The Washington Redskins gave up a fourth-round pick to Green Bay for safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at Tuesday’s trade deadline. It was an outstanding move.
Heading into Tuesday afternoon’s NFL trade deadline, the Washington Redskins were expected to be quiet. If anything, Washington may check out a couple of receivers due to some of the injuries in that group, or perhaps a cornerback with starter Quinton Dunbar currently banged up. Well, the Redskins surprised everyone by sending a fourth-round pick to the Green Bay Packers for safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
This was a smart move by a team that believes it can win the NFC East. At 5-2, the Redskins currently sit atop the division and have a favorable upcoming schedule. With an already strong defense, adding Clinton-Dix can take this unit from good to elite.
At safety, the Redskins currently employ D.J. Swearinger at strong safety and second-year pro Montae Nicholson at free safety. They have proven to be a very good pairing, however, Nicholson has battled injuries and the Redskins have very little depth at the position.
This also fortifies Washington’s secondary. Outside of veteran Josh Norman and Dunbar, the Redskins have second-year pro Fabian Moreau and three rookies in Greg Stroman, Adonis Alexander and Danny Johnson at cornerback. Getting another safety with experience can help this group and allows Washington to play more “big nickel” packages where Swearinger, Nicholson and Clinton-Dix are all on the field at the same time.
D.J. Swearinger is the No. 2 graded safety at @PFF this season
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) October 30, 2018
Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix is the No. 3 graded safety at @PFF this season
Both are now Redskins
Swearinger is having an All-Pro season for Washington and leads the NFL in interceptions with four. Clinton-Dix is right behind him with three picks. And, according to Pro Football Focus, they are league’s No. 2 and No. 3 ranked safeties. Having Clinton-Dix, in addition to Nicholson, allows Swearinger to roam more at his natural position of strong safety. Swearinger is at his best in the box.
Washington has one of the best defensive lines in the league. The Redskins are the league’s No. 2-ranked run defense, allowing just 80 yards per game and under four yards per attempt.
Acquiring Clinton-Dix makes Washington’s pass defense better. Opposing tight ends have always been a problem for the Redskins. Clinton-Dix can help alleviate some of those concerns and adds another element to an already strong defense.
And giving up a fourth-round pick for Clinton-Dix is a small investment. A free agent in the offseason, if Clinton-Dix leaves, Washinton can likely recoup a compensatory pick if he signs elsewhere. For the Redskins, this is an outstanding move that puts them one step closer to reaching the playoffs in 2018.