Last season, Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan used free agency to strengthen a defensive line that looked to generate more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
First, McCloughan went out and signed Ricky Jean Francois, who he drafted to San Francisco when he was with the 49ers, on Feb. 22.
Then once the free agency period opened up in March, the team also signed former Chicago Bears defensive end Stephen Paea and nose tackle Terrance Knighton.
The Redskins may take a similar approach this offseason, as defensive ends Kedric Golston and Frank Kearse are pending free agents while Jason Hatcher has yet to make a decision his playing status after stating he would consider retirement after Washington’s playoff loss in January.