AD

OLB Junior Galette – Re-signed on a one-year deal

What it means: Both sides figured out something that suited their needs. Galette gets the one-year prove-it deal he wanted, with an earning potential that satisfied him. The Redskins get a potentially dominant pass rusher, but are protected in the event that he gets hurt again, or doesn’t regain his form after an Achilles’ tendon injury, or finds off-field trouble again. With Galette added to the mix that features Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith and Trent Murphy, Washington’s pass rush should be more effective.

QB Colt McCoy – Re-signed on a three-year deal

What it means: The Redskins understand the importance of having a capable backup. McCoy values his comfort with Gruden’s system. Washington also gives itself some insurance beyond this season if for some unexpected reason they are unable to retain Cousins next offseason. The team still could possibly draft a developmental quarterback as well.

ILB Will Compton – Retained on an exclusive-rights tender

What it means: Coaches were encouraged by the young linebacker’s emergence when he took over as a starter at inside linebacker last season.

ILB Mason Foster – Re-signed on a two-year deal

What it means: Like Compton, Foster provided a spark when inserted into the starting lineup because of injury to Perry Riley Jr. It appears that Compton and Foster will enter the season as the starters at the two inside linebacker positions, although Riley remains under contract and will aim to change coaches’ minds.

AD

AD

CB Will Blackmon – Re-signed on a two-year deal

What it means: After bouncing from team to team, Blackmon gets a little stability for him and his family by signing a two-year deal. Washington gets a reliable veteran capable of either starting (if Chris Culliver doesn’t make it back from his second torn anterior cruciate ligament) or playing significant minutes as the third cornerback. Blackmon also has the versatility to log snaps at safety.

SS Duke Ihenacho – Retained on a restricted free agent tender

What it means: The Redskins keep a talented young safety in the mix at a position where they are thin, and at an affordable rate. Ihenacho, who has had season-ending injuries early in each of the past two campaigns, gets another chance to come back and earn a starting job at strong safety.

DE Kendall Reyes – Signed to a one-year deal

What it means: Washington’s first outside free agent signing, Reyes helps the team get younger, and potentially more disruptive, at defensive end. He had 10.5 sacks over his first two seasons before experiencing a drop-off in the past two years. Coaches will try to help him get back to that form as he competes with Ricky Jean Francois, Stephen Paea and Ziggy Hood for the starting right defensive end job.

AD

AD

SS David Bruton Jr. – Signed to a three-year deal

What it means: The former Denver Bronco and eighth-year veteran brings much-needed experience to Washington’s safety position, and also is an impactful special teams player. Whether he starts or not (he was a backup during his career in Denver), the depth at strong safety now has improved.

P Tress Way – Re-signed with a five-year extension

What it means: Washington extended Way an exclusive-rights tender, but his agent instead managed to get him a long-term deal instead. The Redskins hang onto their strong-legged punter for the next five years.

TE Logan Paulsen – Re-signed on a one-year deal

What it means: The Redskins give Paulsen a one-year deal and opportunity to prove he can return to form after a 2015 season lost to a toe injury and surgery. The team missed its best blocking tight end last season, and now could potentially have corrected a problem that plagued them all of last season. Competition at tight end will be thick with Niles Paul, Derek Carrier and Paulsen battling for spots behind Jordan Reed.

RB Chris Thompson – Retained on an exclusive-rights tender

What it means: Washington hangs onto its speedy young running back, who has proven an ability to make plays as a third-down back. Durability has been Thompson’s biggest weakness thus far. He’ll try to go a full year without injury for the first time in his career.

AD

AD

C Josh LeRibeus – Re-signed on a one-year deal

What it means: Despite his inconsistencies with his snaps, the Redskins bring LeRibeus back into the mix to see if he can improve. He provides depth behind Kory Lichtensteiger, but the team still could draft or sign another center to compete.

DL Kedric Golston – Re-signed on a one-year deal

What it means: The longest-tenured Redskin remains with the only team he has played for since entering the NFL in 2006. The team holds onto a versatile backup (he can play both nose tackle and end) and one of their locker-room leaders.

What next?

The team still needs a starting nose tackle, and possibly more youth and explosiveness at defensive end. Look for them to draft both early, while also possibly bringing in a veteran nose tackle. The team also needs another running back to pair with Matt Jones and Thompson. The team will likely find a veteran free agent to add to the mix eventually. Cornerback is another area that that the team could invest in early in the draft, in addition to safety.

AD

AD