Washington Redskins Rumors: Michael Crabtree, Chris Johnson, Pierre Thomas, Hakeem Nicks, Denarius Moore Free Agent Targets For RG3?

Mar 18, 2015 02:28 PM EDT
Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers
Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers completes a pass during warm ups against the Washington Redskins at Levi's Stadium on November 23, 2014 in Santa Clara, California."

The Washington Redskins have been an active team in free agency this year and they could continue looking to add players, as names like Michael Crabtree, Chris Johnson, Pierre Thomas, Hakeem Nicks, Denarius Moore and Steven Jackson could be potential options for Robert Griffin and this comes as RG3 was named the started by head coach Jay Gruden.

The Redskins lost running back Roy Helu in free agency, but they signed a number of solid players on the market, including Terrance Knighton, Stephen Paea, Jeron Johnson and Chris Culliver. The free agent moves were mostly focused on defense and that was by design, as the team was not good on that side of the ball last year. The Redskins brought back Niles Paul and now they could look at adding some depth on offense behind Alfred Morris and DeSean Jackson for Griffin.

The team also decided to bring back Colt McCoy and that means Griffin, Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy will be the three quarterbacks on the roster for 2015. The team reportedly has interest in Marcus Mariota, but Pro Football Talk reports that likely is more about generating trade interest in the number five pick. Mariota could actually be an option for the Redskins if Gruden feels that Griffin is not "his guy" as some have suggested in the media, but it's far more likely the team goes for the best available player.

The Redskins could use a bit more depth at receiver, as they have Jackson and Pierre Garcon as the top players and Andre Roberts as a third option. The team lost Leonard Hankerson and now they could look at players like Michael Crabtree, Hakeem Nicks, Denarius Moore or Wes Welker as depth options.

Crabtree just set up a meeting with the Dolphins and earlier in the offseason ESPN's John Keim on Twitter wrote that he could be a target for the Redskins. Crabtree had 68 catches for 698 yards and was up and down during his career in San Francisco, but he had a great season in 2012 and set career highs in receptions, yards and TDs. Moore and Nicks are cheap options and they are low risk pickups if the team makes the move.

The team also could use some depth at running back after Roy Helu was signed by the Raiders, as Alfred Morris has been worked as much as anyone in the league over the past couple years. Chris Johnson, Pierre Thomas and Steven Jackson are all on the market and they could be cheap veteran options. The Redskins also could look in the draft for a running back, as the class this year at the position is considered deep.

The Redskins come into the offseason after going 4-12 last year and the team was just 2-10 against their conference and 2-4 against the division. The team is now in year two under Jay Gruden and he said at the NFL combine that he thinks the team has a strong enough core to compete for the playoffs. Griffin needs to have a bounce back year after dealing with injuries and poor play, while the defense needs to rebound as well. Gruden is a strong offensive minded coach and if the team stays healthy this year, they could be a factor in the NFC.

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