From Mike Jones:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/football-insider/wp/2017/03/07/redskins-show-little-early-activity-as-nfl-free-agency-begins/?utm_term=.89097c491038
Lots of "morsels" in there:
-- Garcon likely gone to 49ers
-- Thinking of signing Dontario Poe and remaining in base 3-4 D
-- Chris Thompson and Will Compton given FA tenders
-- Splashes cold water on the "KC is traded to 49ers done deal" rumors
-- Skins seek DLine help.
More below:
The NFL’s free agent negotiation period begins Tuesday at noon ET, with the signing period starting Thursday at 4 p.m. ET. Throughout it all The Post’s reporters will bring you the latest updates on Washington’s free agent targets — both in-house and external — and break down what their arrivals — and departures — mean for the Redskins moving forward.
The post will be updated regularly. Please check back and refresh the page for updates.
The latest
The Redskins made their first move overnight, with more action possible today. Here’s what we know right now.
Pierre Garcon to sign big-money deal with 49ers
Reports indicate Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon will be heading to the San Francisco 49ers on a heavily front-loaded contract.
When Pierre Garcon finalizes deal with 49ers, as expected, league sources believe he will make $16 million in first year.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport)
March 8, 2017
The Redskins and the receiver were expected to part ways and there was strong interest from the 49ers to acquire Garcon, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation. New 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan was the main reason why Garcon signed with Washington from Indianapolis in 2012.
Redskins reportedly taking a look at Dontari Poe
The Washington Redskins will still incorporate a base 3-4 defense under defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, but they’re looking for versatile defensive linemen. NFL teams are typically in a 4-3 defense when they’re in the nickel, a subpackage that defenses are in for the majority of the game in today’s pass-happy NFL.
That would mean that along with seeking a nose tackle and a four-technique defensive end in a traditional 3-4 defense, the Redskins would need defensive linemen that can play as one-technique and three-technique when lined up in the 4-3 as well.
The Redskins are reportedly interested in defensive tackle Dontari Poe, per CBS Sports. He would be a great addition for their defensive line as a prototypical nose tackle with the ability to play the one-technique in the nickel. Washington has struggled over the last few seasons to find a nose tackle it can keep on the field for all three downs, but Poe would serve as a significant upgrade with the versatility needed at the position.
Poe, 26, spent all five NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and has proven to be very durable throughout his career, missing just two career games. He had 27 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks, three passes defended and a forced fumble in 2016.
Chris Thompson, Will Compton extended free agent tenders
With Thursday’s 4 p.m. deadline looming, the Washington Redskins announced on Wednesday that they have extended running back Chris Thompson and inside linebacker Will Compton their restricted free agent tenders.
Both players can still negotiate with other teams, but Washington reserves the right to match any offers within seven days. If the Redskins do not match the deal they would receive compensation in the form of the draft pick tender that they placed on Thompson and/or Compton Wednesday. It wasn’t immediately known what tender the team placed on either player.
Coaches spoke highly of both players throughout the season, and both players departed for the offseason having received the impression that they would be retained. But the team hadn’t made a move or communicated with either as of Tuesday evening. But then came the announcement on Wednesday.
Thompson was considered one of the better third-down backs in the league last season when he averaged 5.2 yards per carry and 7.1 yards per catch and scored five touchdowns (three rushing, two receiving). Coaches also view him as a valuable leader of his position group.
Compton, meanwhile, was Washington’s second-leading tackler (128 in 2016) and served as the quarterback of the defense and was described by coaches and teammates as a coach on the field.
There’s no Kirk Cousins-to-the-Niners deal
Not sure how it picked up steam, but a source said there's no truth to a Kirk Cousins-49ers trade being "all but done."
#Redskins
— Master Tesfatsion (@MasterTes)
March 8, 2017
If you were holding your breath, you can stop now. This doesn’t mean Cousins will not be traded, however and Washington could weigh his trade value throughout the offseason, even as it attempts to get him under a long-term contract.
Redskins re-sign Vernon Davis to three-year deal
After a fairly quiet Tuesday, the Redskins re-signed tight end Vernon Davis to a three-year, $15-million deal in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.
Davis announced the news via Snapchat, and a person with knowledge of the situation revealed the financial terms to The Washington Post.
The Redskins had long hoped to re-sign the 33-year-old Davis, who last season revived his career after joining his hometown team. Davis had 44 catches for 583 yards and two touchdowns and also served as a valuable run-blocker. (
Read More)
Washington shopping for help on the D-line
The Redskins are in the market for defensive linemen. The Redskins have also expressed interest in defensive tackle Lawrence Guy, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The 26-year-old spent the last three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. He recorded 28 combined tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in 16 games (10 starts) in 2016. NFL.com listed him as the eighth best interior pass rusher last year, averaging 4.24 yards to the quarterback.
Listed at 6-4, 305 pounds, Guy had his best season in 2015 when he recorded a career-high 4.5 sacks in 16 games (six starts). Washington’s interest in Guy falls in line with the team’s approach to seek out second-tier players at the start of free agency for the second straight offseason. The team is also reportedly interested in Cowboys free agent Terrell McClain.
Redskins, Jackson and Garcon still expected to part ways
Along with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys also have inquired about wide receiver DeSean Jackson, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it’s expected that the Redskins and Jackson will part ways, multiple people with knowledge of the situation have indicated.
Should he land with the Bucs, Jackson would join an offense with quarterback Jameis Winston and Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans.
Meanwhile, Pierre Garcon still is also expected to wind up elsewhere. The favorite to land the services of the 30-year-old Garcon: Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers. Shanahan was the main reason Garcon signed with Washington from Indianapolis in 2012. The Rams, the Bears and Eagles also have been linked to Garcon, but San Francisco is believed to have the strongest chance of landing him.
Could Marquise Goodwin be Redskins’ new deep threat?
The Redskins have expressed interest in wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation. With Jackson’s departure imminent, Washington will be lacking a deep threat on its roster to open up the middle of the field for tight end Jordan Reed and wide receiver Jamison Crowder. The Redskins would gain that in Goodwin, a track and field athlete that qualified for the 2012 U.S. Olympic team in the long jump. Goodwin set a personal best in the 60-meter dash at 6.67 seconds last year during the U.S. indoor track and field championships.
Goodwin, 26, has spent all four NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills and recorded a career-high 29 catches for 431 receiving yards in 15 games (nine starts) last season. He averaged 14.9 yards per reception to go along with three touchdowns.
Scot McCloughan not at Redskins Park for start of free agent negotiations
The GM’s absence from the team continues after not attending last week’s NFL Scouting Combine. (
Read More)
Mailbag: How free agency impacts Kirk Cousins trade talk
As free agent QBs come off the board, there may be increased demand for Cousins before the draft. (
Read More)
Keeping their own
Last year, the Redskins locked up a number of their own players before free agency began, this year they started with Vernon Davis, but have otherwise been quiet thus far.
The Redskins tendered offensive linemen Ty Nsekhe and Vinston Painter, both exclusive rights free agents, last week, but they haven’t done much else at this point. While there have been conversations as of late between with wide receivers Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, they are both expected to hit the market with free agency opens Thursday. And as noted above, there is heavy early interest in Jackson.
The Redskins want to bring defensive lineman Chris Baker, but he could be out of their price range as other suitors are expected to make a run at him this week.
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Washington also has two restricted free agents, linebacker Will Compton and running back Chris Thompson, that it would like to bring back in 2017.
The market at large
The Redskins will be eyeing a number of second-tier free agents this offseason. They will be in the market for a defensive tackle and expressed interest in defensive lineman Terrell McClain, who spent the last three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. McClain started 15 games last year and finished with 40 total tackles, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He has the versatility to play the zero, one and three-technique positions as an interior lineman.
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Lawrence Guy could also be a target, as noted above, according to sources.
Washington could also look to add another wide receiver at a more affordable price than what Garcon and Jackson will receive. In addition to the interest in Marquise Goodwin, mentioned earlier, it has expressed interest in wide receiver Andre Holmes, who has been on the Oakland Raiders for the last four seasons. Holmes had 14 catches for 126 receiving yards in 16 games (two starts) last year with three touchdowns.