As the beginning of free agency draws closer, teams have started to ramp up discussions with its players set to hit the open market. This includes Washington Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo.
A former 2009 first-round pick, Orakpo made three Pro Bowl appearances in his first five seasons. But three season-ending pectoral injuries since 2012 and a significant dip in production have made Orakpo's future in D.C. cloudy at best.
Washington slapped Orakpo with the franchise tag last season in a "prove it" type of move. The team wanted their go-to pass-rusher to elevate his game before they committed top dollar to him. That's not a knock against Orakpo, but in five seasons he had never topped the 11 sacks he recorded as a rookie or been a significant playmaker. In Washington's eyes, he had not yet proven that he was worth the same type of money given to guys like Mario Williams and J.J. Watt. After he recorded just one half sack in seven games before hitting injured reserve this past season, that opinion remains unchanged.
ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim outlined some of the reasons Orakpo may not be re-signed by Washington this offseason.
"Because head coach Jay Gruden stressed he wanted to see more of game-changing plays this past season," Keim wrote. "That's not what Orakpo makes. Before missing the last nine games with a torn pectoral muscle in 2014, he had just half a sack and no forced fumbles. He has no forced fumbles in his last 22 games. He can be tough to replace - if you look only at sack totals, you're doing the wrong thing - but he would not be impossible to replace. And this is a strong draft for pass-rushers and edge defenders, both high in the draft and if the Redskins trade down. It's a good chance for Washington to land a young rusher who could be here for the next 10 years as opposed to paying someone who is coming off an injury and is pushing 30."
Last year, Orakpo was hoping to score a deal upwards of $11 million annually. Now, he's likely looking at a mid-level contract. He's a good player and a good teammate, but he doesn't stay healthy consistently or make enough momentum-shifting plays to merit a big deal on the open market. Redskins fans probably shouldn't expect him back.
