NFL Free agency is almost here, and many teams are making sure to lock down their players even before it starts. The Redskins are one of the teams under the microscope this offseason, as they have many decisions to make one of the biggest being whether or not to keep Kirk Cousins. Besides that they need to try to bring back many of their pass weapons. Desean Jackson and Pierre Garcon are both free agents, and their backup TE Vernon Davis is going to be one as well. They got one, but not the other, as they signed Davis to a three year deal, but reports say Garcon is signing with the 49ers.
Backup Plan
The Redskins saw the value in Vernon Davis last season and made sure to bring him back for the foreseeable future. When Jordan Reed was out with injuries, Davis stepped up in the place of him, giving Cousins a reliable target in the passing game. Last season, Davis caught 44 passes for 583 yards last season, which is very good for a backup tight end. He also added two touchdowns last season. With Davis being back, and Reed hopefully being healthy, the Redskins will be able to use a two tight end set and dominate defenses with their run game, which can turn into play action pass opportunities for Davis and Reed.
Heading West
The Redskins brought back some needed talent, but they lost some as well.
Their leading receiver last year Pierre Garcon is planning to sign with the San Francisco 49ers according to ESPN's Chris Mortenson. Garcon was a tank for the Redskins, only missing 6 games in his five-year stint with the team. Garcon has familiarity with 49ers Coach Kyle Shanahan, as he played with him when Shanahan was an OC for the Redskins.
He had his best season when he was there having over 1,300 yards and catching 113 passes.
Garcon, who is 30, still has some juice left in him as he had another 1,000 yard season for the Redskins last year. His deal with the 49ers wont be complete until Thursday, but in his first year he will be making $16 million dollars according to reports.
He is helping a 49ers receiving core that was awful last season only catching 160 passes and 1,777 yards and eight touchdowns combined. Garcon was a middle of the field threat for Washington, and he hopes he can be the same for the 49ers.
In NFL free agency you win some, and you lose some. That's what happened to the Redskins here. They were able to retain some veteran leadership and talent in Vernon Davis, but the lost their top receiver in Pierre Garcon. Now that Garcon is gone, will this push the Redskins' hand and sign Desean Jackson?
