Washington Redskins WRs are unproven, but not necessarily incapable

Whether through the NFL Draft, or through free agency, the Washington Redskins need to prioritize finding a new wide receiver or two this offseason.

To be fair, such a task is easier said than done. Perhaps no one knows this better than the Washington Redskins, who have missed on more than a few wide receivers over the past two decades.

This past offseason, the team suffered another ‘miss’ with Terrelle Pryor. The converted quarterback from Cleveland couldn’t fit into the Washington Redskins’ nuanced-based offense, and by the midpoint of the year, he was sidelined by an ankle injury that would render him inactive for the rest of the year.

Many have been quick to label Pryor as a bust, and they are far from wrong, in the right context. But when voicing frustrations over the woes of the Washington Redskins receiving core, one must not forget the youth, intrigue, and potential that this unit holds.

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I’ll admit, I’ve fallen into the same trap. The lack of success, over so much time, becomes draining. It distorts one’s perception. Yes, the Washington Redskins haven’t seen the same success other teams have at the position over the years. But now, the position is younger than it’s ever been. The potential energy for an increase in production is building.

Right now, the Washington Redskins have four wide receivers still under contract: Josh Doctson, Jamison Crowder, Robert Davis, and Maurice Harris. Doctson and Harris are 25 years old, while Jamison Crowder is still 24, and Davis is only 22. Were Ryan Grant to be signed, he would be the eldest in the bunch, at 27 years old, but still far from the point of decline.

The Washington Redskins are likely to make one or two more additions on top of re-signing the desired players, but regardless of who they add, to some extent, the development of the current receivers on the roster will have a great impact on whether the offense succeeds or fails with Alex Smith at the helm.

Ike Hilliard has a busy summer ahead. The Washington Redskins need to bolster the wide receiver position, but it is the young core in place that will truly determine the success of the unit. The Washington Redskins drafted Robert Davis for his traits. And they signed Maurice Harris for his traits. If these young players can develop, and grow up quickly, then the team could have a new batch of playmakers ready to make an impact next year. If not, then they’ll be lacking not only that playmaking ability, but depth as well.

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It’s a dangerous situation; one that offers bounty in a best-case scenario, and one that sets back the offense another year if it fails. Amidst all the uncertainty, it is the broadest claims that ring true. The Washington Redskins’ young receivers are far from proven. But they are by no means incapable of filling necessary roles. It just takes a little growing up.

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