Thanks, as always, for taking part in the mailbag. Keep the questions coming, and we’ll do it all over again next week. Email me at mike.jones@washpost.com with the subject line of “Mailbag question.”

Here we go!

Are we as Redskins fans simply delusional? I feel like McCloughan has a solid core in place and with a few offseason additions, they are posed to make a run for the division title again next year. Why is Vegas so down on them, the worst Super Bowl odds in the division and only a handful of teams with even worse odds? So, are they not as good as we fans think or is Vegas clueless on this one?

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– Chris Lavoie

The Redskins definitely made improvements in the past season, and you can’t take anything away from them. But they’re probably not as close to being a legitimate contender as you’d like. You can’t count on injury hitting the rest of the division as hard as it did last season. And just because they won nine games this year doesn’t mean the Redskins are a lock to win 10 or more and take the next step forward. The team will likely use the draft to bolster the defensive line and inside linebacker. It’s possible that the defense endures some growing pains this year. But having said that, you can’t put much stock into Vegas odds or anyone else’s predictions about what any team will do in 2016 because there’s so much work to do to every roster between now and the start of the season. Free agency and the draft haven’t taken place. So, how is anyone supposed to know which team will or will not have a chance to contend?

(Editor’s note: While Bovada.lv does show worse odds for Washington than its division counterparts, Super Bowl futures at Vegas Insider and FootballLocks.com have the team ahead of the Eagles, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the lines on Dallas are partially aimed at their widespread and often optimistic fanbase — Keith McMillan)

How does Robert Griffin III feel about the way things turned out for him in Washington? What lessons as he learned – as a quarterback and as a man – during the last year? If he has multiple offers from other teams, what would be his priorities: chance to start, location, salary, fit with the coaching staff and offense? Is it possible he would retire from football, or is there still fire burning within?

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– Bruce Fitzgerald

These are all very good questions that I wish I had concrete answers to, but Griffin worked hard to maintain a low profile this season. At the end of the year, he declined a chance to talk to reporters even though team media relations representatives had granted permission for interviews. Since then, Griffin hasn’t responded to requests for interviews.

But, according to people who have talked to him, he definitely is highly motivated to revive his career and prove that his critics, and the Redskins, are wrong about him. He’d obviously like a chance to start, but he understands that finding the right fit is extremely important. Griffin wants that new team to have a coaching staff that is fully is supportive of him and committed to building an offense around him while also helping him continue to grow as a quarterback. Fit is priority No. 1, because without that, he has little chance to succeed.

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Were the Redskins happy with the play of Terrance Knighton? He seemed to have better games towards the end of the season, but didn’t play as many snaps as I had anticipated and seemed to not provide the push up the middle I expected. He also seemed to not have much in the way of lateral movement if a play didn’t come right at him. I’ve heard different opinions on him being re-signed so unsure which way they are leaning.

– Tim Tribbett

The Redskins’ coaches and talent evaluators had similar thoughts. They felt like Knighton made some impactful plays here and there. But, they wanted and expected more. They had hoped he could contribute more consistently and stay fresh for longer periods of time. They wanted better push off the line from Knighton as well. Whenever he would get tired, he started standing straight up coming off the line rather than continuing to get low and getting better penetration. I imagine that they will look to free agency and/or the draft to find an option at nose tackle. Knighton wants to return, but the Redskins (if they do not see a better veteran option in free agency) would likely tell him he needs to come back at a lighter weight so he can be more effective. And then, they could still draft someone to groom behind Knighton.

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So with the recent lack of usage with fullback Darrel Young, do you think the Redskins may line him up tight end more often this season? He has natural hands and is the best blocker out of all our tight ends.

– Shawn Johnson

People ask this question a lot, and I’m really not sure why. Darrel Young – while a good blocker with decent hands – is not tight end material. He doesn’t have the body for it. He’s listed as 5 feet 11, and most tight ends are around 6-3 or taller and with longer arms. He doesn’t have the length that you want from a tight end – even a blocking tight end – to fend off defensive ends and linebackers. So, no, he won’t be playing any tight end. And even so, he is a free agent this offseason.

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The Redskins value Young as a special teams contributor and as an occasional contributor as a fullback, but don’t run a lot of formations that include fullbacks now. They go more with multiple-tight-end sets. Because of this, and the fact that Young made $1.54 million last season, they would probably let him walk and sign a young fullback for spot duty at a more affordable rate. Young loves the area, the team and fan base. But he’d like a chance to go to a team that will use him with greater frequency.

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It seems to me the Skins need a major upgrade right up the middle, at the NT position, both MLBs and safety. Do you see any especially good fits in the first couple of rounds of the draft or midlevel free agents that would be an upgrade?

– Rick Lothrop

It appears that the Redskins will have a chance to get a quality inside linebacker or nose tackle with their first-round pick. If they opt for a nose tackle, Baylor’s Andrew Billings (6-1, 310) and Alabama’s Jarran Reed (6-3, 311) seem like they could be available at 21st overall. If it’s inside linebacker, then Alabama’s Reggie Raglan (6-1, 259) is currently projected to go in that range. If they wait for the second round, then Missouri’s Kentrell Brothers (6-1, 249) could be an option in the draft.

When it comes to free agency, possible nose tackle targets could include San Francisco’s Ian Williams or possibly Seattle’s Ahtyba Rubin. At inside linebacker, the Redskins probably are better off re-signing both Will Compton and Mason Foster and drafting someone. They’re likely to let Keenan Robinson walk. Durability has always been an issue for him, and he showed promise, but struggled with consistency and missed too many tackles for them to invest a lot of money in him.

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Will the Redskins use free agency to help supplement the running back position? Jones has never been a bell cow, and Thompson is a third-down back. And, if the Skins were to make one splash signing on defense, what position and names? What player or players on the practice squad does the team feel could contribute in 2016?

– Ryan Chase

I think the Redskins would like for Jones to emerge as the workhorse back, but yes, questions remain about him. Can he become more consistent as a impact runner? Can he stay healthy? I wouldn’t be surprised to see the team re-sign Pierre Thomas, who is a more well-rounded veteran than Chris Thompson to call on as a third-down back, or to help share the rushing load. And from there, the team could also look to draft a running back. I don’t see the team throwing money at any of the running backs that are set to become free agents (Matt Forte, Lamar Miller, Chris Ivory), and they sound content to let Alfred Morris depart.

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I really don’t expect a splash signing. When I think of big-splash signing, I think of a big star, and that’s what McCloughan wants to avoid. Washington will remain frugal in free agency and continue to build through the draft.

It’s so hard to say about those practice-squad guys. They’ll all get a long look during the offseason practices. But one intriguing player because of his size and the need for that is wide receiver LaRon Byrd – a 6-foot-4, 230-pound wide receiver. Will be interesting to see what growth he exhibits in the offseason.

I’m wondering about Zeke Elliott. Pretty much every mock draft I see has us drafting a taking a defensive player in the first round. I have no problem with this, and if it happens I would definitely trust Scot & Co.’s judgement. However, if Zeke falls to where he’s projected (20-25), do you think there’s a chance we draft him? With Alfred potentially moving on, what are the chances they could consider Zeke to be the “best player available” at pick No. 21?

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– Andrew Rubenstein

Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott definitely looks like an NFL running back, but I’d be surprised if the Redskins took him even if he was still sitting there. McCloughan will go with best player available, but when players are closely rated, he goes with need. Defensive line, cornerback or inside linebacker represent greater need areas for Washington. I wouldn’t be surprised to see defensive players taken with each of Washington’s first two picks, and then wide receiver or running back in the third and/or fourth rounds.

E-mail a Redskins question to mike.jones@washpost.com, with the subject “Mailbag question,” and it might be answered Tuesday in the Mailbag.