The Washington Redskins didn’t have the greatest start to Free Agency after losing receivers DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon then defensive tackle Chris Baker. The team did, however, rebound rather quickly by signing run-stuffing defensive tackles Terrell McClain (6-2, 302 pounds) and Stacy McGee (6-3, 311 pounds), Washington also added safety D.J. Swearinger, who should make an immediate impact on the Redskins roster.
The Redskins also have a meeting with former Cleveland Browns receiver Terrell Pryor (6-4, 223 pounds) on Thursday night. Pryor had 77 catches for 1007 yards and four touchdowns last year in his first season as a receiver after switching positions from quarterback.
Washington is in a bad spot as the franchise almost has to sign Pryor to make up for the loss of Jackson and Garcon’s production level over the last couple of years.
Run stoppers are Washington’s top need this offseason
Losing Chris Baker hurt the Redskins locker room and defensive line, but the fact is the NFL is a business and Big Swaggy decided to move on. McGee and McClain are both hole-plugging lineman who occasionally gets sacks. While they’re not all pro’s they are workable pieces. In comparison, Baker only had one more sack than both of them last season and only a handful more of tackles. The team reportedly is still pursuing former Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Dontari Poe as well.
Can confirm it's a 5-year deal worth $25M for newly-acquired DT Stacy McGee, per source #Redskins
— Master Tesfatsion (@MasterTes) March 9, 2017
#Redskins are signing DT Terrell McClain, per source. 4 yr deal north of $21M. They fill a big need in the trenches.
— Master Tesfatsion (@MasterTes) March 9, 2017
Safety has been a need for multiple seasons
Signing D.J.
Swearinger is an under-the-radar move that gives the team a starter to go next to Su’a Cravens on the back-end next year at safety. The hard-hitting Swearinger is a welcomed addition to the Redskins secondary that rated near the bottom of the league last year. In 35 career starts he has 177 tackles with three sacks, six interceptions, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
The Swearinger signing likely means the team will not bring Duke Ihenacho back next season.
The three players the Redskins lost all signed with new teams on deals that were outside of what Washington was willing to pay. Jackson and Garcon both signed deals with $20 million guaranteed included, Jackson will make $12 million a year, while Garcon will get $23 million in his first two years ($16 million in year one). Baker signs a deal for double what he was making per year in Washington. If the Redskins would have tried to re-sign all three they would have had to pay nearly $34 million for year one of those deals, which is all of the cap space they currently have since they franchise tagged Kirk Cousins at $23.93 million.
