4 Positions Washington Redskins Must Still Address Before 2015 Season
Like most fans so soon after the draft, many Washington Redskins supporters believe there isn't much left to fix on the team. The good feeling created by a 10-pick haul that was widely well-received by pundits and writers is still there.
But even a solid dabble in the free-agency market and competent drafting can't answer every need. Nor can they cover some of the weaknesses still apparent on this roster.
Yet it is a testament to the work new general manager Scot McCloughan has already done that most of the remaining needs concern depth. Some positions are still short of that precious quality.
The issue is most obvious at tight end and outside linebacker. A case can be made for adding a more physically imposing blocker at the former position. As for the latter, the rotation on the edge remains thin even after Washington committed a high draft pick to the position. One more outside pass-rusher would certainly be welcome.
Sticking at the linebacker level, the situation on the inside is perhaps the most obvious in need of an immediate upgrade. A disappointing starter could be changed, something not likely to be prompted by the backups currently on the roster.
Of course, any reinforcements added at this stage of the offseason have to come from the bargain-bin end of the veteran market. In fact, "veteran" is the keyword, so those loath to consider players over 30 better look away now, because that's just the way the market is.
But not every problem demands an external solution. There are some in-house options at Washington's disposal that head coach Jay Gruden and his staff will surely explore.
Find out what McCloughan and the Redskins can still fix before the start of the new season.
Adding a Veteran Pass-Rusher Makes Sense
1 of 5
One of the best moves Washington could make between now and the start of the 2015 campaign is to add a savvy pressure specialist. A pass-rusher whose speed may have gone but who still knows all the tricks would be a major boost to a threadbare rotation. He might also teach some of the younger players at the position a thing or two.
The Redskins are counting on youth at one of the vital spots in their hybrid 3-4 scheme. Second-year pro Trent Murphy needs to make significant strides after collecting just 2.5 sacks as a rookie.
He'll already be under pressure thanks to the arrival of this year's second-rounder, Preston Smith. A defensive end at Mississippi State, Smith seems ticketed to convert to standing up on the edge.
Yet there are those who doubt his fit for that role. In particular, Bleacher Report's Michael Felder strongly believes Smith is more suited to life as a 5-technique, gap-controlling D-end. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compared him to Antonio Smith, who has spent most of his career playing on the line in versions of the 3-4.
There have also been concerns raised regarding Smith's ability to consistently win off the edge with quickness and athleticism. ESPN.com's John Keim analyzed three of Smith's games and was left underwhelmed by the player's potential as a speed-rusher from the outside:
"In three games I watched, I did not see him beat anyone off the edge for a sack. Part of that might just be a lack of explosion. He was not always ahead of his teammates off the ball; at most it would be half a step (other top rushers would be a full step).
...
At times, Smith appeared to rush focused more on contain than getting to the passer.
"
With this many question marks hovering over Smith and Murphy, the pressure remains on Ryan Kerrigan to carry the burden when it comes to rushing the passer off the edge. He handled that burden well in 2014, to the tune of a career-best 13.5 sacks. But the team's first-round choice in 2011 needs some support.
If neither Smith nor Murphy can quickly make the grade, the Redskins could struggle. New defensive coordinator Joe Barry may turn to Jackson Jeffcoat, undrafted a year ago, to help out.
Jeffcoat showed some potential toward the end of the season. But at this stage, he really would be Barry's only option, after Washington waved goodbye to Ricky Sapp and Gabe Miller, per the team's official Twitter account.
Instead of making Jeffcoat some kind of in-emergencies-only alternative, the Redskins should take a veteran sack master off the market. Of the remaining options, Shaun Phillips and Dwight Freeney particularly stand out.
The former is an exceptional edge-rusher from a 3-4. Phillips still hasn't lost his knack for applying pressure and can also be moved around to attack the pocket from multiple angles. He'd be a great fit on a one-year deal as a situational weapon.
So would Freeney. A more natural rush end, the 35-year-old is a grand master in the art of taking down quarterbacks. He also worked alongside Barry with the San Diego Chargers for the last two years, so he would be familiar with Washington's current defensive schemes.
Back in March, ESPN 980's Chris Russell hinted the Redskins had some interest in bringing the player who's logged 111.5 career sacks to town. If the deal was right, surely one dictated by pay-for-play terms, Freeney would make a lot of sense as a one-year nickel weapon and pass-rushing tutor for Smith and Murphy.
How About Some Beef at Inside Linebacker?
2 of 5
The book on Brandon Spikes is a quick and simple read. He's a two-down thumper who plays the run like he has a personal vendetta against every NFL back, but he plays the pass as though coverage is something that really only belongs in other sports.
A problem with this view is it's repeated so often that people almost take for granted Spikes' value as a run-stuffer. It's as if stopping a ground game and making an offense one-dimensional has suddenly gone out of fashion for pro defenses.
Well, even in the so-called, pass-first modern era, snuffing out a ground game does matter. Few inside linebackers in football dominate the area between the A-gaps as effectively as Spikes does.
He's almost made the run blitz an art form thanks to his timing and the malevolent force he delivers any time he engulfs the ball-carrier. Make no mistake, those are skills the Redskins will need in 2015.
They'll need them because beating the Philadelphia Eagles will require shutting down two ultra-talented, 1,000-yard runners. The burgundy and gold know all about DeMarco Murray, having faced him enough times when he suited up for hated foe the Dallas Cowboys.
But Washington can't overlook the threat posed by Ryan Mathews. The former San Diego Chargers ace is frustratingly fragile, but when healthy he's as good as any back in the game.
Shutting down the ground hogs in Philly won't be the Redskins' only worry in the new season. The Cowboys may have lost Murray, but they still boast a powerful offensive line that's at its best knocking open holes for runners to exploit.
Even without Murray, there's still talent in the Dallas backfield. Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar are both underrated. Meanwhile, Darren McFadden has plenty left in the tank, provided he can stay healthy long enough to prove it.
Another unheralded talent to keep an eye on is second-year bruiser Andre Williams. He has real potential as the key to the rushing attack for the New York Giants this season.
Take a step outside the division and you'll see how important stout run defense will be to the Redskins this season. There's the potential to face Todd Gurley when the St. Louis Rams come to town in Week 2, depending on how the dynamic runner's recovery progresses.
The schedule also features games against backs the quality of LeSean McCoy, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and Matt Forte. Washington will need a player like Spikes at the heart of the linebacking corps.
His ability to plug gaps and hammer runners far exceeds that of incumbent Perry Riley Jr., who was a major disappointment in 2014. Putting Spikes in his place as a line-of-scrimmage agent of destruction would free the more athletic and versatile Keenan Robinson to act as a catch-all playmaker at the second level.
Perhaps most importantly, Spikes and his 6'2", 255-pound frame and punishing playing style fit perfectly with the tougher, more physical roster McCloughan is building.
But if he wants Spikes to be part of that vision, he'll have to move fast. The 27-year-old is reportedly visiting with old club the New England Patriots, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.
A deal seems likely, even though Spikes' first stint in New England didn't end well, as Sporting News writer Jordan Heck details. Perhaps Washington could step in and convince Spikes to keep the Pats in his past.
A Dependable Receiver out of the Backfield
3 of 5
If the offense is still lacking something following this year's draft, it's a dependable receiver out of the backfield. The selection of battering ram Matt Jones in Round 3 hardly answered that need.
ESPN.com's John Keim noted how Jones caught a mere 19 passes during three years at Florida. While Keim stressed Jones' potential as a pass-catcher, those numbers hardly recommend him to fill a niche role in the sub-package offense.
Of course, the Redskins still have Chris Thompson in town. The diminutive speedster has decent hands and the ability to turn short passes into big gains.
Those qualities have earned Thompson a "crack" at winning the right to work on third downs, according to Mike Jones of The Washington Post. But the inability to stay healthy is naturally always a concern regarding a player who's made just six appearances in two seasons.
That's likely why Washington added ex-Texas A&M pocket-edition dynamo Trey Williams as an undrafted free agent, per the Aggies Twitter account. This 5'7", 195-pound mini-marvel was once considered a potential late-round sleeper for the draft, according to Sport Illustrated's Ben Glicksman, who commended the player's versatility: "Over the next few weeks at private workouts he’ll have to show he can play a little bit of everything: wideout, slot receiver, return man, running back."
But while both are explosive, neither Williams nor 5'8", 193-pound Thompson fits the bulkier, hard-nosed backfield McCloughan is creating. One veteran who might, though, is 30-year-old Pierre Thomas.
The 5'11", 215-pounder is still a tough grinder between the tackles. He's also one of the best backfield receivers in football and an expert at diagnosing pressure and blocking blitzing defenders.
Prior to the draft, Keim indicated Washington had "expressed interest" in Thomas. Unless the Jones pick has ruled out additional backfield reinforcements altogether, the Redskins should step up their interest.
Thomas would be a major asset to Washington's struggling quarterbacks, who need a dependable outlet from pressure. He'd also add some crucial variety to the third-down offense.
Another name worth considering is Joe McKnight. He has the speed, excellent receiving skills and talent returning kicks that Washington currently misses.
The fact the team brought Williams in alongside Thompson shows a willingness to continue exploring options for a flexible and explosive change-of-pace option. McKnight, who missed 13 games a year ago after rupturing his Achilles, has those niche skills.
Finding a speedster who can do a variety of things to complement Morris and Jones' bruising brand of lugging the rock would complete a more flexible backfield rotation, one that would make the running game the focal point of the offense again.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Would a Fourth Tight End Make Sense?
4 of 5
Tight end is one of the more loaded positions on the roster, at least on the surface. But scratch a little deeper and you might find one or two reasons why another option for the depth chart would be welcome.
Ostensibly, the Redskins can count on three players with a decent complement of skills.
Jordan Reed is the most talented member of the trio. His speed, route running, excellent hands and leaping ability make him a matchup nightmare from almost anywhere on the field. The problem Reed has is staying healthy enough to reach his full potential.
He certainly hasn't managed that during his first two seasons as a pro, missing 12 games and making just six starts. It took just one catch in the opening game of 2014 for Reed to be ruled out again.
Reed's struggle with durability is likely a major reason why Washington retained Niles Paul during free agency. The converted wide receiver enjoyed a fine season in 2014, catching 39 passes for 507 yards, both career-best marks.
But Paul managed just a single touchdown. He's also far from competent as a blocker.
That's supposed to be what 6'5", 261-pounder Logan Paulsen brings to the table. But despite his apparently ample size, the 28-year-old rarely thrives in this area.
It may be time to say goodbye to Paulsen and find more versatile and productive insurance against both Reed's injuries and Paul being a one-year wonder.
Fortunately, the answer could be close to home for Gruden. He coached Jermaine Gresham during his time running the offense for the Cincinnati Bengals.
The 26-year-old remains on the market thanks to a back problem that required surgery. But if he gets a clean bill of health, Gresham is perfect for Washington.
He's a useful target in the red zone and has made great strides as a blocker. At 6'5" and 260 pounds, he has the size to be solid in this area.
Best of all, he understands all the nuances of Gruden's offense. A fit-again Gresham would be an invaluable rotational weapon for every phase of the offense.
Potential suitors will be waiting for the medical reports to confirm Gresham is ready to put the pads on again. So the Redskins have time to do their due diligence on a player who fits the age bracket of free agents McCloughan likes and who Gruden knows how to get the best from.
Increased Competition Could Provide Answers Faster Than New Recruits
5 of 5
There are a few needs remaining on the roster. But McCloughan may count on his draft class and free-agent recruits creating the kind of environment that solves those issues internally.
The work he's done adding players so far this offseason has created genuine competition at almost every key spot on the team. Perhaps those battles can answer these needs without having to add more new recruits.
For instance, if Murphy and Smith are competing for time at one outside linebacker spot, the threat posed by each other ought to spur both to produce their best. That way, even the loser of the competition should emerge as a better player, one who is able to cover both sides of the front seven.
It's a similar story at tight end. Reed now knows how important it is to stay healthy. If not, Paul has proved he has the move skills and production to take his job away permanently.
At the same time though, if Paul wants extra playing time, he'll know showing improvement as a blocker will only increase his chances of seeing the field more often.
Speaking of improvement, Riley will know he needs to make some fast. McCloughan may have waited until Round 5 to address inside linebacker, but Martrell Spaight is a first-year prospect to keep an eye on.
Whether the Redskins dip back into the market or not, they'll enter the new season with a deeper, more talented roster—one better-equipped to compete for a winning record.
All statistics and player information via NFL.com.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
