Secondary is a Primary

concern going into the offseason. How do we rebuild? Who do we keep or get rid of? What players do we bring in? We go through free agency or draft? We are limited but the cap penalty, but they are ways to still add talent to a unit that was inconsistent at best. Yes adding Orakpo and AC on the pass rush will help but I think we come back with a couple new starters. What sayth the mob as one poster used to say…

CB

I think the number issue facing us is what to do with D Hall. He’s another year older and has a massive cap number that if we cut we pay a limited penalty. Id say its time to move on. No restructure, no moving to safety.

Josh Wilson was inconsistent but in the last year of his contract with a relative small number. Id say let him play out the contract. He still can come up with big plays.

Crawford and Minnifield need to continue to develop. Keep both around for the 4 and 5th CB positions.

Id say we use FA to bring in another guy at a affordable contract. Sam Shields and Leo McKelvin could be two guys worth giving a look too. McKelvin been mentioned by SS, think its not a bad add. Shields decent, he can cover the slot receiver pretty well.

I also use the 2nd round pick on a player like Trufant, Poyer, or Rhodes. Let’m compete for a starter position or at least the slot. Gives us someone else young to develop before Wilson leaves next year.

Safety

I believe we should keep Merrieweather around another year at Strong Safety. We saw a glimpse and he played very well in the preseason and the 1 game I believe he started. Reed D played his ass off this year, mos def the best Ive ever seen him play. He’s under contract and we should let’m stick around. I think Gomes and Bernstein also are safety options but see both as Strong and not Free. One should be able to stick and contribute on special teams.

Free Safety needs an obvious upgrade. Id look to the draft here. The safety position is deeper than Kim K’s…Its really amazing. Reid, Swearinger, Rambo, Cyprien, Jefferson, Duke, Thomas etc. it goes on and on. Take the 3rd round pick and grab someone. M Williams is done, T Jax is done. If we need someone else, Id look at roster cuts and bring someone in at an affordable price.

Whats your plan?

I think it would be too risky to cut Hall. We're just too thin in the DB to let him go. I also think he played better football during our playoff run.

We need to keep Josh Wilson, as well.

There is no way I would plan to put the FS position in the hands of a rookie to start the season. If we were to sign a FA corner and no FA FS, then I'd look to move DHall to FS and back him up with a good rookie who might be able to take over later in the season, if necessary.

And I would definitely draft both a CB and a FS.

Good thread

I'd sign Corey lynch and the Miami safety in FA (see what grimes asks for; if its ridiculous no) sign leodis mckelvin to a cheap prove it deal.

I'd draft cyprien , baccari Rambo, Leon McFadden, and mathieu.

And yes we can get all those guys

Good thread

I'd sign Corey lynch and the Miami safety in FA (see what grimes asks for; if its ridiculous no) sign leodis mckelvin to a cheap prove it deal.

I'd draft cyprien , baccari Rambo, Leon McFadden, and mathieu.

And yes we can get all those guys

Well let's hope they would be willing to sign for cheap. And hopefully the skins keep drafting well.

I feel like I've seen this thread before

DJ Swearinger whether it be in the 2nd or 3rd. Thats who I want starting at FS for us next year. He flys around like very few. I keep Hall and draft a cb as well preferably Trufant or Rhodes.

According to draft guru Mel Kiper, ihe Redskins will draft Phillip Thomas out of Fresno State at FS. He lead the NCAA division I free safeties in the interceptions category with 8. He's in the mold of Sean Taylor and Ed Reed and a real ball hawk. He's a very underrated player because Fresno State isn't a powerhouse program. But the Redskins can't let him get away.

I'm pretty sure I remember D Hall saying he was willing to restructure his contract to stay with the Skins. I know a lot of fans have a love/hate relationship with the guy, but the fact is we don't have a lot of depth in the secondary and he has played well enough IMO to warrant him sticking around provided we can renegotiate his contract. I think it also helps that he could, if needed, be able to play safety. That gives us flexibility. Not every CB can move to safety.

I wondered if we would take a look at George Wilson. Heard this morning on the radio he has meetings lined up with the Titans and Lions.

I just dont think Hall showed me anything when he did play FS this year. I do remember him getting killed in the slot against the Rams. Ive been a D Hall supporter in the past, I just think its time. I think we can get a more consistent player at both FS and CB with the entire amount of his next year salary (8 mil?).

Mentioned above is letting a rookie man the FS position. I share that concern too, and thats why Id bring in a roster cut/vet to provide leadership at that position to help the transition. M. Williams was ok at times, but we should be able to get a better player for that role.

Of the draft prospects mentioned above:

Baccari Rambo, probably 3rd Round, Cyprien 4-5, McFadden 4-5. I have no idea where Mathieu might be drafted. All are good players, IMO.

I'm very high on both DJ Swearinger and Phillip Thomas. I'd say 5th round for Swearinger and probably 3rd round for Thomas.

As far as the draft is concerned, I think this is a bountiful year for safeties and corners but most of them need some time to develop. It would certainly help the Skins to stock up on 2-3. For now, we just need to sign a FA to start at FS. Then, as the rookies develop, they can challenge for more playing time.