Predicting Washington Redskins' 2017 Starters After 1st Wave of Free Agency
Things are going to look a lot different for the Washington Redskins in 2017 after free-agency additions and subtractions shook up both sides of the ball.
The biggest differences will be found when casting an eye over the defensive starters. There will be at least four new faces on a unit helmed by Greg Manusky, who will succeed Joe Barry as coordinator this season.
The newbies will be along the defensive line, at outside linebacker and at one safety spot. But don't be surprised if there's a new inside 'backer and one other fresh trench warrior before the bell sounds for the start of the 2017 season.
Yet it isn't just defense where the changes will be ringing for the Burgundy and Gold. The offense will have at least one new wide receiver after 1,000-yard pass-catchers Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson both found new homes during free agency.
If team president Bruce Allen is smart, he'll also ensure Washington has a new starting running back this season.
Allen has no excuse not to upgrade the Redskins' options on the ground, especially when there are still quality backs left on the veteran market, as well as a host of precocious prospects at the position in the 2017 NFL draft.
Here are the Washington starters after the first wave of free agency.
Quarterback
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Kirk Cousins
It's still Kirk Cousins' show even though the Redskins can't seem to decide exactly how much they value their starting quarterback.
The 28-year-old will play under the franchise tag for the second season in a row in 2017, but he is still the best passer on the roster.
Cousins has developed rapidly since breaking into the team at the expense of an error-prone Robert Griffin III in 2013. He was a turnover machine for most of his first three seasons, but Cousins took the full-time job and ran with it in 2015.
Pro Bowls and franchise records have followed as No. 8 has passed the Redskins to back-to-back winning seasons. To put the achievement into context, this franchise hadn't managed the feat since the 1991 and 1992 campaigns.
Cousins has achieved because he fits head coach Jay Gruden's offense like a glove. He's a pocket-based QB with an innate knack for spreading his passes around and getting rid of the ball quickly.
However, for all his progress, 2017 figures to be Cousins' toughest year yet. For one thing, he's going to be working with a supporting cast minus Garcon and Jackson.
Every quarterback in the NFL would look good taking advantage of Jackson's talent as arguably the premier deep threat in the game. Similarly, Garcon has made his career from making the job easier for the men throwing him the ball, thanks to his mix of possession skills and dynamism after the catch.
Now Cousins will have to prove he is the true catalyst of Washington's offense, rather than just a product of the rich bounty of weapons he's been surrounded with. The pressure of having to produce in another contract year spent in the shop window will only add to Cousins' burden.
Running Back
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Free Agent or Draft Pick
It was mind-boggling when then-general manager Scot McCloughan passed up the chance to upgrade the defensive line last offseason. It would be a dereliction of duty if Allen ignored the running game this year.
Going into the new season with fumble-happy Matt Jones competing with try-hard Robert Kelley to lug the rock isn't going to give the Redskins the balance they need offensively. Nor will it improve the ranking for a ground game rated 21st in football in 2016, per the league's official website.
What would improve that lowly number is Washington adding one of the prime free-agent runners still available. The marquee names are Adrian Peterson and Jamaal Charles, two players who have posted 1,000-yard seasons for fun throughout their careers.
Charles is the better fit for Gruden's system, thanks to his big-play threat on outside cutback and zone runs, along with his chops as a receiver out of the backfield.
Yet, if the Redskins aren't prepared to pay what it takes for Charles—a 30-year-old with a lengthy recent injury history—they could raid the draft for a natural workhorse. It's something several writers of mock drafts believe Washington will do next month.
ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. (h/t Adam Schefter of ESPN) thinks Christian McCaffrey is headed to Washington as the 17th overall pick. The Stanford man's tough inside running and talent as a pass-catcher would make him a three-down back in this offense.
NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks thinks the Redskins will draft a runner, but he believes Florida State's Dalvin Cook will be their back of choice.
Finding a blue-chip talent for the backfield is more important for this team than adding another safety or even acquiring a new inside linebacker. It would turn an offense that's already the strength of the team into one of the NFL's best, a unit prolific enough to drag this franchise back into the postseason.
Wide Receiver
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Terrelle Pryor Sr., Jamison Crowder, Josh Doctson
It's virtually all change at wideout now that Jackson and Garcon are enjoying pastures new. Fortunately, the Redskins moved smartly to tie down Terrelle Pryor Sr. on a makes-sense one-year deal.
Pryor will be an immediate starter after posting over 1,000 yards in his first season as a receiver for the Cleveland Browns in 2016. The converted quarterback has the burners to take the top off any defense and is flexible enough to escape coverage at every level of the field.
Frankly, Pryor shouldn't have to win underneath often because that's already the purview of Jamison Crowder. A rare draft success from the McCloughan era, he has taken only two seasons to establish a niche as a playmaker from the slot.
Crowder proved his worth with 67 grabs for 847 yards and seven touchdowns last season. The former Duke ace should enjoy an expanded role in 2017.
Any kind of role would be welcome for Josh Doctson after McCloughan's second and last first-round pick for the Redskins featured in only two games as a rookie.
Injuries denied him the chance to quickly make the grade and act as the smart future planning McCloughan intended against Jackson and Garcon bolting.
However, while Doctson didn't show as a rookie, he is still essentially a blank slate with enticing raw skills. Those skills include vertical speed and good hands.
Allen has even endorsed the decision to take Doctson in Round 1 and is confident big things will come from the former TCU product, per Liz Clarke of the Washington Post.
Just in case, though, Allen has also added ex-Rams flanker Brian Quick, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. As Jake Kring-Schreifels of the Redskins' official website noted, 6'4" Quick will join 6'4" Pryor and 6'2" Doctson to give Washington's pass attack a host of towering targets.
Quick and possession-style receiver Ryan Grant will provide solid depth, but things will look a lot better if Doctson quickly becomes what McCloughan thought he was last year.
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Tight End
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Jordan Reed
If quarterback is still Cousins' show, then Jordan Reed still has a lock on the starting tight end spot. Reed is Cousins' go-to target when the going gets tough for a reason.
The reason is Reed has steadily become perhaps the most dynamic player at his position outside of New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski. He's not cut from the same physical mold as the Gronk, but he milks his own particular attributes for all they are worth.
Those attributes include sneaky play speed that sees Reed routinely leave would-be tacklers trailing once he gets the ball in his hands. Yet the true key to the success of this wide receiver in a tight end's body is his skill as a route-runner.
Reed is subtle, fluid, sudden out of his breaks and wastes no time getting open. It's why he's always available in situations when every member of a defense knows Cousins is going to look his way.
Avoiding injury is still a concern, with Reed missing four games in 2016 and recording 66 receptions, down by 21 from 2015's tally. Fortunately, the Redskins have Vernon Davis to share the load and bringing the 33-year-old back is one of the best moves Washington's front office has made this offseason.
Davis' presence means the Redskins will continue to show plenty of two-tight end sets, but Reed's game-breaking talent will ensure he stays the primary option.
Offensive Line
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Trent Williams, Shawn Lauvao, Spencer Long, Brandon Scherff, Morgan Moses
Bar a major question mark at center, Washington will field one of the more capable offensive lines in football in 2017. There is size, athleticism and smarts at almost all of the core positions.
Things are strongest on the edges where Trent Williams is regularly in the conversation about who is the best left tackle in the NFL. Man-mountain Morgan Moses is not as talented, but he is quietly becoming a force on the right.
Speaking of the right side, Brandon Scherff has already become a Pro Bowler at guard. He has more than vindicated McCloughan's wise decision to select him with the fifth pick in the 2015 NFL draft.
Left guard Shawn Lauvao has his critics, but he can be a powerful drive blocker when healthy and motivated.
If only things were settled in the middle, though. Instead, Kory Lichtensteiger has hung up his cleats, while John Sullivan remains on the free-agent market.
It means converted guard Spencer Long is the most likely candidate to start over the ball this season. Long has played center before, but he could be a liability in an NFC East division featuring fearsome defensive tackles such as Damon Harrison of the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles star Fletcher Cox.
Defensive Line
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Stacy McGee, Terrell McClain, Rookie or Free Agent
A powder-puff line has been the bane of the Washington defense in recent seasons, but things figure to change in 2017 after the Redskins finally retooled the front during free agency.
The retooling has yielded two new starters. Stacy McGee is far from spectacular, but he's tough-as-nails against the run and difficult to move on the edge. He could prove to be one of the steals of this year's market.
However, fellow new arrival Terrell McClain will push McGee for that distinction. He is vastly underrated as a menacing nose tackle.
The former Dallas Cowboys starter has quick hands and a powerful base, along with impressive move skills. McClain will immediately become the anchor the Redskins have missed for too long at the heart of their 3-4 base D'.
The big question is who will start at the other end spot? Incumbent Ziggy Hood is a worthy candidate after enjoying some strong games at both end and 0-technique in 2016. Bringing him back was another smart move for the Redskins in free agency.
However, Hood is more of a rotational piece than a dominant starter. The Redskins can still acquire one of those thanks to the gifted interior linemen still available in both the draft and free agency.
Former New York Giants linchpin Johnathan Hankins has been left surprisingly untouched on the veteran market, but he could be a star as a 5-technique in Washington.
Alternatively, the Redskins could turn to the draft and target prospects such as Jonathan Allen and Malik McDowell. Allen could be in play due to concerns about his shoulders, according to Bleacher Report's Matt Miller.
Outside Linebacker
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Junior Galette, Ryan Kerrigan
It's been two years since McCloughan took a chance on Junior Galette, but fans are still waiting for him to play a competitive down for the Redskins.
Achilles injuries have kept Galette on the shelf since 2015, so this is surely his last chance to prove he was worth the gamble. Frankly, the Redskins need him to show his worth in 2017. If he can't, this position will begin to look shaky.
It will be shaky because Trent Murphy is set to start the season serving a four-game suspension. Meanwhile, Preston Smith has to find some consistency after suffering an alarming dip in production last season when he registered a mere 4.5 sacks compared with the eight he logged as a rookie.
The doubts lingering over both Murphy and Smith will see Galette get his chance. It also means the onus will be on the 29-year-old to quickly recapture the form he showed before his injuries when he recorded 22 sacks during a two-season span with the New Orleans Saints.
If Galette is up to speed, it will be great news for Ryan Kerrigan, who for a rare time in his Redskins career won't be the primary focus of opposing offensive lines. Even with the heavy attention normally paid to him, he still managed to lead Washington with 11 sacks in 2016.
He will be even more disruptive if he finally gets a little help from his friends.
Inside Linebacker
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Mason Foster, Rookie or Free Agent
The Redskins got one part right by beefing up their D-line this offseason. But the front seven won't truly be fixed without a standout inside linebacker being added behind the new men up front.
Thankfully, like most of the positions of need still left on this roster, the Redskins have options in both the rookie class and on the veteran market.
Perhaps the best draft choice would be Alabama's Reuben Foster, a versatile and destructive bruiser who would bring an attacking mentality to a defense pushed around too often the last two years.
In fact, Rob Rang of CBS Sports has backed Foster to move to Redskins Park next month and fortify a perennially generous run defense:
"The Redskins surrendered nearly 120 yards per game on the ground in 2016 and only three teams (the Chargers, Bills and 49ers) allowed more than their 19 rushing touchdowns. Foster was kicked out of the combine after a run-in with medical personnel, but his talent is undeniable. With remarkable closing speed and the physicality to intimidate, he could prove a steal at this point in the draft.
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Foster is an obvious fit, but if Washington's brass struggle to look past his apparent character concerns, they'll still find a batch of quality middle linebackers in this draft. Prospects such as Vanderbilt's Zach Cunningham, Florida's Jarrad Davis and LSU's Kendell Beckwith ensure this position is as rich in talent as it's been for many a draft.
Of course, there are still some savvy free agents out there who might represent a surer thing. Daryl Smith may be 35, but he is also one of the smartest linebackers in football with 13 seasons worth of experience thriving in both 4-3 and 3-4 schemes.
There's also DeAndre Levy, as versatile as any player at his position. If the 30-year-old—recently booted by the Detroit Lions—could prove his health, he would be a dream fit in Washington.
Ideally, the Redskins would go bold and add two new inside 'backers by drafting a first-round talent and signing a capable veteran. Yet if they choose to stick with at least one of 2016's starters, then it should be Mason Foster. He's a better and more disruptive athlete than Will Compton.
Safety
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Su'a Cravens, D.J. Swearinger
The way things stand, the Redskins are likely to open the season with two bulky hitters at the safety spots. Expect to see Su'a Cravens and D.J. Swearinger form a punishing partnership, even if Washington may be better served drafting a true centerfielder to play free safety.
Budda Baker fits the bill as the type of rangy rookie who could handle covering the deep field for the Redskins. However, the franchise seems more likely to still find out what they have in 2016 second-round pick Su'a Cravens.
He was a true hybrid when McCloughan selected him last year, but Cravens is now ready to make safety his full-time position, per ESPN's John Keim. He quoted the player talking up his ability to play strong safety:
"I've played it my whole life. I'm used to covering tight ends. I think I can cover backs and I feel I can be good in the box. It makes sense to put me at strong safety because that's who rotates down. I like being able to roam free and make plays in space.
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If Cravens slotted in at strong safety, Swearinger would be left to play free. The 25-year-old is more of a hitter in the box, but he has played the position before.
Of course, there's always DeAngelo Hall to pair with either one of Cravens or Swearinger. Yet he's now 33 and has been blighted by injuries for three years, failing to register even a single interception since 2013.
Cravens switching positions and a journeyman like Swearinger coming on board hardly seem like enough to finally make this position a strength. However, it looks like that's where the Redskins are at with the safety spots headed into the new season.
Cornerback
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Bashaud Breeland, Josh Norman
Cornerback is one of the more settled positions on the roster thanks to a pair of competent and productive starters. Bashaud Breeland and Josh Norman combined for six interceptions and four forced fumbles in 2016.
Norman offers the star power thanks to his ability to shut down an opponents' best receiver. It's something No. 24 can do when he's focused more on letting his talent speak rather than his trash talk.
As for Breeland, he's made terrific strides since being drafted by Allen in the fourth round in 2014. He can be beaten on the outside, but the former Clemson man has a natural opportunistic streak and can be counted on for big plays of his own.
Depth is also intriguing thanks to ex-rookie free agent Quinton Dunbar and second-year man Kendall Fuller. Add versatile Will Blackmon to the mix, and the Redskins are as well-stocked at cornerback as any team in the NFC.
Special Teams
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Dustin Hopkins (K), Tress Way (P)
For the longest time it felt as though the kicking game was always going to be an issue in Washington. Fortunately, the kicking chores are worked well by both Dustin Hopkins and Tress Way.
Hopkins has become a dependable source of points since he arrived as a kickoff specialist in 2015. However, he does have some room for improvement after missing eight field goals last season, including a potential game-winner against the Cincinnati Bengals at Wembley Stadium.
Generally, though, Hopkins has been an upgrade on Kai Forbath.
The story is a similar one at punter where Tress Way has made the position his own. However, like Hopkins, he could stand to make some improvement on the 15 punts he pinned inside the 20 last season, per the league's official website.
The Redskins can consider themselves pretty well settled at the key positions after using free agency to their advantage. Of the primary holes that still need to be filled, the draft and the veteran market both feature excellent running backs and inside linebackers who are within Washington's range.
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