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5 Players Washington Redskins Must Target In 2016 NFL Free Agency

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The Washington Redskins won a bad NFC East this season, which makes it easy to overlook that they did have a winning record (9-7). The Redskins have multiple needs to fill this offseason though, and here are five free agents they should target.

5. QB Kirk Cousins

QB Kirk Cousins Mitchell Leff Getty Images
Cousins is heading into free agency on the high note of a breakout season for the Redskins, and it seems like a foregone conclusion he'll be back in Washington on a long-term deal. With a mediocre group of signal-callers set to hit free agency, retaining Cousins looks like (and should be) a top offseason priority for the Redskins.

Cousins is heading into free agency on the high note of a breakout season for the Redskins, and it seems like a foregone conclusion he'll be back in Washington on a long-term deal. With a mediocre group of signal-callers set to hit free agency, retaining Cousins looks like (and should be) a top offseason priority for the Redskins.

4. S Reggie Nelson

S Reggie Nelson Gregory Shamus Getty Images
Nelson had a nice contract year, leading the league with eight interceptions, but a big long-term contract looks unlikely since he'll turn 33 soon after the 2016 season starts. The Redskins clearly need safety help, and they should be in the mix for Nelson if a short-term deal is workable.

Nelson had a nice contract year, leading the league with eight interceptions, but a big long-term contract looks unlikely since he'll turn 33 soon after the 2016 season starts. The Redskins clearly need safety help, and they should be in the mix for Nelson if a short-term deal is workable.

3. RB Lamar Miller

RB Lamar Miller Chris Trotman Getty Images
Assuming Alfred Morris is not re-signed, the Redskins should be in the market for a running back. Miller was criminally underused by the Miami Dolphins over his first four seasons, and he's versatile (47 receptions in 2015) along with being a productive touchdown scorer (16 rushing touchdowns over the last two seasons).

Assuming Alfred Morris is not re-signed, the Redskins should be in the market for a running back. Miller was criminally underused by the Miami Dolphins over his first four seasons, and he's versatile (47 receptions in 2015) along with being a productive touchdown scorer (16 rushing touchdowns over the last two seasons).

2. S Tashaun Gipson

S Tashaun Gipson Stephen Brashear Getty Images
Gipson missed three games this past season with an ankle issue, but he had 11 interceptions combined in 2013 and 2014 and he's firmly in his prime at 25 years old. The Redskins will have plenty of competition for Gipson's services, but he should be near the top of their free agent targets.

Gipson missed three games this past season with an ankle issue, but he had 11 interceptions combined in 2013 and 2014 and he's firmly in his prime at 25 years old. The Redskins will have plenty of competition for Gipson's services, but he should be near the top of their free agent targets.

1. LB Derrick Johnson

LB Derrick Johnson Doug Pensinger Getty Images
The league's 26th-ranked run defense during the regular season also struggled against the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round (141 rushing yards allowed, on 32 carries), so the Redskins should be looking for possible upgrades at inside linebacker. Johnson is one of the top linebackers on the free agent market this offseason, and he'd form a promising inside duo (with Perry Riley) in Washington.

The league's 26th-ranked run defense during the regular season also struggled against the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round (141 rushing yards allowed, on 32 carries), so the Redskins should be looking for possible upgrades at inside linebacker. Johnson is one of the top linebackers on the free agent market this offseason, and he'd form a promising inside duo (with Perry Riley) in Washington.

Brad Berreman is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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