New York Giants

Washington Redskins: Johnathan Hankins Should Be Signed

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:44 p.m. ET

Fansided, Bryan Manning/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

The Washington Redskins have a huge hole in the middle of their defensive line, but signing 24-year-old free agent Johnathan Hankins would fill it.

What in the world happened to Johnathan Hankins? That's the question many NFL teams and fans would like to know as the talented defensive tackle—formerly of the New York Giants—is still without a team two weeks into free agency.

A report from Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper last week indicated that Hankins was looking for an average annual salary of at least $10 million per year. Of course, teams are reluctant to fork that type of cash over to defensive tackles who can't rush the passer. Hankins isn't a pass-rusher, as his 10 careers sacks in four seasons would indicate, although he did record seven sacks back in 2014, his second year in the NFL.

Hurting Hankins even more, we are two weeks removed from free agency and most teams have reached their spending limits and will now either look toward the draft to fill an immediate need or continue to monitor bargain-basement finds in free agency. Also, after the draft teams will cut some veterans loose, putting some talented options back into free agency before training camp. So, unless Hankins lowers his asking price, he could still sit free for awhile.

Enter the Washington Redskins.

Washington had one of the worst defensive lines in the NFL in 2016 and allowed its top lineman, Chris Baker, to depart in free agency. The Redskins did sign Stacy McGee and Terrell McClain, but both players project to play defensive end in Washington's 3-4 scheme. The Redskins still need a true nose tackle.

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Hankins, who turns 25 next week, would be an ideal fit for the Redskins as the NFL Draft approaches. He would allow the Redskins to truly focus on the best player available instead of forcing a pick on a defensive lineman. And Hankins could either settle for a one-year deal, similar to what Bennie Logan and Dontari Poe did, or sign a two-year deal so Washington can backload some of the cash. And he would still be able to enter the free-agent market again in his mid-20s.

The Redskins simply cannot go into training camp with Kedric Golston, Phil Taylor, A.J. Francis and Joey Mbu as their options at nose tackle. Golston, a longtime Redskins hasn't been a regular in years, nor is he suited to play nose at this stage of his career. Taylor, a former first-round pick, hasn't played since 2014. Anything the team gets from him is a bonus. Mbu and Francis are both young players and were on Washington's practice squad in 2016.

In four years in the NFL, Hankins has played in a total of 52 games. He missed seven games in 2015 due to a torn pectoral muscle. He has 41 career starts, all coming in the last three years.

According to Spotrac, the Redskins have over $16 million in cap space remaining for 2017. More cash can easily be freed up simply by restructuring DeAngelo Hall's contract or releasing him and signing him to a cheaper deal.

In signing Hankins, the Redskins would fill a gaping hole in the middle of their defensive line, while weakening a division rival at the same time. The Giants wanted Hankins back, but with expensive long-term deals locked in with Jason Pierre-Paul, Damon Harrison and Olivier Vernon, his return to New York isn't likely unless he signs a cheaper one-year deal.

This isn't your old Redskins. Gone are the days of owner Daniel Snyder bringing every free agent into Redskins Park and not letting them leave. Team president Bruce Allen has taken a more frugal approach in free agency in recent years with the exception of cornerback Josh Norman.

Hankins is worth the investment. It's past time for Washington to call Hankins and offer him $5 million, plus incentives in 2017, and lock him up to improve a below-average unit. As it currently stands, the Redskins have no chance of stopping the Dallas Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliot. Hankins would certainly help their chances.