The Washington Redskins added depth to their defensive line, acquiring Erasmus James from the Minnesota Vikings for a conditional seventh-round draft choice. It's a low-risk move for the Redskins, but it could yield big rewards.
James was a former first-round choice (18th overall) of the Vikings in 2005. He posted four sacks as a rookie with Minnesota before tearing a ligament in his right knee in just the second game of his sophomore season. When James finally returned to the lineup in 2007, he was used in a reserve role before sustaining another serious knee injury in Week 13.
Feeling James' best days were behind him, the Vikings were set to release him before the Redskins phoned with the trade offer. Washington will only have to surrender the seventh-round pick in next year's draft if James makes the 53-man roster out of training camp. The Redskins will be hoping James can stay healthy and become the pass-rushing defensive end they so desperately need. The club didn't address the position during the draft or free agency, leaving a gaping hole along the defensive line. A revitalized James would be an enormous benefit to the team.
And Washington is hoping a familiar face will be able to bring out the best in James. Defensive line coach John Palermo was an assistant at Wisconsin University when James was a dominant defensive end, earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors.
