Washington Redskins: Taylor Gabriel is a WR option we need to talk about

Everyone is tying the Washington Redskins to former Seahawks wide receiver Paul Richardson, but perhaps there is another name they are forgetting.

Before I jump into the analysis, let me provide you with a brief update on the free agent wider receiver pool.

Sammy Watkins, per Ian Rapoport, signed with the Chiefs overnight. His deal will give him $16 million annually. Allen Robinson, meanwhile, will reportedly sign with the Chicago Bears. The terms of his deal have not been disclosed yet, but it’s likely he’ll have well above $10 million in his pocket next year.

Paul Richardson is the next wide receiver on the list, and subsequently, Washington Redskins fans will be calling his name at the top of their lungs until he signs. But perhaps Richardson isn’t the wide receiver who demands the most attention from the Washington Redskins. That honor should belong to former Atlanta Falcons speedster Taylor Gabriel.

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Gabriel, who recently turned 27 years old, is a player who provides consistent production. At 5-foot-8, 165, he leaves a lot to be desired in terms of size, but Gabriel has, over the last three years, reinvigorated two different offenses with his game-breaking speed and quickness.

Gabriel provides an offense with immediate versatility and flexibility. He can function very well out of the slot, but he has the speed to line up anywhere and be a threat, much like Kansas City Chiefs’ wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

Now, Gabriel isn’t the same caliber wide receiver as Tyreek Hill. But he provides a similar element to an offense, and with former Chiefs’ quarterback Alex Smith joining the fold rather soon, the addition of Gabriel could be the missing piece for a Redskins offense still looking for consistency. Jay Gruden’s offense would become deadly with a quick, shifty option like Gabriel, and Gabriel’s presence could help free up Josh Doctson and Jamison Crowder, both of whom have more trouble creating separation.

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Paul Richardson is all the buzz. But he’s not the only wide receiver left on the open market. Taylor Gabriel is readily available, and there’s a good chance he won’t cost nearly as much. If the Washington Redskins want to make their offense as dynamic as possible next year, and if they want to provide Alex Smith with his discount-Tyreek Hill, they could do far worse than Taylor Gabriel. He’s the wide receiver option we need to start talking about.

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