Washington Redskins: Free Agency Brings Quality Moves Despite Drama

The Washington Redskins drama surrounding the dismissal of general manager Scot McCloughan has clouded a productive free agency period thus far.

It’s been a strange 2017 thus far for the Washington Redskins. The team lost one coordinator, fired another, then fired general manager Scot McCloughan after silencing him for the past few months. However, despite all of this, the Redskins have acquired four new players during the first two days of free agency and are poised to add more.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Philadelphia defensive tackle Bennie Logan is in town Saturday and could be the next to sign with Washington.

Signing Logan would likely allow the Redskins to move onto other positions such as inside linebacker. The Redskins were rumored to have been linked to Logan back in January.

Washington already signed Terrell McClain and Stacy McGee to deals, and both could start. Washington’s defensive line was a major weakness last season. Chris Baker, the team’s best defensive lineman in 2015 and 2016, left for a three-year deal in Tampa Bay. McClain essentially replaces Baker as a defensive end in the 3-4 scheme. McClain had a career year in Dallas in 2016, starting 15 games and establishing himself as a solid starter.

McGee, who just turned 27, is entering his fifth season in the NFL. Last year in Oakland, McGee finally became a full-time starter, but was limited to nine games due to ankle and groin injuries. McGee is more of a two-down player than can play the nose in the 3-4.

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These signings will join veteran Ricky-Jean Francois and second-year players Anthony Lanier and Matt Ioannidis on Washington’s defensive front. Head coach Jay Gruden hopes new defensive line coach Jim Tomsula can get the best out of this group.

Safety D.J Swearinger also signed with the Redskins. Swearinger, who came into his own with the Cardinals after a rocky start to his career, is an aggressive—and instinctive—downhill safety who will bring much-needed physicality to Washington’s defense. Swearinger will be on his fourth team in five years. He was a second-round pick by Houston in 2013.

Wide receiver Terrelle Pryor surprisingly signed a one-year deal with the Redskins on Friday. Most assumed Pryor would have a more robust market. However, teams could be concerned with his relative inexperience at the position. Pryor is still learning how to run routes. With his combination of size and speed, Pryor has the ability to be an elite receiver. This one-year contract is perfect for Washington as it helps the team replace two productive veterans in DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon—who signed elesewhere—without having to hand out a long-term deal.

Next: NFL Free Agency Rumors Tracker: March 11

While the Redskins will certainly miss Garcon and Jackson in the short term, the team was wise not to overspend on either receiver. Both are over 30 and received huge deals from their respective new teams.

So, despite all the turmoil surrounding the team and front office, this offseason has surprisingly gotten off to a solid start and more help could be on the way.