With the hiring of new GM Martin Mayhew and Executive VP of Football and Player Personnel Marty Hurney, the foundation of the front office is now in place and they can look to improve the roster. This team has some good pieces on both sides of the ball, but these few moves can take this team to the next level.
Priority #1: Get a starting/franchise QB
Any offseason where you are looking for a new QB is a huge offseason in the history of your franchise, and Washington needs a new starting QB. There will potentially be QB options for Washington to take a shot at, but they might not get the top guys. Per source, Washington is willing to “take a big swing” at a franchise QB.
Another option could be Matthew Stafford, who he and the Detroit Lions have “mutually agreed to part ways this offseason” per Adam Schefter.
Other teams like the 49ers and Patriots might also be interested in trading for Stafford, but he won’t go for top market value. Look at the Alex Smith trade to Washington in January of 2018 as a baseline, a third-round pick, and Kendall Fuller. Will Washington be willing to part ways with picks and/or a good young player like they were before? They have 4 picks in the first three rounds, including the 49ers third-round pick they got in the Trent Williams trade.
Washington could be in the mix for a potential trade for Watson, but I don’t think Washington has good enough drafts capital to compete with other teams, but they should definitely call just to see who they’re competing against.
Depending on what Dallas does with Dak Prescott (I predict they re-sign/franchise tag him), he would be my first option over Deshaun Watson simply because I’d rather give up money to sign Dak as a FA than trade for Deshaun Watson and give up years worth of draft picks and still pay him the amount of money he’s due.
What about a guy like Sam Darnold? Are the Jets hitting a reboot on the entire roster? If he becomes available, I would most definitely give the Jets a call. He’s only 23 years old, and a change of scenery could give him the chance he needs to become the QB people always envisioned him to be.
The floor option Tyrod Taylor. A veteran presence that does not turn the ball over a lot, and remains steady. There is a realistic chance Washington misses out completely on one of the top QB options, but that does not mean they should not at least try and see what it would take to get one of these guys in the building.
Priority #2: Get another stud WR
Another WR is a must need in Washington, and has been since they lost Pierre Garcon and Desean Jackson in the 2017 offseason. They struck gold with Terry McLaurin, but they have no other proven WR on the roster. I think going after a guy like Curtis Samuel makes a lot of sense, with his offensive versatility and familiarity with the Scott Turner offense, I think Washington would love to have him on the roster.
I also think they’ll be willing to swing for the fences and go after a guy like Allen Robinson. He’s definitely the best WR in this FA class, averaging 75 catches, 1050 yards, and about 6 TDs during his time in Chicago. They were willing to offer more money to Amari Cooper who signed a 5 year/$100M contract with the Dallas Cowboys, so I’m sure they’d be willing to give Robinson a good contract to sure up the receiver core.
Depending on how free agency goes, I can totally see Washington drafting a receiver in either the first or second round like a Jaylen Waddle from Alabama, but I think they need a veteran to complement the young guys.
Cam Sims and Antonio Gandy-Golden are good young depth pieces at this point, but this team is in need of a veteran WR that can command some type of attention away from the other weapons.
Priority #3: Get the offensive line fixed
With Brandon Scherff’s contract situation currently up in the air, the overall offensive line is up in the air, especially on the left side. Chase Roullier and Morgan Moses are under contract, Wes Schweitzer is an interesting option at LG, but they need to address Left Tackle. Saahdiq Charles had a rookie year filled with injuries, so we had no idea what he can become, so addressing the position with a veteran is a good option. Scherff needs to be re-signed, as the team’s running game was very bad without him on the roster, and he’s one of the best guards in all of football, and letting him go would be a very big mistake. My prediction is they resign Brandon Scherff to a 5 year deal for about $15M per year as his presence on this line is too important, and he might be coming off the best year of his career.
A long shot could Trent Williams. Yes, they just traded him last year during the NFL Draft, but his issues were a combination of money, the medical staff, and team president Bruce Allen. Both Allen and the medical staff are now gone, and Washington has about $50M in cap space this offseason (potentially an extra $20M if they release Alex Smith, which I expect them to do) and they must address some of the issues at hand. Williams is reportedly open to a reunion with Washington, and I’m sure Washington is willing to bring him back.
Priority #4: Add another CB
If Washington wants to take this defense to the next level, adding another cornerback is pivotal. I fully expect them to bring back Ronald Darby on a 3-year deal for about $6-7M a year. Kendall Fuller was their big signing of the 2020 offseason, and he was worth every penny. I think he is better suited on the inside playing nickel, but adding another corner good on the outside would take this defense to the next level. Was it their feeling on Fabian Moreau? He found himself out of the rotation more often than not, and Jimmy Moreland is too small to play on the outside. I don’t think they’ll make a splash in free agency for a corner, but it is definitely a position they must address.