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          Redskins take advantage of weak market for Terrelle Pryor

          • John Keim, ESPN Staff WriterMar 10, 2017, 10:10 PM
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              John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on 'The John Keim Report', which airs on ESPN Richmond radio, and follow him on Twitter @john_keim
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          The Washington Redskins bolstered their receiving corps, adding Terrelle Pryor on Friday. In his first full season as a receiver, he caught 77 passes for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns.

          Terms: One year, $8 million. His base salary is $3 million with a $3 million signing bonus, plus another $2 million in incentives.

          ESPN 150 ranking: 14

          Grade B+: The Redskins did not expect to be involved in signing Pryor, figuring his price tag would extend beyond their comfort level. However, his market never really developed the way he had hoped. The Redskins hosted him Thursday and Friday and were able to get him on a quality deal, giving them a big receiver for one year to see how he develops. This gives him an opportunity to prove himself again -- and show that he has developed as a receiver.

          What it means: The Redskins lost receivers Pierre Garcon (expected) and DeSean Jackson (tried to keep) -- both surpassed 1,000 yards last season. But so did Pryor. He’s an excellent athlete and a huge target at 6-foot-4. He and Josh Doctson, at 6-foot-2, would give the Redskins two tall wideouts. Doctson tracks the ball well; Pryor can box out defenders and outjump them. That’s an advantage for whoever is throwing the ball to them next season, whether it's Kirk Cousins or Colt McCoy. Pryor, according to those who played against him, is still raw as a route runner. He switched last season from being a quarterback, his position in college and initially in the NFL. But he has big-play ability due to his size. It’ll be interesting to see how the Redskins deploy their wideouts. The Skins love Jamison Crowder, so he’ll be one of their top two wideouts and will move inside in a three-receiver set. It’ll be interesting to see who the other primary receiver is in a two-man formation.

          What’s the risk? Considering it’s a one-year deal, there’s not a whole lot of risk. Also, though Pryor put up strong numbers last year, he would not be considered a No. 1 target. Hence a one-year deal for a lot less than he anticipated. The Redskins’ offense runs through tight end Jordan Reed, so the Redskins don’t have the same need as other teams for a true No. 1 wideout. If Pryor doesn’t develop, the Redskins still have other big targets capable of big plays. If he does, he’ll hit free agency next year and they can decide at that time whether to re-sign him.