As OTAs get started, Josh Doctson says he is ‘100 percent’
By Ian Cummings
The success of the 2017 season is partially contingent on what the Redskins get out of 2016 first-rounder Josh Doctson. The athletic receiver sat out most of his rookie season due to injury. But according to recent reports, he’s almost fully recovered.
The Redskins responded well to the loss of Pierre Garcon and Desean Jackson, signing Terrelle Pryor and Brian Quick to deals. Nevertheless, the success of the unit is largely dependent not on Pryor, or Quick, but 2016 first-round pick Josh Doctson. He showed promise last year, but his emergence was delayed because of a nagging Achilles injury.
This year, expectations are mounting. But Doctson should be up to the challenge. By his own account, he’s almost 100 percent. Here’s what Doctson had to say about his progress, courtesy of ESPN’s John Keim:
"“I feel I was the most anxious one out here,” Doctson said. “I was ready to have someone guard me besides the strength coach. I have to get all the rust knocked off. … and seeing a body in front of me.”“I’m full speed, but maintaining at the same time so I don’t do too much. [To] make sure in training camp I’m ready to go.”"
Doctson is smart to exercise caution with his Achilles. Junior Galette is another Redskin who hasn’t been so lucky with that particular area. But it sounds like Doctson should be ready to go when the regular season arrives. He spent all of 2016 recovering, and come September, he should be able to show the Redskins why they used a first-round pick on him.
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The Redskins’ receiving corps has potential to reach exciting heights in 2017. Pryor, Quick, and Doctson are all 6-foot-2 or taller, and their athleticism and length should translate well in the Redskins’ pass happy scheme, with Kirk Cousins throwing them the ball. Couple that with stout slot wideout Jamison Crowder, and it’s easy to be excited about the Redskins’ receivers in 2017.