Here is what you need to know on this Saturday, March 3, 12 days before NFL free agency starts.
The Redskins week that was
Why the Redskins would love a run on QBs in draft's first round—The Redskins saw this dynamic work in their favor in last year’s draft. Teams that may have been interested in taking Jonathan Allen in the early teens traded out to a team that wanted to get a quarterback. That let Allen slide back to pick No. 17. This year, as many as five quarterbacks could go off the board in picks 1-12, a scenario that would leave the Redskins with plenty of quality players in positions of need. And, if only four quarterbacks are off the board, the Redskins could get an opportunity to trade back and collect some more picks from a team desperate to get that fifth QB.
Examining Redskins with uncertain futures on the offensive line—If you think that Ty Nsekhe is going to be with the Redskins in September, you should read this. Although it’s likely, it’s not a sure thing.
What could the Redskins get in a Cravens trade? The answer here is more than a lot of people think and a lot less than others believe. It’s just not practical to think that the Broncos will trade their second-round pick, which is the 40th overall, for a 2016 late-second round pick who is, in terms of both injuries and drama, damaged goods. But they can get more than a ham sandwich. Cravens is talented and, with three years still remaining on his rookie contract, very affordable.
Doug Williams makes clear the plan with Kirk Cousins—I hate to say I told you so. But I told you so. The tag and trade plan went out the window when the Alex Smith deal went through. The time to do that was last year, after the Redskins found out that Cousins was not going to negotiate off of his $24 million franchise tag. But they kept him knowing that signing him for the long term was a pipe dream. Even if they did agree on his value it became apparent that he didn’t want to be in Washington.
Tweet of the Week
This is exactly what you want to say when you want to keep the players. It's also what you say if you desperately want to trade the player and want to make it look like you would be perfectly happy to keep him to maintain his value. https://t.co/lajaeX8tVX
— Rich Tandler (@TandlerNBCS) March 1, 2018
The Cravens situation is very tricky for the Redskins. They need to be willing to keep him on the roster, or at least create the impression that they are, if they are going to get anything in a trade. Gruden, and anyone else involved with the team, must speak carefully.
Stay up to date on the Redskins. Rich Tandler covers the team 365 days a year. Like his Facebook page Facebook.com/TandlerNBCS and follow him on Twitter @TandlerNBCS.
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Timeline
Days until:
—Offseason workouts begin (4/16) 44
—NFL Draft (4/26) 54
—2018 NFL season starts (9/9) 190
In case you missed it
- Supply of running backs in draft should let the Redskins fill their ne...
- Redskins #AuthenticFan Draft Bracket: First Round Results
- What could the Redskins get in a Cravens trade?