What free agents could be on the Redskins radar?

The free agency deadline for the National Football League is on the horizon and it is a good time to look at what possible unrestricted free agents that the Washington Redskins could be looking at to add to their roster for 2013. The big thing the ‘Skins have going against them is they were docked $18 million for 2013 as the year is the second of the $36 million total for the non-cap year violations from 2010. Dan Snyder and Co. will be working on a tight budget and will have to spend their money wisely as far as picking up any free agents this offseason.

It is being said that the Redskins are $3 million over the cap, so that means that the team will have to restructure current contracts or cut them. There are 19 players who are entering 2013 in the last year of the current deals. Some of the current Redskins that could see their contracts restructured or being cut are DeAngelo Hall ($8 million for 2013), Barry Cofield ($6.3 million), London Fletcher ($6.2 million), Stephen Bowen ($5 million), Josh Wilson ($5.3 million), Brian Orakpo ($5.1 million), Brandon Merriweather ($2.9 million), Adam Carriker ($4.75 million), and the biggest contract of the group in Pierre Garcon at $8.2 million. Other big earners for 2013 for the Redskins are Trent Williams, Santana Moss, and Will Montgomery. Fletcher and Moss have had some tenure in the NFL and one could very easily see why they could retire. Their statuses for 2013 is in up in the air but if they choose to retire, it will certainly open up some cap space. Several of these players have been criticized for not living up to their expectations and that is the CB posistion in Hall and Wilson.  This will certainly be one position that Shanahan and Snyder will be mulling and pondering over big time.

As far as looking at other free agents, several could be a possibility. While Trent Williams held down the left tackle spot at a Pro-Bowl level in 2012, the right side was inconsistient. Big Andre Smith from the Cincinatti Bengals should be testing the free agent waters after not having the franchise tag placed on him and would be an excellent compliment for protection to RG3. It is being reported that his asking price is $9 million per year. Winston Justice from Indianapolis would be a cost-effective pickup at RT and the good thing is that he has a lot of experience in the zone blocking scheme employed by the Redskins. The name though that has floated around alot on Redskins message boards as far as picking up a FA right tackle is the 6’9″ behemoth from the Minneapolis Vikings in Phil Loadholt. It is not sure if the franchise tag will be used on Loadholt but it is being said that he is looking for $10 million a year so it could turn out to be that Loadholt will be too expensive.

Josh Cribbs could be a welcomed addition

If Santana Moss or any of the other WR’s beside Garcon decides to retire or is cut, WR Josh Cribbs from the Cleveland Browns could be a nice replacement. Cribbs is a hard-working player and another great thing is that he can return kicks and punts and would make him very enticing to go after. Danny Amendola from the St. Louis Rams could be an excellent addition to the Redskins lineup. Tight End Fred Davis is coming into the final year of his contract in 2012 but it is being said that he has recovered fully from his Achilles tendon rupture. 2012 is going to be very important for Davis so the Redskins must decide should they go after a FA tight end or go ahead and get one in the upcoming draft. It is being reported that the Redskins will place the franchise tag on Davis, but with his injury status and his past drug use and suspension, the Redskins could certainly go after a FA tight end.

As far as the defensive backfield goes and free agency for the Redskins, they most likely will go the draft route for adding depth and the way it looks is that Hall and Wilson will be back next year and will have to play superbly if they wish to stay with the Redskins. Tanard Jackson is still under contract with the ‘Skins but is facing an indefinite suspension so he will not be back until he meets certain league criteria. The 2013 NFL Draft is filled with some good DB talent so again, Shanahan and Snyder should focus their efforts in the draft to get this fixed. Free agency gets underway for 2013 in the NFL on March 13th.