Redskins: Josh Doctson faces a pivotal season amid increased competition at receiver

With the 2018 season fast approaching, the Redskins look to return to a winning status. Having finished under .500 for the first time in three seasons, Washington is poised to return to its competitive nature. Perhaps one of the biggest deciding factors in that is the production of Josh Doctson.

Just over two years removed from being the Redskins first round pick, Josh Doctson faces the most important season of his young career. The third year wide-out hasn’t produced as a first round pick should, and his window could be closing.

Over his two seasons in the NFL, Doctson has faced major durability issues. These injuries have attributed to the TCU products lack of consistency and successes. The 2018 season is huge for Doctson, not only for his development, but possibly his future in Washington.

During his rookie season Doctson managed to haul in two receptions for 66 yards, before missing the remainder of the year with a mysterious Achilles injury. In his sophomore season with Washington, Doctson failed to push failed free-agent experiment Terrelle Pryor, or coach favorite Ryan Grant for playing time early on.

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However, Doctson did show flashes of his potential with a number of big catches, including his first career touchdown in the Redskins Week 3 win over Oakland, and going up over a defender in Dallas during the Week 13 showdown, as seen below. Doctson finished his year with 35 receptions for 502 yards and six scores.

Doctson will head into OTAs and training camp slotted as the No. 1 receiver on the depth chart, followed by free agent addition Paul Richardson and slot man Jamison Crowder. That will round out the starting spots.

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However, Doctson will face some fierce competition for snaps during the 2018 seasons. Robert Davis, a late-round project pick from 2017, is highly regarded among the coaching staff. Davis will be looking to make a push to be on the 53-man roster and will try earn snaps on Sundays.

The Redskins also added the 2018 “Mr. Irrelevant” pick Trey Quinn, and he is another wideout who will push for a roster spot this offseason. Highly looked upon by evaluators, Quinn led college football in receptions in 2017 and is a crisp route runner. Clean route running and solid hands are qualities Jay Gruden loves. Quinn will enter camp with a chip on his shoulder, and look to make an impact early on. Doctson could be pushed for reps by Quinn should he have another slow start to his season. The versatility Quinn provides could eventually place Doctson on the outside looking in.

Doctson will have to continue to build off his decent 2017 season. Becoming more consistent and taking then next step forward as a true No. 1 wide-out is a must for Doctson. New quarterback Alex Smith, has had success with reliable targets, and Doctson needs to become one. Relying on Jordan Reed to play a full 16 games a pipe dream at this point, putting that much more pressure on Doctson to succeed.

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Now is the time for Doctson to prove he was worthy of the first round selection Washington used on him just two years ago. If he fails to do so, he could see his time with the Redskins end after his rookie deal. And that would make him a disappointment for Washington.