The Washington Redskins have hit reset again by hiring general manager Scot McCloughan and as he takes over personnel into 2015, names like Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and Ahmad Brooks could be potential targets if they all hit the market, as McCloughan previously was with the 49ers and this comes as RG3 may end up staying with the Redskins over a potential trade with Kirk Cousins.
The Redskins finished the season in last place in the NFC East again after hiring Jay Gruden and he is hoping for a bounce back year in 2015. According to ESPN.com, the Redskins opted to hire McCloughan over other candidates due to his extensive background in player personnel and scouting and they expect him to engineer a turnaround for the franchise. Bruce Allen has not done a good job in his position over the past few years and now McCloughan gets the chance to take over.
Pro Football Talk and Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area report that McCloughan may look at targeting some free agents and potential released players for the 49ers come the offseason. Frank Gore is set to be a free agent for the Niners this year and at his age they may let him go to another team. McCloughan has spoken glowingly of Gore in the past and he could be a target, while both Davis and Brooks could end up getting released and if that happens, McCloughan is likely to target them as well.
Davis had an injury plagued season that left him with some of the worst stats in his career, while Brooks has had his share of issues and is on the books for over $7 million, which could make him a potential cap casualty. Davis had a down season with just 245 yards receiving and that was a career low and with him turning 31 into next season on a near $5 million salary, he could be out of San Francisco.
Gore comes in after having another strong season, but now that he is 31 his production is likely to tail off at least a little bit. The Niners have Carlos Hyde and may feel comfortable letting Gore go and that could lead to the Redskins signing him with McCloughan taking over. Alfred Morris needs a legitimate backup and Gore is as durable and dependable as they come, as he has played in all 16 games and rushed for at least 1100 yards in each of the last four seasons. Morris has been worked hard over the last two seasons and adding a vet like Gore could be huge for him and for the development of Robert Griffin III. Gore had four touchdowns last season and 1106 yards and that came after he went for 1128 yards and nine scores the year before.
McCloughan drafted Gore back in 2005 in the third round of out Miami and he turned out to be as good of a running back as anyone in the league. McCloughan has said in the past that he thinks Gore could be a professional scout in the future and he could be a prime target in free agency this summer. McCloughan spoke with the media about Robert Griffin already and it appears he is leaning towards giving RG3 more time to develop. McCloughan said Griffin showed some great skills taking the team to the playoffs and that he has the ability to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.
