The 2018 NFL Free Agency has been extremely active this week. The Washington Redskins however seemed to not be as active as other teams. We will recap the moves the team has made so far.
- The Alex Smith trade became official. His official trade was for cornerbsck Kendall Fuller and a 2018 third-round pick. Smith’s contract extension for four years after this year at $17 million a year, with $71 million guaranteed. With the rise of quarterback contracts, this looks like a bargain for the Redskins.
- The main new free agent signing is wide receiver Paul Richardson from Seattle. His contract is five years at $40 million dollars, with $16.5 million guaranteed. There is an out after the third year which the team can use. Last season, Richardson played in all 16 games, and had 44 receptions for 703 yards and 6 touchdowns on 80 targets. That is a low reception rate, however, the Seattle passing offense was not the best. Richardson will be expected to play a role similar to the role Desean Jackson played in Jay Gruden’s offense. That deep threat element was missing for the offense last season. Hopefully, Jay Gruden came incorporate Richardson into the offense similar to how the Chiefs used Tyreek Hill.
- The team had defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie visit Redskins Park this week. Even with the visits reportedly going well, both left without deals. Wilkerson ended up leaving and signing with Green Bay for a cheap deal at one year for $5 million dollars. Wilkerson most likely wanted to be reunited with his former defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, who was recently hired in the same position in Green Bay. Rodgers-Cromartie left without making a deal, and speculation is he wants to take time to weight options and may not make a decision until April.
- The Redskins reached a long term deal with linebacker and leading tackler Zach Brown for three years, $24 million dollars. The would seem to be around $8 million dollars a year, but the specifics aren’t known yet. This is a reasonable deal and locks Brown and Foster together for the next few years.
- Outside linebacker Trent Murphy reached a deal with the Buffalo Bills for three years, $22.5 million dollars with $10.3 million guaranteed. That is a great deal for Murphy who is coming off an ACL injury and will be facing a four-game suspension this coming season. The Redskins were definitely not going to offer this big a deal. Junior Galette and the Redskins have been talking so look for the team to ramp up those talks.
- Ryan Grant and Bashaud Breeland reached agreements with the Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers respectively, however they both were voided by failed physicals. Grant had injured his ankle in the season finale against the New York Giants, finished the game, but apparently it was still an issue. Breeland cut his foot on a piece of glass while on vacation in the Dominican Republic. His foot apparently won’t be fully healed for awhile which will affect his ability to sign a new contract.
Over the next couple of weeks, expect the Redskins to bring in other defensive tackles and cornerbacks, looking to sign one or two at each position. While the Redskins haven’t been as active as other franchises, they are making the appropriate moves for the team.
(Photo credit:Â Jay Biggerstaff/USA Today)
