The Washington Redskins are not expected to retain outside linebacker Brian Orakpo this offseason. Washington used the franchise tag on the veteran pass-rusher last year but his season ended after just seven games due to a third pectoral injury. Now Orakpo, 28, is scheduled to hit the open market once free agency opens on March 10 and he is reportedly drawing interest from the Atlanta Falcons.
"Per a league source, at least four teams are interested in Orakpo," Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com wrote. "For now, the leaders are believed to be Washington and the Falcons."
New head coach Dan Quinn has said that one of his focuses this offseason is improving Atlanta's pass rush. The team recorded just 22 sacks all of last season. While Orakpo is not an elite pass-rusher, he has recorded at least 8.5 sacks in the four seasons in which he has been healthy.
"Washington's Brian Orakpo would have been a top target for the Falcons last offseason had he not been hit with the franchise tag," Vaughn McClure of ESPN wrote. "Orakpo is set to hit the open market in March but is coming off a season-ending right pectoral tear. It will be interesting to see whether the Falcons maintain an interest in the three-time Pro Bowler, who has 40 career sacks. The Falcons might be better off targeting a pass-rusher such as Pernell McPhee from the Baltimore Ravens. He didn't start a game last season yet was productive with 7.5 sacks and 26 quarterback hits to go with 11 tackles for losses while playing 489 of 1,034 defensive snaps. The former fifth-round pick from Mississippi State made a modest $645,000 last season. McPhee, 26, will get a significant raise but won't force teams to break the bank...Adding just one capable pass-rusher won't be enough for the Falcons. They need to stockpile as many as possible. Two names worth mentioning on the free-agent market are Adrian Clayborn from Tampa Bay and O'Brien Schofield from Seattle."
Washington was reluctant to commit big money to Orakpo due to a concern over the lack of impact plays he made. In 71 career games, Orakpo recorded just six forced fumbles and one interception. The former Texas star likely still has a lot left in the tank and could be productive for the Falcons if healthy. However, he will turn 29 this summer and has never topped his sack total of 11 from his rookie year. Atlanta will have to decide how much they are willing to pay for good-not-great production.
