Between now and the start of the new league year in March, TGS is providing brief summaries looking ahead at the offseason from the perspective of each NFL team. In this edition, we look at the Washington Redskins.
2016 record: 8-7-1 — 3rd place, NFC East
What’s new? For the first time in almost a year, they’re trying to decide what to do with impending free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins. Yes, I wrote that with a smirk.
Projected salary cap space: $59 million — Only six teams have more money to spend.
Key in-house free agents: QB Kirk Cousins, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Pierre Garcon, DE Chris Baker, DT Kedric Golston, S Duke Ihenacho
Cousins will likely be hit with the franchise tag for a second straight year, but the aging Jackson, Garcon, Baker and Golston could all be moving on.
Key needs: Wide receiver, defensive line, safety
They also need to add some young talent at the safety position, where Ihenacho is slated to hit free agency and DeAngelo Hall, Donte Whitner and Will Blackmon are all on the wrong side of 30.
Draft breakdown: They pick 17th overall and they have extra picks in Rounds 4, 5 and 6.
Other potential priorities: The offensive line is good, but they could use an upgrade over left guard Shawn Lauvao, who is entering a contract year anyway. And Morgan Moses, Spencer Long and Bashaud Breeland are all entering the final year on their rookie deals.
Outlook: It’s promising. They’ll spend an arm and a leg on Cousins, but he’s a top-12 quarterback who can light it up. Can’t let him get away, and they’ll contend with just a few moves beyond that. Lots of money and a lot of good draft picks.
