Redskins sign TE Logan Paulsen
TE Logan Paulsen, a restricted free agent, has agreed to a 3-year deal to remain with the Washington Redskins. It makes sense to sign RFA's whenever possible because a multi-year contract can be made more cap-friendly than the RFA tender. The deal is for 3 years and $4.1 million with a $1 million signing bonus, but incentives could make it worth $7.1 million or void it after the two years.
Paulsen set career highs last season with 25 catches for 308 yards [12.3] after being forced into the starting lineup when Fred Davis tore his Achilles Tendon in the first half of the first game against the New York Giants last year. With Chris Cooley having been cut in the preseason and Niles Paul struggling with the transition from wide receiver, the starting job fell on Paulsen, who responded with his best performances in his third NFL season.
Paulsen, an undrafted free agent signed after the 2010 NFL Draft, had the best game of his career in week 7 against the Giants after Davis went down and scored only his second career touchdown in week 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles. His best game as a blocker came against Cleveland, when he consistently opened nice running lanes for TB Alfred Morris.
On the whole, Paulsen is a fine backup, but ideally he's not the guy you have on the field for every single offensive snap, as the Redskins did at times last year. He's a solid blocker and has good hands, but he lacks the burst or separation ability of someone like Fred Davis.
Speaking of Davis, he will be an unrestricted free agent, but coming off his Achilles Tendon injury and a drug suspension the year before, it isn't clear what sort of market will exist for him. If they lose Davis, the Redskins bought some inexpensive insurance with Paulsen today.
