2019 Redskins Roster Primer
January 7, 2019
by Steve Thomas
Happy offseason everyone! Since the Redskins aren’t in the playoffs, again, it’s time to turn to our 2019 offseason coverage. I thought about going on an anti-Dan Snyder/ Bruce Allen rant for this column, but frankly I’m a bit bored with that, because it’s like yelling into the wind – the only person that matters can’t hear our pleas. Instead, I figured it would be more useful to give you a roster and free agency update as the team begins to turn to next season. Quite a bit is riding on next year, including Jay Gruden’s at a minimum, and there are plenty of holes on the roster, so we’ll have a host of things to dissect in the coming months. Let’s get started.
General salary cap update
Right at this moment, the Redskins have over $174M obligated towards the 2019 salary cap, and will have about $8M in rollover space that counts towards 2019. If, as expected, the cap goes up to about $190M, the Redskins should have between approximately $20M – $24M in available space next year, depending on the final cap number. Subtract the rookie salary pool, and they’ll have something in the neighborhood of $20M prior to any space-saving cuts.
Defensive Line:
Unrestricted Free Agents: Caleb Brantley
2019 Projected Starters: Jon Allen, Matt Ioannidis, Daron Payne
This group is clearly the strength of the team. The starters are young and developing, with Allen becoming a star in the making, and Payne mostly living up to his draft status.
Ioannidis’ low-cost rookie contract runs through 2019. Allen’s rookie deal expires in 2020, but the team has a team option for 2021. The rookie contracts of Payne and Tim Settle both extend through 2021, with the Redskins holding an option on Payne in 2022. Stacy McGee is signed through 2021, but the Redskins can save $2.4M by cutting him in 2019.
Brantley was only active for 7 games in 2018, with one tackle, and most likely won’t be back.
Inside Linebackers
Unrestricted Free Agents: Marquis Flowers, Zach Vigil
2019 Projected Starters: Mason Foster, Zach Brown
The inside linebackers were mostly terrible this year, so the team would be wise to look elsewhere for 2019, whether that’s accused domestic abuser and overall mess Reuben Foster or not. Mason Foster is signed through 2019, but would be a $2M savings if cut. Brown’s contract runs through 2019 but would represent a savings of $5.75M if cut before the 2019 season. Josh-Harvey Clemons, who played nickel backer this year, is on his rookie contract through 2020. Shaun Dion-Hamilton, who started for Brown at times this season, is signed on his rookie deal through 2021.
The controversial Reuben Foster is currently on the Commissioner’s Exempt List and facing a possible suspension but is signed on his rookie deal through 2020 and has a pre-suspension cap hit of $1.286M next season.
Outside Linebackers
Unrestricted Free Agents: Marcus Smith, Preston Smith, Pernell McPhee
Exclusive Rights Free Agent: Cassanova McKinzy
2019 Projected Starters: Ryan Kerrigan
Longtime star Ryan Kerrigan is signed through 2020. His cap hit next year is $13.95M, and would represent a savings of $10.75M if released. With the Redskins seemingly willing to allow Preston Smith to reach free agency, the team will probably be on the lookout for a new starter, although they could try to bring him back.
2017 second round pick Ryan Anderson is signed to his rookie contract through 2020.
McKinzy bounced between the practice squad and the active roster this year before ending up on injured reserve. Since he’s an Exclusive Rights Free Agent, the Redskins hold his rights and can prevent him from leaving if the team chooses.
Corners
Free Agents: None
2019 Projected Starters: Josh Norman, Quinton Dunbar
Norman is signed through 2020, has a 2019 cap hit of $14.5M and would save $8.5M if cut. Dunbar, who is obviously on injured reserve, is under contract through 2020. His 2019 cap hit is is $2.425M and would be a savings of $2.25M if cut.
2017 third round pick Fabian Moreau is on his rookie contract through 2020. Rookies Greg Stroman and Adonis Alexander are signed through 2021. Undrafted free agent Danny Johnson is signed through 2020. Mid-season picks Alex Carter, Harlen Miller, and Jeremy Reaves all signed two year deals through 2019.
The Redskins historically draft a good number of defensive backs, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they spend a pick on one this year. With that having been said, the Redskins have a quite a few young prospects, and they may be willing to give them time to develop, particularly if Quinton Dunbar’s nerve problems are healed and they elect to keep Norman for another year. If both of those things happen, the primary competition would be for the slot corner role, and at least one of the young players will hopefully step up into that job.
Safeties
Free Agents: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
2019 Projected Starters: Unknown
The safety group is a total mess after the unexpected release of D.J. Swearinger and the placement of Montae Nicholson on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list following his arrest last month. The only true safeties in good status on the roster are Deshazor Everett, who is signed through 2019, and 2018 rookie Troy Apke, who was on injured reserve for the season but is signed through 2021.
Nicholson’s status for 2019 is dependent on the results of the NFL’s investigation into his recent arrest. If the NFL ultimately finds that he violated the league’s personal conduct policy (which, for the millionth time, does not depend on the results of the criminal case), he will be suspended for a portion of the 2019 season.
It would be irresponsible of the Redskins not to look for at least one starting quality safety in free agency. Don’t be surprised if that player ends up being Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who started slowly after his trade and was a poor tackler at times but came on stronger towards the end of the season. The Redskins will also likely draft a safety as well.
Quarterbacks
Unrestricted Free Agents: Josh Johnson, Mark Sanchez
2019 Projected Starter: Someone with a low number who hopefully can throw the ball
If there’s one position group that’s in bigger disarray than the safeties, it’s quarterbacks. Alex Smith’s gruesome leg injury really put the Redskins in a bind from a salary cap perspective. Even if Smith were healthy, which he isn’t, he is uncuttable in 2019. He has a $20.4M cap hit in 2019 and would cost the team $42M against the cap if he’s cut. Smith’s injury makes him 100% untradeable, but if that were not an issue, a pre-June 1 trade would cost the Redskins $6.6M in cap space, not save space, whereas a post-June 1 trade would save $13.65M. Smith’s contract protects him against injury, so if he is unable to resume his career and is forced to retire it will be essentially treated like a release, meaning a $42M loss against the cap (which could be split between 2019 and 2020 if the team used the post-June 1 rules). Smith’s guaranty voids if he is able to play health-wise but voluntarily retires, so that isn’t going to happen. The most likely event is that Smith isn’t ready to play for week one but does not retire, instead going to the Physically Unable to Perform list. If that happens, he will count for his full $20.4M cap hit even though he can’t play for the start of the season.
That’s why you shouldn’t expect the Redskins to sign any free agent quarterbacks who aren’t a minimal cap hit. There’s no way out of Smith’s contract that doesn’t involve Smith being unreasonably nice. The team just can’t afford to spend big money on a quarterback in 2019 if they have $20.4M in the rehab room, not playing.
Colt McCoy, also on injured reserve with a broken leg but apparently already close to full health, is signed through 2019 and has a $3.5M cap hit next season.
Given the issues with this group, it seems mandatory for the team to draft a quarterback this year, most likely a mid-round prospect.
Tackles
Unrestricted Free Agents: Austin Howard, Ty Nsekhe
2019 Projected Starters: Trent Williams, Morgan Moses
Trent Williams, the 7-time Pro Bowler, is signed through 2020. He has a 2019 cap hit of $14.95M and would be a savings of $9.25M if cut (which shouldn’t and isn’t going to happen, obviously). The right tackle, Morgan Moses, is signed through 2022, has a cap hit of $6.9M in 2019 and would be a savings of $1.2M if released (which, again, isn’t going to happen).
Geron Christian, the 2018 rookie who spent most of the year on injured reserve, is signed through 2021. Timon Parris, who bounced between the practice squad, the active roster, and not on the roster at all, signed a minimum salary two year deal through 2019.
All of the other emergency offensive line pickups were really guards, so that’s it for this group. If Nsekhe leaves in free agency – which is possible considering he’s a starting quality player who will never be a full-time starter here in DC – the Redskins may pursue a free agent if Christian, who was shaky in limited action, isn’t ready to step up in the swing tackle role.
Guards and Centers
Unrestricted Free Agents: Tony Bergstrom, Luke Bowanko, Jonathan Cooper, Zac Kerin, Arie Kouandjio, Shawn Lauvao
2019 Projected Starters: Chase Roullier, Brandon Scherff
The Redskins’ group of guards and centers is, to be kind, troubled. Brandon Scherff, who spent the year on injured reserve, is a Pro Bowl-level player, and Chase Roullier is a solid and underrated center, but the Redskins have almost nothing behind those two. The Redskins exercised their 5th year option on Scherff, who will play the year on a $12.525M one-year contract. The Redskins no doubt want to lock Scherff up to a long-term deal, but will have the option to franchise tag him if a deal can’t be worked out. Because tagging players turns out so well for the Redskins.
Roullier is on his rookie contract through 2020. You can expect the Redskins to extend him next offseason. The 2017 sixth round pick is one of the few late-round home run picks for the team in recent years.
Tyler Catalina, the 2017 undrafted free agent, spent the season on injured reserve but is signed on a minimum salary deal through 2019. Kyle Fuller, the mid-season injury emergency pickup, was horrible in limited action, but is also under contract through 2019.
As an added bonus, the only player who can back up Roullier at center is Tony Bergstrom, who is an unrestricted free agent.
The Redskins clearly need tons of help here. This position group is not NFL-worthy at this juncture. Expect the Redskins to both sign multiple free agents and spend a fairly high draft pick on a guard.
Wide Receivers
Unrestricted Free Agents: Jamison Crowder, Michael Floyd
Restricted Free Agents: Maurice Harris
2019 Projected Starters: Josh Doctson, Paul Richardson, Jr.
The wide receiver group is another one that suffers from a lack of talent. Josh Doctson, the team’s 2016 first round pick, has had occasional flashes here and there but is shaping up to be a bust in comparison to his draft status. He’s signed through 2019, but the team holds an option on Doctson for the 2020 season. He will count as a $3.197M cap hit in 2019.
Paul Richardson, Jr., was the Redskins’ big free agent pick up last year. His contract runs through the 2022 season. He has a $7.5M cap hit in 2019, and the team would lose $1.5M if he were cut this offseason, which isn’t going to happen (the penalty could be spread over the 2019 and 2020 seasons if he were cut using the post-June 1 rules).
Robert Davis, the 2017 sixth round pick who spent the entire year on injured reserve, is signed to a minimum salary deal through 2019.
Trey Quinn, Mr. Irrelevant himself who is a hero and future hall of famer in the hearts and minds of fans everywhere but who spent most the year on injured reserve, is signed on his rookie contract through 2021. Cam Sims, the undrafted free agent out of Alabama who also spent the year on injured reserve, is signed to his rookie deal through 2021. Darvin Kidsy and Jehu Chesson were mid-season injury call-ups from the practice squad and are both signed to minimum salary contracts through 2019. The Redskins also signed a couple of interesting prospects to futures contracts last week, Carlos Henderson and ArDarius Stewart, so those two will have a chance to compete.
At a bare minimum, the Redskins need a starting slot receiver. They should try and re-sign Crowder to a reasonable deal, but if they get priced out of his market, they’ll have to look elsewhere. As much as fans think Trey Quinn is the second coming of Ricky Sanders, it’s possible that the team looks to free agency to bring in an established veteran for that position. This position group suffers from a massive lack of talent and is probably one of the least-regarded groups in the NFL. They need significant help in this area. The Redskins would be wise to look to the draft to find an athletic playmaker with speed, which they have lacked since the departure of Desean Jackson.
Tight Ends
Free Agents: None
2019 Projected Starter: Jordan Reed
Long-time starter Jordan Reed, the Pro Bowler and lifetime platinum-level member of the Injury Club, is signed through 2021 and will have a cap hit of $9.721M in 2019, and would be a savings of $6.121M if cut.
The ageless wonder, Vernon Davis, is in year two of a three year deal that expires at the end of the 2019 season. He’ll have a $6.3M cap hit next season and be a $5M savings if cut. 2017 draft pick Jeremy Sprinkle is signed to his rookie contract through 2020. Undrafted free agents Matt Flanagan, J.P. Holtz, and Manasseh Garner (who spent the year on injured reserve) are each signed to minimum deals through 2019.
Jay Gruden clearly really likes Reed, so the Redskins will probably continue to roll with him at the top of the depth chart in spite of the fact that he’s never played a full 16 game season in his six year career. On the other hand, this year’s draft is chock full of outstanding tight end prospects, so it’s not totally crazy to think that Washington drafts one this year, Reed and Davis notwithstanding. If the front office was willing to made a bold power move, the team could create a ton of cap space by finding a replacement starter for Reed in the draft and putting one of their existing young prospects in the TE2 slot in place of Davis. ***wakes up from fantasy***
Running backs
Unrestricted Free Agents: Adrian Peterson
Restricted Free Agents: Rob Kelley, Byron Marshall
2019 Projected Starter: Derrius Guice
Last year’s second round pick, Derrius Guice, should return from his torn ACL for year 2 of his rookie deal that runs through 2021.
Chris Thompson is in year 2 of a contract that expires after the 2019 season. He has a $4M cap hit in 2019 and would be a $3M savings if cut.
2017 draft pick Samaje Perine is signed to his rookie deal through 2020.
At a bare minimum, the Redskins need a fourth running back and some training camp competition, so look for the team to either bring back Kelley and/or Marshall, both of whom remain under team control as Restricted Free Agents, or another free agent. The best thing the Redskins could do is make Adrian Peterson, the future Hall of Famers and probable 2018 team MVP, a good enough offer to entice him to return, Guice or no Guice.
Specialists
Free Agents: None
2019 Projected Starters: Dustin Hopkins, Nick Sundberg, Tress Way
Hopkins, Sundberg, and Way are all signed through 2020. Interestingly, the Redskins signed Andrew East, who was Nick Sundberg’s replacement at long snapper when he went to injured reserve, through the 2019 season. Sundberg will be entering his tenth NFL season, has a cap hit of $1.082M, and disclosed the fact that he has herniated and bulging discs in his back, which have since been surgically repaired. East is on a minimum value contract. He’s clearly a hedge against Sundberg’s health, but he also could possibly be a young, cheaper long-term replacement irrespective of Sundberg’s back.
Conclusion
The biggest needs heading into the offseason are, in no particular order, safety, guard, wide receiver, and quarterback, all of which currently lack starters, but there really isn’t a position group on this team that is set and doesn’t need help, so expect a very busy offseason.