Trent Williams to Washington?
Secretly, many Washington Football Team fans wish for a reunion with the left tackle. Come on – Bruce Allen was fired. The left tackle might even need major introductions around the team's facility. You miss one year in Ashburn and everything changes.
After holding out in 2019, Williams forced a trade to San Francisco for the final season of his deal. But, the 2010 first-rounder is free once more and always said his exit had nothing to do with owner Dan Snyder. So, prove it.
Come back, Silverback. All is forgiven.
When NFL free agency begins on Wednesday, Washington will seek a quarterback, receiver, cornerback, safety, tight end and left tackle. It will be lucky to get one prominent player and Williams is the biggest long shot to come, partly because the 49ers are planning a big move to keep him. After all, Williams played well after a year off gave an oft-injured body some time to heal. Plus, Washington can't afford a $20 million left tackle after franchising right guard Brandon Scherff for $18 million.
Most likely, Washington gives 2020 fourth-rounder Saahdiq Charles one more chance after suffering three injuries while playing two snaps as a rookie. But, Cornelius Lucas played well in the latter part of the season once starting. He should be the first option.
After all, that $20 million for Williams will be better spent on a passer. If Washington gets the quarterback position right, it can become a major contender by 2023. But, blowing it means a three-year setback and wasting a prime defense that by then will have scattered through free agency, injuries and age. The window for Washington to contend via the defense is limited so the offense needs to catch up now.
Quarterback choices may depend on who is released by Wednesday. If Las Vegas cuts Marcus Mariota, he's wearing burgundy by sundown. Same goes for Carolina and Teddy Bridgewater. If the New York Jets are willing to take a third-rounder for Sam Darnold, he's throwing passes to Terry McLaurin. There's always Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick, too. It's a good year to find a stopgap quarterback.
But, Plan B needs to be drafting a passer by the second round. There are six top quarterbacks to be considered as Washington kicks every tire of an 18-wheeler trying to get this pick right. At No. 19, there doesn't seem a fit. The selection probably goes for a linebacker. But, the second-round has possibilities in North Dakota State's Trey Lance, though Washington would probably need to move up. Alabama's Mac Jones could be effective. Watch out for Florida's Kyle Trask.
Somehow, Washington needs to pick a passer in Round 2 unless there's a receiver just too good to pass on. Then the third round is a must for a quarterback.
But, Washington can sign a free agent receiver to mitigate needing to draft one so high. Pittsburgh's JuJu Smith-Schuster seems to have all his stuff in a moving van just waiting to enter an address into the GPS. This is a real marquee opportunity for Washington. But, any top receiver will ask who's throwing the ball and Washington can only shrug and talk about what a great playoff game Taylor Heinicke delivered. If Washington can grab a free agent passer quickly, maybe it can convince a top receiver to come, too.
So many possibilities, so much salary cap space and yet it's still not enough to solve all of Washington's free agency needs.
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks.
