The Washington Redskins are in for some major changes in 2015 and with Scot McCloughan coming in, names like Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree could be free agent targets due to his connections with the 49ers and this comes as he could consider a trade for Jay Cutler, although he has said that RG3 needs more time to develop for head coach Jay Gruden.
The Redskins finished another season in the bottom of the NFC East and that is why they brought in McCloughan to take over as GM. Bruce Allen did a terrible job and never had any penalty for it and now McCloughan will try and build things like he helped to do in San Francisco and Seattle. According to Pro Football Talk, Redskins fans should not be surprised if McCloughan goes after names like Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Ahmad Brooks, Michael Crabtree or Mike Iupati, as he has deep connections with the 49ers.
McCloughan has praised Gore heavily over the years and many think he will try and sign him if the Niners let him go. The Redskins could use a solid backup to Alfred Morris and Gore has shown that he still has plenty left in the tank. The Niners have Carlos Hyde and are likely ready to give him a starting role and that means Gore could sign elsewhere. Crabtree is another option, while Iupati is also a free agent and could be a target. Cutler could also be a potential move, as the Redskins nearly traded for him before he went to the Bears.
Brooks and Davis are not on the market and are not heading there, but many think they could be cap casualties and that could set up the Redskins as an option for either player. The Redskins had another tough season in the first year for Jay Gruden and while there were some rumors that he could be fired or that RG3 could be traded, McCloughan put some water on those rumors and now he is looking to improve heading into 2015. CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco wrote after the season that Gore likely will be an option for the Redskins, as he is not likely to return to the 49ers and will be targeted by McCloughan.
The Redskins offense was a mess for most of last season and the team ended up 4-12 and in the bottom of the division. The team now expects some major improvements and McCloughan is expected to build the team through the draft and smart free agent acquisitions. People have been saying that for a decade in DC, but he has the past resume to show that he can build a roster. Morris needs a backup and Gore could be a very good improvement over Roy Helu, while Iupati could be a strong option on the offensive line.
Last season Robert Griffin was hounded by a porous offensive line and adding a player like Iupati would be a huge improvement. Last season the team ended up 19th in rushing yards per game and adding Gore could help that. The team also dealt with injuries at the tight end position and if Davis is released, they could get him on a bargain, as he had a down season. Davis of course played his college ball in Maryland and could be a fit.
