Washington Redskins: Front office must be aggressive addressing defense

The Washington Redskins have lost several defenders this offseason. The team must be aggressive in restocking this unit in order to contend in 2018.

If the Washington Redskins want to get back to the playoffs in 2018, they’ll need to get better on defense. Sure, getting guys back from injuries like Jonathan Allen will help, but this unit needs to keep adding bodies — productive bodies — to that side of the ball or the Redskins will once again be on the bottom of the NFL defensive standings.

Washington made one big move on Thursday, agreeing to terms with inside linebacker Zach Brown on a three-year deal that will keep him in D.C. In addition to Brown, the Redskins also re-signed Mason Foster earlier this offseason. When the two played together last season, this defense was strong against the run.

Getting Brown and Foster back allows the Redskins to use their first-round pick on another position such as the defensive line, secondary or even running back. Perhaps even another pass-rusher as former second-round pick Trent Murphy departed this week when he accepted a three-year deal with Buffalo. Junior Galette is still out there and could return if his market doesn’t develop.

Washington’s biggest need, though, is defensive line reinforcements. All offseason, we’ve heard of how much the team wants to improve the defensive line. Early in free agency, it looked like the Redskins were serious about upgrading the position when they hosted Muhammad Wilkerson, recently released by the New York Jets, for a visit. The two sides couldn’t agree to terms and Wilkerson would sign with Green Bay on the next day. Wilkerson, despite many red flags, is a player capable of being a difference-maker. He is the type of player this team needs.

Free agency didn’t offer many impact players along the defensive line. Sheldon Richardson was the top free agent with Dontari Poe right behind him. Poe negotiated with Washington but chose Carolina on Thursday afternoon. Richardson is still available, however, it looks like he has priced himself out of Washington’s desired range.

Poe, meanwhile, got a three-year deal worth $27 million from the Panthers. Poe isn’t a three-down lineman, so you can understand why Washington wouldn’t want to go that high with him. Still, Poe’s presence would’ve been huge for this defense that must play Ezekiel Elliot and Dallas twice per season as well as the defending champ Philadelphia Eagles.

With Wilkerson, Poe and Star Lotulelei choosing other destinations, and Richardson apparently heading elsewhere, too, the Redskins’ options to improve their defensive line may be limited to the draft. Sure, Washington could still sign Bennie Logan, who would be a good addition, but he isn’t an impact player. He’s another rotational piece. Bruce Allen and the front office may have missed the boat when it came to getting an impact defender via free agency.

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The Redskins don’t need another Terrell McClain or Stacy McGee. They need someone who can stop the run. Richardson would’ve given Washington a player who can not only stop the run but rush the passer, too. And he isn’t just a two-down lineman. The Redskins let everyone know one of the reasons they wanted to move on from Kirk Cousins was to be able to sign established players on both sides of the ball. What’s stopping them from making competitive offers?

The Redskins also need help in the secondary. After trading Kendall Fuller to get Alex Smith, they also lost Bashuad Breeland via free agency. That means two of the team’s top three cornerbacks will play elsewhere in 2018.

Fortunately, Washington may have some answers already on the roster in Quinton Dunbar and Fabian Moreau. The Redskins were discussing a deal with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie that apparently fell apart due to, you guessed it, money. The Redskins would be wise to keep the money low on Cromartie, though. His best football is clearly behind him and Washington could sign someone younger and cheaper to add secondary depth.

There isn’t a lot of top-end talent left in the free-agent market left that will help Washington. Expect more stopgap players on short-term deals unless an established veteran suddenly becomes available.

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The Redskins didn’t need to set the market and spend the most money in free agency in 2018. However, they needed to add impact players to help fix a woeful defense and time is running out.