The Washington Redskins have done something unusual in free agency thus far: they've succeeded. I think. I've thought that before, but for a variety of reasons that hasn't been the case. More quarterback talk, is there a chance Leonard Williams will fall to Washington and what about pursuing safety Will Hill? And more. Enjoy.
@john_keim how would you rate the 'Skins free agency so far? Given their signings, who should their top draft targets be? #jkmailbag #HTTR
— Paul (@pbnjdomenico) March 19, 2015John Keim: So far, very good. I like what they've done with the defensive line. They're better with Terrance Knighton and Stephen Paea over an injured Barry Cofield and a bad-kneed Stephen Bowen. They're better at corner with Chris Culliver as a starter. I like that they did not chase some higher-profile players and seem to have a plan for building a roster, but there have been times in the past I felt the same way. The key is not changing the plan every other year. I like that they're not just throwing money at players to placate fans or media. As far as the draft, I look more at positions than names: edge rusher, safety, corner, offensive line, running back (later) and receiver (depth).
@john_keim If Titans go QB, do you see Williams falling to 5? Would Skins take him? He could be a better trade chip than Mariota #jkmailbag
— Michael Collyer (@mcollyer71) March 19, 2015Keim: No, I don't see him falling that far. He's the best defensive player in the draft. My gut tells me the No. 2 pick is Marcus Mariota, whether to the Titans or another team. And while I'd be shocked to see Williams fall three more spots, what the quarterback does do is perhaps give the Redskins their choice of edge rushers (assuming Tampa Bay takes Williams and Oakland takes a receiver). Indirectly, a second quarterback in the top five can help Washington.
@john_keim Hey John, Is Will Hill available? Worth a look?? Your Take? #jkmailbag
— AricPope (@AricPope) March 16, 2015Keim: Hill is a restricted free agent so the Ravens have the ability to match any offer made to him. Because he was undrafted in 2012, his tender would not require compensation if another team signs him. However, I would not take a chance on him. This is too similar to the Tanard Jackson situation; Hill was suspended in each of the last two seasons (six games last year) and another one will result in a one-year ban. You can't become desperate and overlook these issues. The Ravens are a strong enough organization to overcome certain problems; the Redskins are not.
@john_keim #jkmailbag The rule change I would like to see is to have all 53 players dress on game day, is that ever proposed?
— Butts Larue (@ButtsLarue) March 18, 2015Keim: I know it's been discussed, but the reasoning I've always heard is this: If every player were active, then there would be plenty of games where one team would have an advantage because of injuries. In other words: What if Team A has only one or two injured players that week, but Team B has four or five. then Team A has an advantage. By having the inactive list it almost always results in both teams having an equal number of healthy players.
@john_keim read a rumor that Chargers are looking to trade Rivers for Mariota draft spot. Would and should skins be interested?#jkmailbag
— Timothy Tribbett,DVM (@tntDVM) March 19, 2015Keim: Yeah, I've seen those rumors and it's hard to know how much stock to put into them. Could be two sides negotiating and letting the other know they could move on. But Rivers is still an excellent quarterback. Teams just don't give up on quarterbacks they feel can still play (See: McNabb, Donovan) unless they have a great option already in place. But who knows. The Chargers once fired Marty Schottenheimer for Norv Turner. If for some reason the Chargers called, any team with a need at quarterback should be interested. The Redskins have three quarterbacks and three big question marks. But I have no idea if they'd make such a move and if Rivers indeed is on the block I'd want to do serious research to find out why.
Any chance RGIII gets traded? Any truth to the rumblings that Coach and Owner aren't on the same page philosophically? #jkmailbag @john_keim
— DennisDuncan (@DennisDuncan4) March 19, 2015Keim: If it were up to the coach, Griffin would be gone. The owner, it appears, wants to keep him around another year. Griffin does not have a ton of supporters on the football side as far as feeling he can become the sort of franchise quarterback they once envisioned. So, no, I don't think they're on the same page. Not saying Jay Gruden is right or wrong in his assessment, just that they differ. I think the only way Griffin gets traded is if another quarterback comes back in return (probably obvious). Based on the coaches not having much confidence in him, anything is possible. But they'll have to convince the owner it's a smart move and I'm not sure they'll be able to do so.
