Dancing with Yourself
October 19, 2019
by Jay Evans
The Redskins are in the win column. They have an undefeated coach, are only two games out of first place in the NFC East, and are a legit sleeper with an opportunity to beat the last remaining undefeated team in the NFC. Unfortunately, nothing else is new.
The Redskins still have turmoil in the front office, are uncommitted to Dwayne Haskins, and in this lost season, the last chance to improve the team is quickly approaching. They have until October 29th trade deadline to receive quality compensation for their assets.
San Francisco is coming off an emotionally lifting trouncing of the defending NFC champion Los Angeles Rams and now face the one-win Redskins in a true trap game. The unpredictability of football could lead to a stunning upset as a reinvigorated Redskin team could beat the 49ers.
Chances of a Redskins victory are slim and San Francisco is favored on the road by 10 points. The 49ers have been a complete juggernaut. They currently own the third best offense and second-best defense in yards per game. The 49ers rushing attack ranks second overall, averaging 179.8 yards per game, and their pass defense ranks first overall, allowing a paltry 150.2 yards per game.
There is a recent history between the Redskins and the 49ers head coach, which could turn into a statement game against the beleaguered D.C. franchise. Former Redskins offensive coordinator turned 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan threw shade at his experience in Washington this week.
Regardless of the outcome, the Redskins remain in contention for a top five pick in the 2020 draft, and acquiring as many assets from contending teams willing to part with picks has to be a priority for the Redskins.
The trade for Montez Sweat in last April’s draft was universally praised. The Redskins traded their second-round selection, forty-sixth overall, from the 2019 draft and a second-round pick in the upcoming draft to the Indianapolis Colts for the twenty-sixth overall pick.
Sweat, initially a consensus top 10 pick, fell in the draft due to concerns about a heart condition (which turned out to be a false diagnosis). The cost of the 2020 second-round pick to move up twenty picks in the draft was reasonable at the time, but the absence of second round pick in the upcoming draft looks worse now.
In Ashburn, preseason expectations for the Redskins season had the team battling for a playoff spot which would have had the second-round selection somewhere in the mid-to-late forties, but currently the pick is slotted in the top five of the second round and looks to be around a 35th overall selection.
Recouping as much draft capital as possible before the October 29th trading deadline is the best opportunity the Redskins have to salvage this revolting season. The roster is loaded with aging veterans who should be openly shopped. The Redskins should be willing to part with any player who is not in the long-term plan for the franchise and can fetch an early round selection.
President Bruce Allen negotiates the trades for the Redskins. He was responsible for not trading Kirk Cousins and subjectively drawing out Cousins’ contract status with consecutive franchise tags. Cousins walked and the Redskins’ only compensation was a third-round compensation pick in last year’s draft.
The Alex Smith trade was another trade executed by Bruce Allen when he flipped a third-round pick from the 2019 draft and 2017 third-round cornerback, Kendall Fuller, for the former number one overall pick. Last season, Allen traded a fourth-round selection for middling former first-round selection Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
After decades of minimal movement at the trade deadline, the NFL is embracing the trade culture that has dominated midseason activity in the MLB, NHL, and NBA. On Tuesday, the Rams traded their next two first round picks and a fourth for All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey as the Sean McVay-led Rams are fully invested in the now.
Trent Williams is the most enticing candidate on the trade market. Reports have varied and as many as a dozen teams have contacted the Redskins about Trent. The Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Houston Texans, and Minnesota Vikings have all shown interest in Trent, but they all are strongly in playoff contention and the best possible first-round selection would be in the late twenties.
On the other hand, the Browns are ripe to make a statement and reportedly have strong interest in Trent. When Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey was asked about the interest in Trent, he said, “it takes two to tango.” In true Redskins fashion, the Browns acquired many high-profile players this offseason after showing promise last season with 2018 number one pick Baker Mayfield. Cleveland began the season with Super Bowl aspirations, but have managed to win two games and are quickly spiraling out of playoff contention.
The Browns wreak of desperation. Trent could always be traded in the offseason, but currently his value is at its highest. According to sources, Dorsey and the Browns are willing to risk trading a top pick that could be as high as top ten or in the early twenties next April.
In another three months, teams will know their order in the draft, but teams will be reluctant to part with a top ten pick at that time. If the Browns are offering any package of picks close to the Ramsey trade, Bruce should be willing to drive Trent himself to John Dorsey’s house with a plate of Dawg Pound biscuits in hand.
The Redskins should refuse to take any players in this trade. They don’t need another team’s trash to bolster the trade value. At a minimum, a first and an additional selection in the top three rounds would suffice for the 31-year old tackle.
Bruce Allen is not afraid of trades, but similar to his boss, he’ll refuse to look weak. Bruce has steadfastly refused to admit any interest in trading Trent. The Redskins could recoup a massive haul for the perennial Pro Bowl tackle and accelerate the rebuild in the offseason. Instead, he will be left standing along the gym wall dancing with himself when the deejay plays the slow song.