Best Remaining Free Agents Washington Redskins Should Bring in for Training Camp

Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan didn't leave many stones unturned during NFL free agency. But after proving himself a shrewd shopper during the market's peak, McCloughan can channel his inner bargain hunter to find a gem or two in the basement bin.

There are players left on the market who would fill remaining needs for the Burgundy and Gold ahead of the start of training camp. Those needs include slot receiver, pass-catching running back, edge-rusher and middle linebacker.

But aside from direct needs, there's also plenty of veteran leadership still available for a franchise woefully short of that vital quality in recent seasons. It may be fashionable to build a young roster in an era where experience has almost become a dirty word in gridiron circles.

Still, one or two savvy old pros could make a major difference for a Redskins team that's been rooted to the bottom of the NFC East in five of the last six seasons.

Find out who are the seven best remaining free agents Washington should bring in for the start of camp on July 30.

Mathias Kiwanuka, DE/OLB

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When you post a mere 36 sacks in a season, you know your pass rush stinks. Despite that knowledge, decision-makers at Redskins Park seem content to cover their noses rather than add talented pressure specialists.

After letting Brian Orakpo—a Pro Bowl pass-rusher in 2013 who notched eight or more sacks four times for Washington—walk in free agency, the Redskins have stood pat. They've been content to let second-year man Trent Murphy battle it out with 2015 draft pick Preston Smith.

The problem with that is that Murphy managed a mere 2.5 sacks in 15 appearances as a rookie last season. He has breakout potential, but more due to his all-around game, rather than any elite rush skills.

As for Smith, he isn't even seen as an edge player by some, including B/R analyst Michael Felder. Whatever his position, Smith registered nine sacks in 2014, per CFBStats.com, but just 2.5 the year before.

He played mostly as a down lineman at Mississippi State, and the Redskins are taking a not-so-small gamble he can successfully transition to standing up on the edge. It would be wise to consider adding a more natural and experienced outside rusher to the rotation.

Step forward, Mathias Kiwanuka. The 32-year-old former New York Giants utility man is a classic hybrid pass-rusher.

Kiwanuka is a tweener who can put his hand down or rush from a standing position. During a nine-year stint with Washington's NFC East rivals, Kiwanuka played all over for Big Blue.

That included time at defensive end, tackle and outside linebacker. A nagging run of injuries slowed the player who also lifted two Super Bowl titles with the Giants.

Knee surgery is the latest concern with Kiwanuka and one of the reasons for his release back in February. While he's never been prolific getting to the quarterback—his career high for sacks in a season is eight—Kiwanuka has earned plaudits for his attitude, commitment and versatility.

Giants boss Tom Coughlin highlighted those qualities shortly after Kiwanuka's release, per ESPN.com's Dan Graziano:

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I always felt like you could count on certain things from him: eight [or] nine sacks, harass the quarterback, and you could move him around, inside, outside. He is dependable, reliable and there is no question about his professionalism. His character and professionalism and serious approach to the game will be missed.

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Graziano also noted how Kiwanuka was well regarded for the way he "devoted a great deal of his time on the practice field and in the locker room to helping the team's younger players."

With Smith a rookie, Murphy in his second year and star man Ryan Kerrigan still only 26, Kiwanuka's influence could prove crucial to the development of Washington's fledgling edge-rushers.

So would his experience going up against some of the best blockers in the division. Kiwanuka has matched his wits and strength against Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith and Jason Peters of the Philadelphia Eagles. He knows the best blockers in the East and the weakest ones worth targeting.

As a situational player, he would also be a good bet to contribute from a variety of positions in new coordinator Joe Barry's sub-package defenses.

With a medical all-clear, Kiwanuka is a player definitely worth bringing to camp.

Pierre Thomas, RB

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Since letting Roy Helu Jr. walk in free agency, the Redskins have been looking for a capable pass-catching running back. But none of the current possible candidates offer the skill, savvy and versatility of veteran Pierre Thomas.

The 30-year-old has established a niche as one of the most prolific backfield receivers in the NFL during recent seasons. Marc Sessler of the league's official site referenced statistics from Pro Football Focus revealing how adept Thomas is as a receiver:

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Only six backs had more catches last season than Thomas, who hauled in 45 balls after a 77-reception campaign in 2013. Per Pro Football Focus, only two runners -- Le'Veon Bell and Eddie Lacy -- graded higher last season catching the ball. One of the finest screen-pass targets of his time, the former Saint would fit on a team looking for help on passing downs.

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As much as he's useful as a target in the passing game, Thomas is also an excellent blocker. He's a master at blitz pickup. That skill would be a major boost to a team that surrendered 58 sacks in 2014.

Thomas is more accomplished and certainly more experienced than any of the potential backfield receivers on the roster. Rookie Matt Jones has shown some useful flexibility this offseason, impressing head coach Jay Gruden as a blocker and receiver, per the team's official Twitter account.

Meanwhile, undrafted free agent Trey Williams, a naturally explosive player, isn't really suited to the demands of pass offense, according to CBS Sports' Dane Brugler: "Small hands and wasn't asked to run many routes or be a large part of the passing game—unreliable in pass protection with limited upside in this area."

Finally, Chris Thompson hasn't been able to stay on the field. He's missed 26 games during his first two years in the pros.

Even players like tight end Jordan Reed and fullback Darrel Young, very capable out of the backfield, have question marks. Reed is another player who can't stay healthy, while Young is underused.

Just imagine what difference a reliable and smart screen receiver could make for quarterback Robert Griffin III. Thomas would provide an easy read for Griffin, something that would help him get rid of the ball more quickly.

With Thomas around, Griffin wouldn't zero in on the big play and ignore the rest of the field in the way that often leads to disaster in and out of the pocket.

Kevin Burnett, ILB

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Out of football in 2014, Kevin Burnett still has a lot to offer to a team playing a 3-4 defense and needing help at the heart of its linebacker corps. Washington certainly fits that bill considering Keenan Robinson is the only capable starter at the position.

Perry Riley Jr. was downright abysmal last season. To make matters worse, depth is wafer-thin. Will Compton is willing but very raw. Adam Hayward is limited to special teams and fifth-round pick Martrell Spaight is naturally unproven.

By contrast, Burnett offers a wealth of 3-4 experience. He operated in the scheme for the Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins.

Burnett's not the toughest against the run, but he's very smart and effective in coverage. He's also useful on the blitz, offering the versatility to play inside and rush from the edge.

Not doing more to address inside linebacker was one of the rare missteps from McCloughan this offseason. But given the shaky depth behind Robinson and Riley, as well as the latter's dip in form, bringing Burnett to camp would be a smart way to remedy that.

Red Bryant, DE

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Signing another defensive lineman may seem like a luxury move during the same offseason in which three veterans were added to the depth chart. Ricky Jean Francois, Stephen Paea and Terrance Knighton were all brought on board.

But Knighton aside, the others are suspect against the run. Francois in particular has been part of an Indianapolis Colts defense that's been pushed around on the ground by the New England Patriots the last two years.

Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys trampled all over Paea and the Chicago Bears' 17th-ranked run defense in Week 14 last season. At the edges, this is now a line more defined by an ability to create pressure rather than stand up to the run. Holdovers Jason Hatcher and Frank Kearse are more pass-rushers than run defenders.

So it might be a good idea to kick the tires of Red Bryant, one of the most formidable 5-technique ends in the NFL. The 31-year-old 6'3", 323-pounder is a double-team magnet who keeps blockers off linebackers and forces runners into pursuit.

Writing for the league's official site, Marc Sessler used Pro Football Focus to detail Bryant's expertise against the run:

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A respected veteran leader, Bryant remains a reliable run-stopper who started all but one game over the past four seasons in stints with Seattle and Jacksonville. Only Michael Bennett and Derek Wolfe graded higher against the run in 2014, per Pro Football Focus, so Bryant is a candidate to find work if he still wants to play.

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Bryant's problem is that he's strictly a two-down player, if that. Like a specialist pass-rusher, he's only a fit in situations that demand his particular skills.

Those situations may crop up more than once this season considering there's a host of good running backs on Washington's schedule for 2015. The likes of DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews, Mark Ingram, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Matt Forte and LeSean McCoy are all waiting to run riot against the Redskins defense.

Putting Bryant and Knighton on the field together on run downs would pretty much nullify every ground attack on the schedule. It would also give Barry more opportunities to put pass-rushing sets on the field against offenses forced to be one-dimensional.

Bryant's very specific yet limited skill set means a team can justify a short-term, cap-friendly deal.

Wes Welker, WR

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No doubt the most controversial entry on this list, Wes Welker could be very useful to a team with more question marks than it cares to admit at wide receiver. Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson are marquee talents, but the rest of the depth chart is either struggling or unproven.

Ryan Grant needs playing time, while rookie Jamison Crowder has already been embroiled in off-field troubles even before he's played a down in the pros. Even veteran holdover Andre Roberts can't be relied upon.

The former Arizona Cardinals third receiver let too many passes go astray in 2014, according to CSN Washington's Rich Tandler:

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It needs to be noted, however, that all of the receivers who dropped more passes than Roberts did were targeted a minimum of 98 times. Roberts had only 73 targets. Doing the math, he dropped the ball on 11.0 percent of the times he was targeted. A total of 122 players were targeted 55 or more times last year. Only Roberts had a double-digit drop percentage.

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Granted, Roberts wasn't exactly helped by the carousel of dubious quarterbacks during his first season in D.C. But his struggles hardly engender confidence in a passing game desperately lacking a dependable possession receiver.

Few have ever been as reliable catching underneath passes as Welker. The 34-year-old recorded more than 100 receptions in a season in five out of six years during his stint with the New England Patriots.

Welker's signature move, an option route from the slot, became virtually impossible to successfully defend. While his production dropped during two seasons with the Denver Broncos, he remains a crafty and prolific pass-catcher who can turn short-range grabs into bigger gains.

That's exactly the type of receiver a deeply flawed quarterback like Griffin needs to help drag his game out of the mire. Although the Redskins are well-stocked at receiver, the presence of a sure-handed veteran would translate to a major boost for both the third-down and red-zone offenses.

There's more than an element of risk and controversy attached to this particular potential move. Welker's suffered several concussions during the latter stages of his career.

In late-April, he reported he's been given a medical all-clear to play again, something he wants to do, per KUSA Denver's Mike Klis. If Welker's still as committed, it would make sense to explore a deal.

If you'd welcome back Santana Moss, you should warm to the idea of making room for Welker.

Dwight Freeney, DE/OLB

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When you have only one quality starter and two raw and unproven youngsters in reserve, you should take a long look at every available pass-rusher. So an experienced pressure specialist as skilled and savvy as Dwight Freeney could make an impact.

Now 35, Freeney has notched a mere nine sacks in the last three seasons. But he's still got a repertoire of rush moves players such as Murphy, Smith, Jackson Jeffcoat and Trevardo Williams would all learn from.

Although some of the numbers don't suggest it, Freeney is still capable of bringing the heat, according to Marc Sessler, writing for the league's official site:

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The Colts have shown no interest in re-signing their former star, but Freeney could still help a team looking for a spot pass-rusher. At 35, he's netted little attention on the open market, but his 40 quarterback hurries last season with the Chargers ranked third behind only Justin Houston and Ryan Kerrigan.

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Used selectively, Freeney can still torment the pass pocket from various angles and multiple positions. He can put his hand down in four-man front nickel and dime sets, or he can stand on the edge in hybrid 3-4 fronts and pressure-heavy sub-packages.

Washington even showed some interest back in mid-March, per ESPN 980's Chris Russell. It makes sense considering Freeney spent the last two seasons working with Barry for the San Diego Chargers.

Barry needs as many quality pass-rushers as he can get to make his scheme work in D.C. As a short-term, situational rush end, Freeney still has plenty to offer.

Jermaine Gresham, TE

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Jermaine Gresham is currently a popular figure on the league's scrapheap. He's recently visited the Arizona Cardinals but left without a deal, according to AZCentral Sports' Kent Somers.

He also sat down with the New Orleans Saints, per ESPN's Mike Triplett. Gresham is a health risk due to a longstanding back injury, but he's got skills the Redskins may find very useful.

Somers declared him a "better blocker than receiver." That's something Washington's offense needs at the tight end position.

Logan Paulsen is the only player close to a competent blocker on the depth chart. Even that competence can be questioned.

Niles Paul has bulked up to improve in this area, but blocking has never been his forte. It likely never will be for ultra-dynamic "move" playmaker Jordan Reed.

Speaking of Reed, his inability to stay healthy is one big reason why the Burgundy and Gold may show some late interest in Gresham. Rich Tandler of Real Redskins sees that as a possibility: "There has been no word that Gruden was even interested in kicking the tires on Gresham but that doesn’t mean they won’t, especially if Jordan Reed ends up sidelined with another injury during training camp."

Tandler also noted Gresham's familiarity with Gruden's offense as a factor: "The Bengals drafted him in the first round in 2010 and he made consecutive Pro Bowls when Jay Gruden came to Cincinnati as the offensive coordinator the following year."

Reed is currently still recovering from knee surgery, per Liz Clarke of the Washington Post. So putting Gresham back in a system he knows, one key players like the man under center are still getting to grips with, would be a smart move.

None of the players on this list are going to wow fans anymore. But they each possess niche skills that can still be very useful for Washington's rebuilding team on both sides of the ball.

Speaking of useful, it's impossible to overstate the value of genuine experience and core leadership for a franchise that's been locked in losing and controversy for too long.

All statistics and player information via NFL.com.