We're taking a look at the Washington Redskins' free agents as we approach the start of the open signing period on March 10.
Player: Leonard Hankerson
Position: Receiver
History with Redskins: A third-round pick in 2011 whose career has been marked by injuries. In four seasons he's played in 31 games, including only one this past year when he was made inactive six times. Hankerson has caught 81 passes for 1,081 yards and six touchdowns.
2014 cap number: $817,644
Projected 2015 role: Fourth receiver
Assessing the market: Not a big one, though there will be some interested teams. Will likely to have to sign a one-year league minimum deal to prove himself.
Reason to re-sign: It's not as if the Redskins have a lot of depth at receiver. Santana Moss is likely done and Ryan Grant didn't do much to distinguish himself during the regular season, though the coaches do like him a lot and feel he can develop. Even if he does they need more bodies. Aside from the main three -- Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts -- Grant and Jerry Rice Jr. are the only ones under contract. And Rice is nothing but a practice squad candidate at this point. There's still a feeling that Hankerson can play and that last season he just missed too much time in the spring and summer to contribute when he was finally recovered from his 2013 torn ACL. They had hoped he would, but Hankerson wasn't quite comfortable with the offense. At 6-foot-2, Hankerson still offers a little height, something the Redskins lack at this position. He can play multiple receiver spots. There's no harm in re-signing him to a one-year deal and let him prove himself, starting in camp.
Reason he might not: Because durability is a major issue with him and there were definitely times last summer and throughout the season that coach Jay Gruden was frustrated with the number of players constantly nursing injuries. Hankerson's injuries have been big ones so it's not as if he is sidelined by a lot of nagging issues. Still, he's not available all that much. It's also a good draft for receivers. Also, other teams are keeping their eye on him. At this point, Hankerson is nothing more than a No. 4 receiver who does not help on special teams.
