Washington Redskins' Biggest Needs in Free Agency and NFL Draft

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Forgive the pun, but the Washington Redskins received one of the worst breaks in recent memory when Alex Smith broke his tibia and fibula in Week 11. The Redskins are likely heading into the 2019-20 NFL season without a franchise quarterback, and after going 7-9 last year, it's clear this team has holes all over the roster.

Unfortunately, the Redskins did not do a great job of addressing their needs during the first wave of free agency, as most feel they massively overpaid for Landon Collins. With that said, let's break down the Redskins' most pressing needs in free agency and the 2019 NFL Draft.

First off, Washington needs a realistic plan at quarterback. After the injury, Smith's future is murky, and the Redskins acquired Case Keenum from the Denver Broncos precisely because of that uncertainty. Unfortunately, Keenum was average at best in Denver, throwing for just 3,890 yards and 18 touchdowns. Keenum should be viewed as a one-year starter, but the Redskins need to acquire a young quarterback in case Smith never returns to his former self.

Thankfully, the Redskins have a plethora of options here. Washington could use the No. 15 selection on Missouri's Drew Lock, or the Redskins could wait and hope he falls out of the first round. West Virginia's Will Grier could be another option in the second round, but their best course of action could also be a trade.

If the Arizona Cardinals use the No. 1 overall selection on Kyler Murray, like many are speculating they will, Washington should do everything in its power to trade for Josh Rosen. While Rosen was a huge disappointment in his rookie season, he was playing behind a dreadful Cardinals' offensive line, and he was throwing to one of the worst skill-position groups in the NFL. If Rosen becomes available, a second-round pick seems like a fair deal.

However, as mentioned above, it's tough to evaluate a quarterback if he's playing behind a shaky offensive line, and the Redskins' line was ravaged by injuries last season. At the very least, Washington should add depth as an insurance policy in case they get hurt again, but an upgrade on the interior would be worthwhile as well.

Because offensive line play is so important, there aren't many names worth targeting in free agency, but there are a ton of solid prospects in the draft. NC State's Garrett Bradbury might be a bit of a reach at No. 15, but putting a premium on the offensive line is rarely a bad idea, especially after what happened last season. On the other hand, Boston College's Chris Lindstrom could be a good fit in the second round.

As for the defense, Washington needs to find a pass rusher to play opposite of Ryan Kerrigan after losing Preston Smith in free agency. With Kerrigan and a strong core on the interior of the defensive line, Washington could have one of the most dynamic pass rushes in football if it picks up the right player.

Ezekiel Ansah could be a great fit on a one-year deal to prove himself, and someone like Adrian Clayborn could provide excellent depth. As for the draft, Mississippi State's Montez Sweat or Michigan's Rashan Gary would be great selections if they fall to No. 15, but Florida State's Brian Burns is much more likely to be there.

Finally, the Redskins should look to upgrade their interior linebackers. Washington took a flier on former San Francisco 49ers' linebacker Reuben Foster, but with his litany of off-field issues, he's unlikely to make an impact next season. NaVorro Bowman could provide some depth, but they need a little more speed at the position.

Michigan's Devin Bush has plenty of speed, and he'd be a great pick with the No. 15 selection. The Redskins could also target Alabama linebacker Mack Wilson in the second round.

Overall, if this defense rounds out some holes, it could be one of the league's top units next season. But if Washington can't find stability at quarterback or on the offensive line, the Redskins won't be contending any time soon.

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Max Staley is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Max Staley also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username mstaley1212. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.