Potential Free Agents the Redskins could target from the Super Bowl

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Here is a look at a few unrestricted free agents that will be playing in today’s game that could make sense in Washington. Overall a couple of these players seem likely to re-sign with their respective teams, but there is a chance they make it to the open market. Note: A couple of the top free agents for these teams are at positions that wouldn’t make sense for the Redskins so they aren’t included.

WR Emmanuel Sanders:

-The 32 year old Sanders still gets the job done as he had a respectable 860 yards and 5 TDs this season playing in a pair of low volume passing offenses with Denver and San Francisco. While he might not provide the spark he once did earlier in his career, he’s a solid veteran who can play both inside and out, and provide a quality route runner. The Redskins could opt to continue the young receiver parade for Dwayne Haskins, but it could make sense to have one established veteran for their young QB. A quality veteran could also help teach the young core and help their development. Sanders doesn’t figure to be too expensive this offseason given his age and now just above average production, but he’s probably more likely to go to a contending team.

S Jimmie Ward:

-Ward would be the perfect FS complement to Landon Collins for the Redskins defense. Ward is an extremely versatile safety who can cover the slot, play in the box or single high FS. He would fill a major hole and allow Collins to reach his full potential. The issue here is cost and will he even reach free agency. Arik Armstead and Ward are the two free agents the 49ers are going to want to retain, it won’t be easy but I do think they will look to move money around or cut players to try to keep both in the fold. If Ward does reach free agency the Redskins then have to decide how much money they want to pump into their safety position. Ward will take a pretty healthy contract to land, so while he’s a perfect fit, he’s probably more unlikely.

C Ben Garland:

-Garland has filled in down the stretch for the 49ers and the veteran center has handled himself well. While he’s probably not a full-time starter, that could work to the Redskins benefit as he should come fairly cheaply. For a solid veteran option Garland could make sense as the Redskins might need to re-work their interior line.

CB Kendall Fuller:

-The young piece the Redskins lost in the Alex Smith trade has continued to play well in Kansas City. He’s still primarily a slot corner, which makes him tougher to price on the open market, but if the Redskins move on from Josh Norman, they will have money to spend for the position. Fuller is still young and has now shown positive play for the last three seasons. Even if he doesn’t show he can be an every down corner, he play a valuable role on defense and one the Redskins are lacking. A reunion is definitely possible this offseason as long as his price doesn’t get too crazy.

C/G Stefen Wisniewski:

-Wisniewski is an odd player as he hasn’t been counted on as a full time starter since 2015, yet due to injury he has played a considerable amount every year (between 30-85%). He’s handled himself well in that fill in role, yet he never seems to have much of any free agent market. Even back when he was a full-time starter he was a decent player. Yet he’s always an after thought for teams. Now it’s true he’s not going to book any Pro Bowl trips or should he be the 1st or 2nd best lineman on your team. Wisniewski though is a solid interior offensive lineman, with experience at both guard spots and center. At worst he would be the best back-up interior lineman in the league and at best a solid starter. If the Redskins can’t retain both Flowers and Scherff he would be a viable option to bring in to compete with Wes Martin for the starting role.

Overall:

Like I said before I don’t consider the Redskins top options for all these players. Ward I think is either retained or will be too expensive. Sanders probably would opt for another contending team if he leaves San Francisco, and even Fuller might be a stretch as I could see Kansas City prioritizing keeping him. Fuller and Wisniewski would be nice additions to the Redskins if possible, and I would like to see them to add a veteran receiver (even if it’s not Sanders) to their young receiving core.