sproles.
What is clear though is that by letting Helu saunter through the exit door, the Redskins will create a void that needs to be filled on offense, either through the draft or during this free-agency cycle.
Terrance Knighton Possibly Still in Play
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It seemed as though Terrance Knighton was out of Washington's reach. But the latest rumors suggest the hulking nose guard could be back in play.
The Redskins had been linked with the jumbo space-eater by Troy E. Renck and Mike Klis of The Denver Post. But ESPN Denver reporter Cecil Lammey subsequently ruled Washington and the Chicago Bears out of the running. In the process, he also identified the Oakland Raiders and Indianapolis Colts as frontrunners.
Yet Knighton himself has since dismissed the chances of joining the Silver and Black, per ESPN's Josina Anderson (h/t Pro Football Talk writer Mike Wilkening).
If there's still a chance to turn Knighton's head toward D.C., McCloughan should take it. He's so far retooled the defensive line with slight, "shoot-the-gap" types.
That's alright for the pass rush, but a smaller front will leave Washington's D' vulnerable to the run, particularly on base downs. Put Knighton's mammoth frame in the middle and those worries go away.
Whether the Redskins use single-gap or two-gap techniques for 2015, every 3-4 needs a force over center who won't get pushed back and will consistently swallow up blockers.
Few behemoths in the league are better suited to that role than the player dubbed "pot roast."
Redskins Sign Stephen Paea, DT
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Mike Jones of The Washington Post confirmed one of the strongest pre-free agency rumors by stating Washington has added Stephen Paea. The former Chicago Bears nose tackle will bring a talent for pressuring the interior to D.C.
As a player who operated as a shaded 1-technique in Da Bears' 4-3 front, Paea seems like an awkward scheme fit in Washington's 3-4 defense.
The Redskins clearly aren't worried about the fit because they've given Paea a healthy deal. ESPN reporters Keim and Michael C. Wright indicated Paea has signed a four-year contract totalling $21 million, including $15 million in guaranteed money.
Concerns about Paea's ability to hold his ground in a three-man front apparently convinced the new regime in the Windy City to let him test the market, according to ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim.
But Keim also referenced an interesting comparison that hints at how Paea could thrive in burgundy and gold:
"person who knew Paea well from working w/him in Chi says he'd be best used like a Corey Liuget in San Diego: 1gapper inside or DE in base
— John Keim (@john_keim) March 9, 2015"
The Liuget comparison is apt because new defensive coordinator Joe Barry worked with him in San Diego. He saw firsthand how the Chargers regularly aligned Liuget as a 3-technique between the guard-tackle B gap.
That type of alignment can bring the best out of Paea, a player who logged six sacks in 2014. But don't rule out Barry kicking his new signing over the center.
After all, that's where Paea most often lined up for the Bears, albeit in a shaded alignment that let him focus on attacking a single A gap. No matter where he lines up, Paea's presence with fellow new boy Ricky Jean Francois and holdover Jason Hatcher gives Washington a trio of one-gap pass-rushers.
That's welcome news for a unit that recorded just 36 sacks last season. Jones detailed how Redskins linemen accounted for just 10 of those sacks.
But the signing isn't without its warning signs. Most notably, the Redskins may not be the stoutest D' against the run in 2015.
Barry has just come from a 3-4 scheme that favored a lighter, quicker line. The problem was the Chargers ranked 26th against the run. Liuget, Kendall Reyes and 303-pound nose guard Sean Lissemore were routinely rocked off the line of scrimmage.
It remains to be seen how well 6'1", 300-pound Paea, or 6'3" 297-pounder Francois can anchor the new-look front on base downs.
Just putting Paea into a 3-4 also creates another question. The Redskins are repeating asking a 4-3 vet to adjust to a new front.
It didn't really work out with Barry Cofield Jr., so why should it be different now? Maybe the new scheme answers that. Maybe it doesn't.
There's just a few too many questions marks for a player who's been given a more-than solid contract.
Grade: C
This signing gets a cautious grade. Paea is an intriguing addition, but it's hard not to worry about how well he'll function in the base D'.
His pass-rush skills are certainly welcome, as is his leverage and strength. But he struggled against the rush on a Bears run defense that ranked 17th last season.
Hoping to be proved wrong, this writer will sit on the fence for now.
Marquee Offensive Linemen Already off the Market
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It hasn't taken long for Washington to miss out on some marquee veterans who would've help fix a dreadful offensive line. A quartet of marquee blockers have already been plucked off the market.
Former Denver Broncos house-sized guard and tackle Orlando Franklin joined divisional foe the San Diego Chargers. Ricky Henne of the Chargers official site confirmed the deal.
Franklin hadn't appeared on Washington's radar, but Mike Iupati and Bryan Bulaga certainly had. The latter apparently garnered "strong interest" from Redskins Park, according to NBC4 Sports reporter Dianna Marie Russini.
But Iupati will reportedly take his ample frame and destructive run blocking to the Arizona Cardinals, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Meanwhile, Bulaga, was linked to Washington by Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. But the natural and accomplished right tackle has opted to stay with the Green Bay Packers.
NFL.com Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Bulaga will earn "just under $7 million" annually.
You can also add powerful and skilled zone-blocking guard James Carpenter to the list of quality linemen the Redskins won't get. Rapoport reported how the ex-Seattle Seahawks first-round pick will sign a four-year deal paying $5 million per year to join the New York Jets.
Believe it or not, it actually seems as though the Redskins are being put off by the price tags. CSN Washington writer Rich Tandler suggested this might happen when McCloughan and company saw Doug Free and Derek Newton quickly earn new deals to stay at home.
But Washington officials shouldn't be surprised the market is inflated. The going rate for capable blockers in a pass-first league is always going to be high.
Can the team that surrendered 58 sacks in 2014 really afford not to enter the bidding wars?
It's certainly a risk, one which puts draft prospects such as Brandon Scherff and La'el Collins in closer focus. Perhaps McCloughan and Gruden are merely biding their time.
Maybe the latter is letting the market settle before he tries to woo Cincinnati Bengals guard Clint Boling. The two know each other well form Gruden's time running the offense for the AFC North outfit.
Yet Washington shouldn't wait for too long. Boling is reportedly "seriously considering signing with the Minnesota Vikings, and reuniting with ex-Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, per Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
At this rate, there won't be any worthy upgrades left by the time the Redskins start getting serious about fixing a major weakness.
Washington Talked with Andrew Gachkar, LB
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Mike Jones of The Washington Post has tweeted the Redskins talked with San Diego Chargers free-agent linebacker Andrew Gachkar. He was a rotational player for the AFC West club in 2014, but Barry was his position coach.
It certainly makes sense that a new coordinator would seek out a player he knows. But it makes more sense for Washington to pursue any viable candidate who can add depth and quality at inside linebacker.
The need for both has been surprisingly overlooked by many this offseason. Make no mistake, this defense needs options behind Keenan Robinson and Perry Riley Jr.
Gachkar doesn't just offer familiarity with Barry. At 6'3" and 240 pounds, he's got good size for the 3-4. He even made five starts for the Chargers last season and was in on 49 tackles.
But as Jones noted, no offer has been sent Gachkar's way yet. Maybe there won't even be one.
But it's still encouraging to see the Redskins exploring their options at a deceptively threadbare position.
Re-Signed Safety Trenton Robinson, S
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The Redskins made another ode to secondary depth by re-signing safety Trenton Robinson. The team's official site broke the news.
The versatile defensive back, who can also line up at corner, offers good cover at every spot in the secondary. Robinson is also a useful special teams contributor.
He's never going to make a major impact, but the 5'9", 195-pound 25-year-old is a useful player to keep around.
Grade: C-
Re-Signed Duke Ihenacho, S
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Although he doesn't look too happy about it in this picture, the Redskins made a smart move to bring back another restricted free agent, safety Duke Ihenacho, per Mike Jones of The Washington Post.
Like Compton, this is purely a depth move, but a necessary one. The safety position is still a major concern and few should expect Ihenacho to push for starting time, but he at least offers some veteran cover.
That's important after Ryan Clark retired and Brandon Meriweather is thankfully set to hit the open market.
When only Phillip Thomas and Akeem Davis remain on the roster, the presence of Ihenacho becomes even more important. With slightly better depth now in place, the next step has to be adding some solid pros to fill the starting berths.
Grade: C
Re-Signed Niles Paul, TE
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No matter what else he does, bringing back Niles Paul will rate as one of the best moves McCloughan made this offseason. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported the Redskins gave Paul a three-year deal paying just under $10 million.
It's a well-worked contract for one of the team's breakout players of 2014. After two seasons patiently working at converting from wide receiver to tight end, Paul finally earned the chance to show what he could do.
The 39 catches he tallied for 507 yards only tell part of the story of the 25-year-old's value. He has given the Washington passing game a true roving Y at the the tight end position.
He's a move-style "joker" who can line up at multiple spots and create mismatches in coverage. Every modern offense needs those skills, especially a Redskins unit that can't count on the oft-injured Jordan Reed to provide for them.
Paul is not close to being as athletically dynamic as Reed. But he's smart and flexible. His next step has to be improving on the single touchdown grab he managed last season.
As an added bonus, though, he'll still be a significant figure on special teams.
McCloughan won big on this deal.
Grade: B+
Re-Signed Tom Compton, OT
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Re-signing any member of the line that gave up 58 sacks in 2014 is bound to raise a few eyebrows. Still, it was probably not the worst idea to bring 2012 sixth-round pick Tom Compton back. After all, he did start nine games last season. But it's not as if Compton suddenly made an obvious weakness strong when he slotted in at right tackle ahead of the dismal Tyler Polumbus.
ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim, who reported Compton's new deal, detailed some of the 25-year-old's issues:
"Compton was considered much better in run blocking than in pass protection last season. At the time, the Redskins coaches blamed some of the protection issues on inexperience. For example, he had to get used to working off a silent count, and that led to him being late off the ball at times. Other times he would take a deeper set and get himself in trouble.
"
Still, it was clear the coaches preferred Compton to Polumbus and 2014 third-round pick Morgan Moses, although injuries also played a part in the latter's anonymity.
But at least Compton is a versatile player who still has room to grow. As a proverbial "swing tackle" who can function on either side, he's useful to have on the roster as a backup with starting experience.
Grade: C
Signed DT Ricky Jean Francois
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McCloughan didn't wait to begin retooling the defensive line. He dove into the league's scrapheap for the player he drafted in 2009 as the general manager of the San Francisco 49ers.
Washington gave Ricky Jean Francois a three-year contract totaling $11.25 million, per agent Drew Rosenhaus (h/t NFL.com's Ian Rapoport).
In terms of getting younger up front, this move makes some sense. Francois is just 28 and represents a refresh after McCloughan showed 30-year-olds Stephen Bowen and Barry Cofield Jr. the door.
But it's difficult to see a player who couldn't make the grade with the Niners and the Indianapolis Colts improving his play very much. The first task will be finding his ideal position.
At 6'3" and 297 pounds, he doesn't have ideal dimensions for a classic 3-4 front. But that shouldn't be a problem, given the changes Washington will make up front this season.
Head coach Jay Gruden has proudly proclaimed the team will use more one-gap techniques in 2015. The defense will be a "shoot-the-gap" type of 3-4, per Mike Jones of The Washington Post.
Francois fits this scheme but may be better over center as a lighter, slanting or shaded zero-technique. When he's played end, he's too often been blown off the ball in the running game.
Given the uncertainty over his ideal position, as well as a spotty collection of performances throughout his career, there are more questions than answers with this signing.
Grade: C-
Washington Nearing Deal to Sign Stephen Paea, DT
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The increasingly interesting overhaul of the defensive line will continue as Washington inches toward a deal with tackle Stephen Paea. CSN Chicago reporter Jen Lada tweeted the apparently soon-to-be ex-Chicago Bears starter will sign a four-year contract with the Redskins.
That was followed by apparent confirmation from NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, based on talk involving the player himself.
Paea is an intriguing fit for the new scheme. At 6'1" and 300 pounds, he has classic zero-technique size. In fact, he was often a shaded zero in Chicago's 4-3 front. But Paea, despite good leverage and awesome natural strength, may be too small to anchor the 3-4 front Washington is adopting.
His real value will be providing interior pressure by attacking single gaps. He did that well in 2014, registering a career-high six sacks.
With Jason Hatcher, another expert one-gap penetrator, on the line, Washington's ability to pressure the pocket is sure to increase in 2015. That's great news after the defense notched a pitiful 36 sacks last season.
But you do have to wonder how well the base front will stand up to the run with a trio of trench warriors barely pushing the 300-pound barrier possibly starting.
This tracker will have more details on Paea once his deal is officially confirmed.
Interest in Justin Forsett, RB
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Can you ever say no to a running back who's just rushed for 1,266 yards? That's a question McCloughan and Gruden appear to be asking themselves about Justin Forsett.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport credited Washington with interest in the Baltimore Ravens' Pro Bowl ball-carrier, along with the New Orleans Saints. Meanwhile, Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun included the Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts and Ravens along with the Redskins as keen parties.
Frankly, this is a strange one for Washington. Both Gruden and McCloughan have made noise about preferring a power-based scheme on the ground.
They ditched former offensive line coach Chris Foerster in favor of ex-Cowboys assistant Bill Callahan. He's another coach who seems to lean toward power concepts.
But Forsett just rose to prominence in the exact same zone-style stretch system Washington has run since 2010. He's also just proved his worth as a feature back.
Would he really trade that in to, at best, split carries with Alfred Morris in D.C.?
Forsett has the quickness to be a change of pace to Morris, but settling for a marginal role is hardly the way to cash in on a career season, even for a back who will turn 30 in 2015.
3 Safeties on the Radar
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This team needs safeties in the worst way possible. Fortunately, it seems that for once, the thought won't be shared by every Washington fan but ignored by the franchise.
In fact, three safeties are reportedly already on the team's radar as the start of free agency nears. The first has an obvious connection to new defensive coordinator Joe Barry.
San Diego Chargers starter Marcus Gilchrist is one of the first players McCloughan and his staff have "inquired about," according to Mike Jones of The Washington Post. CBS Sports reporter Jason La Canfora confirmed the interest in Gilchrist, but added Philadelphia Eagles strong safety Nate Allen to the list.
Gilchrist is the better option. The Redskins know Allen well, having seen him up close in the NFC East for years.
They know what he can do, which is hit. They also know what he can't do, which is cover with any degree of proficiency.
But Barry knows Gilchrist. He knows how important the 26-year-old was to last season's fourth-ranked pass defense.
Gilchrist understands coverage and can hold his own in space. He's also a willing force player against the run, as his 76 tackles prove.
There is also room for one free safety on Washington's shopping list. Unfortunately, it's Taylor Mays, per Pro Football Talk reporter Mike Florio.
Mays lasted just one season in San Francisco after being drafted by the 49ers in the second round in 2010. He was soon traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, where he would've met Gruden, who was running the offense.
But Mays has never become a starter in four seasons in the Queen City. It's easy to believe Washington needs a more proven option at the weakest spot on the roster.
The current safety market is hardly overflowing with All-Pros. But this team can and should do better than Mays.
Bryan Bulaga a Possible Answer at Right Tackle
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If the Redskins are serious about finally fixing the right tackle position, they won't be able to avoid paying a fortune to do it. They certainly won't avoid it if Green Bay Packers starter Bryan Bulaga is a serious target.
Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel links Washington as one of three teams interested in the 25-year-old who started 15 games for the Packers last season.
But Silverstein also noted how Bulaga wants "between $7 million and $8 million per year" from his next contract. Those demands could deter a lot of teams.
The Redskins have already been put off by the money Houston Texans starter Derek Newton wanted, according to Mike Jones of The Washington Post. They also didn't see value in any deal for Dallas Cowboys' backup Jermey Parnell, per CBS Sports reporter Jason La Canfora. However, Washington held strong interest in the player Callahan coached last season, per Fox Sports' Mike Garafolo.
Wanting value is one thing, and certainly not a bad thing. But in a pass-first league, the offensive line is the last place a team in need is likely to find it.
There has to be an acceptance in D.C. that this team's current linemen aren't good enough. Therefore, newbies are needed, even if none will come cheap.
Redskins Pursuing Terrance Knighton, NT
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You wont have to ask where the beef on the Washington defense is if the team makes good on its pursuit of house-sized nose guard Terrance Knighton. The Redskins have been named as an interested party in the sumo-style run-stuffer affectionately and fittingly known as "Pot Roast," per Troy E. Renck and Mike Klis of The Denver Post.
As rumors go, this is one of the more interesting ones. For all the talk of one-gap fronts and shooting gaps, Knighton rates as a classic space-eater.
But it's not as though all single-gap 3-4 fronts need a nimble-footed Jeremiah Ratliff or an Earl Mitchell to work.
Indeed, the Chargers once ran a one-gap scheme with 348-pound Jamal Williams as the anchor. In today's game, the Arizona Cardinals do the same with 327-pound free-agent Dan Williams.
Wedge Knighton into the middle of Washington's defense, and Hatcher and Francois would have all the freedom they need to get upfield and play run only on their way to quarterbacks.
Check back with this tracker for more rumors, analysis and grades, as stories involving the Redskins develop during this free-agency period.
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