Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Redskins have agreed to terms with safety O.J. Atogwe, formerly of the Rams, on a five-year contract.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter has confirmed the deal, and reports that it’s worth $26 million.
For once, it appears the Redskins did not brutally overpay. Also garnering offseason interest from the Broncos, Bills, and Cowboys, Atogwe’s annual average of $5.2 million sounds reasonable for a safety who has accounted for the third most turnovers among NFL defensive backs over the past five seasons. (Only Charles Woodson and Ed Reed have more.)
In Washington, Atogwe will play free safety alongside “in-the-box” thumper LaRon Landry. Atogwe is familiar with Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett’s schemes, having played for Haslett from 2006 through 2008.
The Redskins still have holes at quarterback, wide receiver, defensive end, nose tackle, and linebacker. And arguably running back and several spots on the offensive line.
But their defensive secondary, at least, is shaping up nicely on paper.