Brian Orakpo – the Redskins' first-round (13th overall) pick in the 2009 NFL Draft – was selected to three Pro Bowls in his time with the Redskins, but the free agent pass rusher on Friday reportedly agreed to terms with the Tennessee Titans.
Heading into the 2014 season, the Washington Redskins decided to place the franchise tag on outside linebacker Brian Orakpo after he turned in his third Pro Bowl performance in five seasons with the team, leading Washington yet again with 10 sacks.
But after struggling with injuries throughout the season – including a torn pectoral muscle that would end his year after just seven games – the Redskins decided to let Orakpo test the free agent market this offseason.
On Friday, the Texas product reportedly decided to move on, reaching an agreement with the Tennessee Titans, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Orakpo came to the Redskins in 2009 a prized prospect out of Texas, and the 13th-overall pick didn't take much time to show off his elite athleticism and strength, collecting 11 sacks that year – a Redskins rookie record and best among first-year players in the NFL – and earning his first Pro Bowl appearance.
He followed that up the next year with another Pro Bowl selection after collecting 78 tackles and 8.5 sacks, becoming the first Redskins player since Ken Harvey in 1996-97 to register at least eight sacks in consecutive seasons.
It was much the same in 2011 for Orakpo, as he benefitted from the acquisition of then-rookie Ryan Kerrigan on the other side to collect nine sacks and three forced fumbles.
Then the injury bug became a factor.
Photos from LB Brian Orakpo's past seasons playing with the Washington Redskins. On March 3, 2014 the club applied the franchise tag to Orakpo.
In 2012, Orakpo had played in and started two games, collecting eight tackles, before a pectoral injury ended his season. The Redskins would go on to finish 10-6 and win the NFC East in his absence.
The next season, Orakpo came back strong, starting all 15 games in which he played and leading Washington once again with 10 sacks. The Houston native also added the first interception of his career, a play he turned into a touchdown against the Chicago Bears' Jay Cutler. He was voted to his third Pro Bowl.
The 2014 season would be both disappointing and frustrating for Orakpo, however, as he could never really get going as he dealt with various nagging injuries. He had just a half-sack through seven games before another torn pectoral muscle ended his season.
"He's handled his situation like a pro and he's practiced very hard," Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said at the time. "He's competed, he's been a good leader on and off the field, and it's just very unfortunate."
Orakpo will end his Redskins career fifth on the all-time sacks list with 40. He heads to a Tennessee team that is looking to rebound from a 2-14 record in 2014 under head coach Ken Whisenhunt.
RELATED LINKS:
-- Report: Chris Culliver Visiting With Redskins
-- 2015 Redskins Free Agency Journal
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