Redskins Free Agent Options On Offense: Part 2

TE:

Need Level: Moderate

-The Redskins drafted Jordan Reed in the 3rd round last year and he has the potential to be a top pass catching TE in this league. He was injured for most of the 2nd half of the season so some insurance is needed. Also, number 2 TE Logan Paulsen regressed last year and his price tag is far exceeding what most teams would pay for a TE of his skill set. The Redskins only have special team stand out Niles Paul behind their top two TE’s. If Reed is healthy the Redskins can get by (though overpay for Paulsen), if Reed gets banged up the Redskins TE production would be well below average.

1. Garrett Graham

-May get overlooked in the market, particularly with a deep draft class. Can be a solid starting or a really good number 2 TE. Not much of a blocker, but could end up being a cheap quality back-up to Reed and a weapon in 2 TE sets.

2. Brandon Myers

-Myers is similar to Graham as he’s not a top tier TE and not much of a blocker, but he can be pretty productive if given the opportunity. Last year he signed a cheap one year deal and may be looking at a similar market this year as well.

3. Scott Chandler

-Chandler is a guy who could see his market dry up quickly. He’s not a big play TE who is going to stretch the field or pick up big yards after the catch, and TE’s without that skill set don’t typically fare well on the open market. Despite that Chandler is still a pretty productive TE, who wins with good route running and impressive size. He can be a big red zone weapon (14 TD’s over the past 3 years) and is a good inline blocking TE. He would be the perfect complement to Jordan Reed, and if the Redskins are concerned with Reed’s health or plan on a lot of 2 TE sets, he should be a top target.

4. Andrew Quarless

-Quarless has been buried on the GB depth chart given all their productive receivers and top TE JerMichael Finley. With Finley’s injury this year he had a bigger chance and he showed well for the Packers. He’s known as a pretty capable blocker as well, and he could be a nice pick-up for the Redskins. Does figure to have a interest from the Packers and Giants who’s new OC worked in GB these last couple of years.

5. Dustin Keller

-Coming off an ACL injury, Keller could be a cheap 1 year option for the Redskins. When he was healthy he was a top 10 receiving TE (limited blocking). The Skins could look to him if they are hoping to throw to both TE’s a lot. His health is a concern, he could end up being a steal, or a guy who just isn’t fully recovered. If you sign him you probably don’t want to get rid of Paulsen just yet.

6. Ed Dickson

7. Dallas Clark

8. Ben Hartsock

-Pure blocking TE, not really a threat as a pass catcher. Should come at a league minimum deal and offers better blocking than Paulsen at a cheaper rate.

-If the Redskins were looking for a top starting TE the market wouldn’t be too favorable, but for a 2nd TE and insurance policy there are some options out there. Most of them should come fairly cheaply and at a price similar (or perhaps cheaper) than Paulsen. The market could get bolstered even further if veterans Zach Miller and Brent Celek end up getting cut, giving even more options for the Redskins. Paulsen is a hard worker, but his production has been highly streaky both as a receiver and blocker (most importantly) throughout his career. With Reed’s status uncertain and his price tag far too high, cutting Paulsen and signing an upgrade makes sense.

Center:

Need level: Moderately High

–Will Montgomery regressed quite a bit this past season and he was one of the weaker points on the Redskins line. The three seasons prior his play was better, but the Skins can’t justify his contract and they should look to upgrade at center to help our RGIII‘s development.

1. Alex Mack

-One of the few guys it would be worth opening up the Redskins check book for. Mack is one of the top centers in the game and would be a massive boost to the Redskins offensive line. Even if the Redskins are willing to make him the highest paid center in the league, the Browns have the right to match the offer making it tough to believe he would end up in Washington.

2. Evan Dietrich-Smith

-Has been the Packers starter for the past year and a half and has played at a high level. Aaron Rodgers is quoted as saying that he really wants him back, which is about as good of an endorsement as you could hope for. The Packers have a lot of money so it will be tough to pry him away.

3. Brian De La Puerte

-Good 3 year starter for the Saints, and he’s still fairly young. New Orleans is tighter on cap room so he may be more of an option for the Redskins.

4. Joe Hawley

-Young center who started for the Falcons down the stretch last season and played at a pretty good level. Has limited starting and playing experience overall, but is young, cheap and has some upside.

5. Phil Costa

6. Ryan Wendell

7. J.D. Walton

-Has missed the past two years with an ankle injury and it’s unclear where he’s at post injury. Before the injury he was seen as a solid, but streaky young center. He shouldn’t be considered for anything more than a prove it type of deal and the Redskins would need a fallback plan if he doesn’t work.

8. Samson Satele

Overall:

-It’s not a great center market after the top 4 guys (1 of whom is highly unlikely), but the Redskins should look to the free agent market to fix their center needs. There are no sure things in the draft and with a young QB who has some issues recognizing blitzes, pairing him with a rookie center probably isn’t too smart of an idea.

Guard:

Need level: Extremely High, need at least two guards this offseason

–Chris Chester regressed considerably this past year and releasing him would clear $2.7 million in cap space this year and a sizable chunk next year as well. Kory Lichtensteiger doesn’t clear as much cap room, but he’s far too undersized, and getting him off the books now helps the cap over the next 3 seasons as well. Backing them up are a mix of Maurice Hurt who missed all of last season, Josh LeRibeus, who was inactive all of last season, and Adam Gettis  who hasn’t  had any playing time in two years. It’s unclear if any of them can be counted on starting, much less being a capable back-up.

1. Zane Beadles

-Probably the top guard on the market, likely will get priced out of the Redskins range, but worth taking a look at in case his price falls at all.

2. Geoff Schwartz

-Finally got a chance to start this past year consistently for the first time since 2010 and he played at a high level. Has extra value as a back-up tackle, but is really a far better guard and what he has primarily played since early 2010.

3. Roger Saffold

-He’s a tackle/guard, who has played most of his time at tackle, but says he doesn’t want to play RT making him not an option there for the Redskins. Could be viewed as a cheaper starting LT option for some teams if they miss out on the top guys so he might not sign early on. Even as a guard he will likely have high demands and he does carry an injury risk as he’s missed 17 games over the past 3 seasons.

4. Jon Asamoah

-Solid starting guard, was benched last season for Schwartz, but should still be considered a quality starting option. He’s still very young and well worth investing in.

5. Chad Rinehart

-Has really turned his career around after Mike Shanahn dumped him off the Redskins roster. He’s been a solid starter and if he’s willing to come back the Redskins should consider him an option.

6. Willie Colon

7. Dayrn Colledge

8. Charlie Johnson

-interesting guard option, also has a history playing tackle giving him some nice versatility.

9. Shawn Lauvao

10. Garrett Reynolds

Overall:

-The Redskins can’t completely fix their guard needs in free agency, but they could consider one of the top 4-5 guys as an automatic starter and then sign a later guy on the cheap as a back-up option/contender for the other guard spot.

Offensive Tackle:

Need Level: Extremely High

–Trent Williams is established as a top 5 LT in the game over these past two  seasons, but opposite him the Redskins have been scrapping the bottom of the barrel for quite some time. Tyler Polumbus played every snap for the Redskins last season, but that is hardly an accomplishment worth noting. His play was well below average and he carries a cap hit of $2.5 million that the Redskins can easily remove. Behind Polumbus is 3rd year swing tackle Tom Compton, who has yet to show much in the preseason.

1. Anthony Collins

-Easily the top choice among RT options for the Redskins. Not only has he been pretty productive as a swing tackle throughout his career, but he’s played under Gruden for the past three seasons. He was entrusted to start the final 5 games of the season and the playoff game at LT for the Bengals, which allowed them to shift their natural LT to guard as an injury replacement. He didn’t give up a sack last year in over 670 total snaps. He might get an interest from some teams as a fall back LT option, but will probably be seen more of as a RT starter. The Skins should open up their checkbook to lock him down and give Griffin the protection he deserves.

2. Micheal Oher

-Has better name recognition than production. He flashes the talent and potential to be great, but he never seems to put it all together. Still he would be an upgrade over Tyler Polumbus and could be a solid long term starter.

3. Zach Strief

-Has been a pretty productive starting RT over the past 3 years for the Saints. He is going to be 31 this year so he’s not a long term fix, but he’s clearly a big upgrade and can help give Griffin the time he needs to reach his potential.

4. Eric Winston

-Winston has bounced around from team-to-team these past couple of years but he remains a quality starting RT. He’s not a long term option, but could be a solid pick-up for 2-3 years.

5. Breno Giacomini

6. Ryan Harris

7. Austin Howard

8. Tyson Clabo

9. Charles Brown

10. Jason Fox

Overall:

-This is a big need area for the Redskins, they simply can’t let RGIII get beaten up like they did a year ago. While fixes are needed across the line having a capable bookend tackle to Trent Williams will help Griffin’s production tremendously. Ideally Anthony Collins is the way to go, given his age, production and knowledge of Gruden. If he is gone the Redskins really need to land one of the next 3 guys if they want to fix the position for this next year. Some of the lower options could end up being a solid starter, but they are far more uncertain than the top 4 choices.