Here is what you need to know on this Monday, April 3, 24 days before the April 27 NFL draft.

Timeline

Days until:



—Offseason workouts begin (4/17) 14

—Redskins rookie camp (5/12) 39

—Redskins OTAs start (5/24) 51

—Franchise tag contract deadline (7/15) 103

—First Sunday of 2017 season (9/10) 151

Will the Zach Brown visit lead to a contract?

The Redskins are scheduled to bring linebacker Zach Brown in for a visit today.

Report: Redskins to host Pro-Bowl free agent linebacker on visit: https://t.co/9X6bw5sCKv pic.twitter.com/tUAnDvhW43 — NBC Sports Redskins (@NBCSRedskins) April 2, 2017

As we all have learned, a visit does not necessarily mean a signing. It may not even mean serious interest in the part of the Redskins. This could be a favor to his agent to try to wake up the Raiders, who seem to be dragging their feet after they seemed to be near a deal a week ago. Or perhaps the Redskins will make a serious bid and end up signing him.

If he signs a one-year deal, which seems to be a trend this year among players who aren’t getting what they want in long-term deals, it would be his second such contract in a row. Brown will be 28 around midseason and he should perhaps try to get some security on a multi-year deal instead facing the prospect of playing for his fourth different team in four seasons in 2018. It’s hard for a player to realize his potential with such a lack of stability.

Should Brown sign, he likely would become the starter at Mo linebacker (or whatever Greg Manusky calls the inside LB who isn’t the Mike). The five-year veteran could bring an element of speed and athleticism that is lacking at the position. Mason Foster, who finished last year strong as the nickel linebacker after Su’a Cravens was injured, could return to that role with Cravens moving to safety.

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Brown was a playmaker last year, with an interception, two forced fumbles, and four sacks for the Bills. For his career he has seven picks, four forced fumbles, and 14 sacks.

Back to a potential contract, the Redskins have about $11.3 million in salary cap space. They would have a tough time signing him to a one-year deal for $5-$6 million, the salary range he reportedly has been seeking. That would leave them very tight on cap space. They need about $2 million to sign their draft picks. A $5 million hit would possibly have them needing to restructure or renegotiate some contracts to have enough of a cushion to get through the season.

If they can get him to agree to a multiyear deal, however, they could squeeze a three-year contract averaging $5 million per year into about $3 million in 2017 cap space. That would be something they should take a serious look at as Brown would be an upgrade on a defense that can use all the improvement it can get.

Stay up to date on the Redskins. Rich Tandler covers the team 365 days a year. Like his Facebook page Facebook.com/TandlerCSN and follow him on Twitter @Rich_TandlerCSN.

Tandler on Twitter

While Jay Gruden likes Rob Kelley (a lot) he won’t rule out the Redskins drafting an running back early, even in 1at https://t.co/f3BWjbjlLV — Rich Tandler (@TandlerNBCS) April 2, 2017

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