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Redskins free agency update

The Washington Redskins didn’t make any splash moves, but they have been active in free agency – as expected. They’ve already added three new starters to their defense and will continue to look for more. When it’s all said and done, their defense could have not only a new coordinator in Joe Barry but also at least five new starters and possibly more.

Here are the moves that have been made, or what I know based on my reporting:

Remaining money

The Redskins have approximately $12 million to $17 million left in cap room based on various sites, including ESPN Stats & Information ($17 million). This number can be fluid.

Next up

S Jeron Johnson: He arrives Sunday to visit with the Redskins (per the usual: dinner Sunday, meeting Monday). General manager Scot McCloughan was in Seattle when he made the team as an undrafted free agent. Good special-teamer with one career start playing behind two of the best safeties in football: Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas. He backed up both players, but is listed as a strong safety.

Signed

DE Stephen Paea: Will play defensive end in their base defense and move inside on nickel downs. He’ll be the athletic rusher Jarvis Jenkins failed to be. We’re not talking double-digit sacks, but he will be more effective. If he records six or seven, it would be a big help.

NT Terrance Knighton: The run-stuffing nose tackle signed a one-year deal. Why only one year? No one has told me directly, but I was told before he arrived that he was seeking more money than Denver or even Oakland wanted to pay. Teams just won’t pay above a certain amount for two-down players. The $4 million contract would be double what he made in Denver, so it’s not a bad move for Knighton. If he has a good year, he can get another deal next season (yes, from Washington; so no need to keep asking about Danny Shelton, OK?).

CB Chris Culliver: Signed to a four-year deal Friday and will start. That, of course, leads to several questions. A good player with off-field concerns.

OT Tom Compton: Re-signed the right tackle to a one-year deal. The Redskins' right-tackle situation remains murky.

SS Duke Ihenacho: The exclusive-rights free agent re-signed on a one-year deal. Could add depth at strong safety and on special teams, but they absolutely still need a starter.

CB Justin Rogers: Re-signed Friday.

Visited

CB Perrish Cox: Reported this Friday, but he has two and possibly three other teams interested in him. Cox visited with Washington on Wednesday then headed to Cleveland on Thursday and Tennessee on Friday. One source said another team was interested in him. But the Redskins have told people they want to sign two corners this offseason. So even though they signed Culliver, that does not kill a potential deal. UPDATE: NFL Network reported that he agreed to a deal with Tennessee.

Person of interest

S Dashon Goldson: The Tampa Bay free safety isn't free yet, but several reports suggest he’ll either be cut or forced to take a pay cut. If he becomes free, I’d be surprised if the Redskins don’t have interest. He was one of Scot McCloughan’s better draft choices in San Francisco, a fourth-round choice who made two Pro Bowls. But Tampa Bay will view him as a poor free-agent signing. However, the Bucs made a mistake in overpaying another team’s safety and trying to fit him in a new scheme. The Redskins would not be overpaying him. What does the 30-year-old Goldson have left? The Redskins might find out.

S Ron Parker: I have not heard anything regarding him in several days, but they have expressed interest early in free agency. Chicago and the New York Giants seem to be more connected based on others' reporting, but don’t know that for sure. UPDATE: Multiple reports say he will re-sign with Kansas City.

WR Michael Crabtree: Yes, Crabtree. The Redskins have expressed interest in him, but a source says he’s leaning toward San Diego, so I wouldn’t anticipate anything happening here. The Washington Post's Mike Jones also was told that the interest in Crabtree at this time wasn't serious.

Taylor Mays: The last I'd been told, a few days ago, was that there was mutual interest but could not confirm any visit. But that's where mutual interest usually leads so we'll see.

Lost

LB Brian Orakpo: Signed a four-year contract with Tennessee. Here's what he had to say about leaving the Redskins.

WR Leonard Hankerson: Signed a one-year deal with Atlanta.

RB Roy Helu: Signed a four-year deal with Oakland.

Spurned

S Antrel Rolle: He told Sirius XM Radio that he chose Chicago over Washington.

RT Derek Newton: The Redskins contacted him during the legal tampering period, but he re-signed with Houston before free agency.

RT Jermey Parnell: The Redskins contacted him during the legal tampering and would have had an interest, but he agreed to a deal with Jacksonville before free agency.

CB Brandon Browner: Had a visit lined up for Thursday, but signed with New Orleans on Wednesday.