The Washington Redskins are projected to have a surprisingly high amount of salary cap space for the 2011 offseason. The team could choose to use this spare money to sign one of the biggest names in the 2011 free agent class: cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. The Oakland Raiders standout had his contract voided after this past season because he did not meet certain performance incentives, leaving him as an unrestricted free agent.
Pros: Asomugha is a proven talent and would give the Redskins one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. He's been a Pro Bowler each of the last three seasons, and has been named a First Team All-Pro two of the last three years. For fear of Asomugha, opposing quarterbacks would be more likely to throw the ball at the receiver covered by DeAngelo Hall, who led the team in interceptions last season.
Cons: Opposing quarterbacks would be more likely to throw the ball at the receiver covered by DeAngelo Hall, who has earned his reputation as a ball-hawk while sometimes being too aggressive and giving up big plays to the opposition. Unless the Redskins play against Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears every week, this could be a risk. Asomugha is a classic shut-down corner in man-to-man coverage, but Jim Haslett and the Redskins mostly use zone.
Verdict: In the first year of the Mike Shanahan regime, the Redskins specifically stayed away from signing high-priced free agents. If they choose to do the same this year, Asomugha won't be high on their list of targets.
For more on NFL free agency, visit our StoryStream listing key 2011 NFL free agents the Redskins could target. Also, be sure to check out SB Nation's Redskins blog Hogs Haven.