With the nose tackle market quickly drying up, the Redskins pounced on one of the last remaining options.

The team has signed former Panthers NT Maake Kemoeatu to a reported two-year deal worth up to $7 million, though very little of it is guaranteed.

Kemoeatu is coming off a ruptured Achilles injury he suffered on the first day of training camp last year that wiped out his entire season. Although he’s not healthy yet, the Redskins clearly feel he can come in and compete next season.

This move could be crucial to the team’s expected transition to a 3-4 defense. If Kemoeatu can get healthy, he could play inside on first and second downs and allow Albert Haynesworth to play as a five-technique defensive end in three-man fronts, which should create some favorable matchups.

Although several teams were interested in Kemoeatu’s services after the Panthers let him go amid a youth movement, including the Saints, it was surprising how quickly he signed with the Redskins coming off a very serious injury.

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