The Redskins have lessened the need for a young quarterback by trading for veteran Alex Smith, who is 34, from the Kansas City Chiefs. Their mishandling of Kirk Cousins, is coming to an end. They could still franchise tag Cousins to trade him, though. Cousins is a big free agent and could wind up in one of the places that I have taking a quarterback, like the New York Jets, for example.
Cousins could also opt to go to a contender, like Arizona, Jacksonville, or Minnesota, if he were willing to take a slightly reduced salary if he is released. Either way, he is likely gone from Washington.
So, let’s switch to the defense. The Redskins need to plug the middle after giving up an NFL worst 134 yards per game on the ground. Both Da’Ron Payne and Vita Vea, two defensive tackles, are available here. Vea, the University of Washington product, is the bigger player, but Payne, Alabama, is considered the better athlete.
Payne is 6-2, 308 pounds, is strong at the point of attack and moves well in a phone booth. Payne has the thick lower body and strength to anchor as a run-stopper. It is an almost ideal situation for Washington. The ‘Bama tackle isn’t much of a pass-rush threat, which is why he’s not a Top 10 pick.