The Washington Redskins need more help. So as free agency enters its second week, Washington's offseason shopping hasn’t ended. It’s just been a lot quieter than perhaps some would have liked.
The Redskins have 69 players under contract and still have $15.8 million in cap space, according to the NFL Players Association. They have 10 draft choices and typically sign 10-13 undrafted free agents to reach the 90-man roster limit. That doesn’t mean the final 21 all will be rookies. They can cut guys, too, if they want more veteran help.
Still, here’s how the roster stands and how many players they might need to add at each position. Keep in mind that this is about numbers -- the names could change:
Corners (six under contract): They need two or three more corners. They could opt to re-sign Greg Toler, though that would likely wait until after the draft when they see what they still need. The draft is considered deep at this position, so the Redskins can get another young player here who can develop. They do have four primary corners in Josh Norman, Bashaud Breeland, Kendall Fuller and Quinton Dunbar. But they need a fifth corner as well as more depth. That’s why they hosted Darius Butler last week before he re-signed with Indianapolis. Also, Breeland is entering the final year of his contract so if he’s not extended or re-signed, then they’ll need another legitimate starter, whether he's currently on the roster or not.
Offensive line (10): All five starters return. (They still like Shawn Lauvao.) Considering there’s a chance 10 linemen will make the final roster, the Redskins need more choices -- and should end up with around 15 at the start of camp. They drafted four linemen in 2014-15, but none last season. They do have depth at tackle with Ty Nsekhe and this is a crucial year for guard Arie Kouandjio. Is he just a backup or could he someday replace Lauvao, who is in the final year of his contract? The Redskins need a backup center (John Sullivan remains a free agent), preferably one who could play guard as well.
Defensive line (eight): They typically keep six so more choices -- three or four -- are needed. They have four veterans, though Phil Taylor hasn’t played the last two seasons. They have two others who played some as rookies last year -- Anthony Lanier and Matt Ioannidis. This isn’t a finished group, but the question is: How many more will they add? There’s not much left in free agency in terms of proven help aside from Johnathan Hankins. The draft must provide help, for a change, along the front. But there aren’t many first-round options so it could be the Redskins pick a potential contributor in the second or third round.
Receiver (seven): Perhaps three or four more are needed. They have interesting questions: Will Josh Doctson be healthy and contribute? Will Terrelle Pryor develop and therefore become a more dangerous target? How many more passes will Jamison Crowder receive? But they also only have two receivers who have proved to be good starters for a 16-game season in Pryor and Crowder. Jay Gruden remains high on Ryan Grant and Maurice Harris showed he could help down the stretch last season. Kendal Thompson has good hands and quick feet -- both good attributes in the slot -- and could win a job. They could use more speed here (though Doctson and Pryor both can be different downfield threats in part because of their size and leaping ability).
Linebacker (14): They could use three or four more. Five linebackers are entering the final year of their deal, including Will Compton, Mason Foster, Trent Murphy and Preston Smith. With Murphy likely suspended for the first four games after violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, the Redskins need more options whether to upgrade starters or just to add depth. Again, it’s a good draft to find pass-rushers and, therefore, outside linebackers. Regardless, they need more bodies.
Running back (five): There isn't a fullback in the group, so they could use one for camp if nothing else. That position has been minimized in Jay Gruden’s offense, and last year a tight end would fill that role when necessary. Still, they’ll likely add a fullback before camp. What if something happens to their tight ends who can handle this role? They could add one more running back as well.
Quarterback (three): They don’t need to add any more. They’ve taken three to camp in Gruden’s first three years.
Safety (eight): They don’t need to add more here, either. Of course, who those eight are could change but in terms of numbers they’re in good shape. Keep in mind: It’s considered a good safety draft.
Tight end (five): Perhaps one more is needed, someone who could be developed on the practice squad, perhaps. They have four veterans: Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, Niles Paul and Derek Carrier. The latter two are entering the final year of their contracts.
Specialists (three): They don’t need to sign anyone else, unless they want competition for Dustin Hopkins after a tough season. Hopkins made 89.3 percent of his kicks in 2015 and only 81 percent last year.
