Who could wear the burgundy and gold in 2019 as a free agent?
With Super Bowl LIII and the 2018 season officially behind us, it is time to dive into who could be on the Washington Redskins roster come 2019. That game begins with free agency. Over a 5-part series, we will look at which free agent the Redskins should sign from the other 31 NFL teams including where they would fit on the roster. Part 1 begins with Arizona thru Chicago with a pattern that starts to emerge.
Arizona Cardinals
Tre Boston (26 yrs old), FS
Starter
Tre Boston played his college ball at North Carolina. Boston was drafted in the 4th round by the Carolina Panthers in 2014. He Started 13 of 14 games played while recording 79 tackles, played on 90 percent of defensive snaps, and hauled in three interceptions during the 2019 season. With questions in the air about Montae Nicholson’s status, Boston would be an immediate plug and play option.
Atlanta Falcons
Jordan Richards (24 yrs old), SS
Starter
Jordan Richards played his college ball at Stanford. Richards was drafted in the 2nd round in 2015 by the Atlanta Falcons. He started 12 of 15 games played while recording 39 tackles and played on 42 percent of defensive snaps in 2018. With the unceremonious departure of D.J. Swearinger, the Redskins are in need of a starting Strong Safety. Richards youth and range would give them what they had in Swearinger, without the undercutting of the coaching staff.
Baltimore Ravens
Za’Darius Smith (26 yrs old), OLB
Starter
Za’Darius Smith played his college ball at Kentucky and was drafted in the 4th round in the 2015 draft by the Baltimore Ravens. Za’Darius started eight of 16 games played while recording 8.5 sacks, 45 tackles, and one forced fumble while playing 67 percent of defensive snaps in 2018. Smith could come at a high price, possibly the same cost at what Preston Smith is wanting to command. Za’Darius would be an upgrade over Preston with the latter’s motor being questioned the past two seasons.
Buffalo Bills
Ryan Groy (28 yrs old), G
Depth
Ryan Groy played his college ball at Wisconsin and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago Bears after the 2014 draft. Groy started 6 of 14 games while playing in 50 percent of the offensive snaps. It has been clear that the Redskins need depth at the offensive line and Groy would be a perfect candidate to fill that void at a reasonable price.
Carolina Panthers
Eric Reid (27 yrs old), SS
Starter
Eric Reid played his college ball at LSU and was drafted in the 1st round of the 2013 draft by San Francisco. Reid started 13 of 13 possible games after not signing with a team in the offseason due to his on the field protesting. Eric played 91 percent of defensive snaps, 71 tackles, one forced fumble, and one interception. Reid would be an immediate plug and play option at Strong Safety and provide stability at that position for years to come. He could come cheaper than we might think due to the controversy that surrounds him.
Chicago Bears
Bryce Callahan (27 yrs old), CB
Depth
Bryce Callahan played his college ball at Rice and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Bears in 2015. Callahan started 10 of 13 games played on 64 percent of defensive snaps while tallying 45 tackles and two interceptions. The Redskins cornerback position has some depth to it already, but this is a league where you cannot have enough. Callahan would be a nice insurance policy should Fabian Moreau or Greg Stroman struggle in 2019.
