The Washington Redskins seem to be in a better place right now than they were at this time in 2017.
A lot can change in a year’s time. And the Washington Redskins epitomize what organizational changes and roster changes can do to an NFL team.
In May of 2017, the team was coming off what appeared to be a very successful performance in the NFL Draft. However, the amount of questions surrounding the squad was insane. It started at the roster’s most important positions, and trickled all the way down through the organization.
Of course, the big question during 2017 was whether or not Kirk Cousins was going to sign a long-term deal with the team. The Redskins and Cousins had been dancing around the idea of making Cousins one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the league, and the team ended up franchise tagging him in consecutive seasons. This ended up creating an air of uncertainty around the quarterback position, and it also angered Cousins that the two sides weren’t able to come close on a deal. As a result, negotiations stalled, and the questions remained at the most critical position on the field.
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At running back, the team was looking to move on from Matt Jones, a former third round pick, and their potential replacement options were former undrafted free agent Rob Kelley and fourth round pick Samaje Perine. While there was some hope that Perine would develop into a solid lead back, the concerns at the position were largely the same as they had been in previous years. Having unproven or underwhelming commodities as the starter at running back didn’t inspire much hope that the offense would be clicking on all cylinders. But Kelley and Perine were trusted by the team and for a third straight year, the running attack suffered as a result.
At receiver, there was a lot of optimism that Terrelle Pryor and Josh Doctson would combine to make up for the production lost when Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson left in free agency. While both players had upside, trusting two raw, young players was a big risk, and it was yet another question mark on offense.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Redskins were looking at numerous free agent acquisitions who were supposed to help the squad. In the back seven, it was widely thought that D.J. Swearinger and Zach Brown would help the team’s defense. In fact, Brown, who signed late in the free agent process, was considered to be a potential game-changer at linebacker. And that move ended up paying off.
However, the moves in the front seven were a little less inspiring. While drafting Jonathan Allen was widely regarded as a great move, the team’s decision to sign Stacy McGee and Terrell McClain in free agency seemed odd at the very least. Neither was a particularly strong player, and they weren’t ideal fits for the base 3-4 defense the Redskins run. Neither did a lot to help the team’s weak run defense, and that’s part of why McClain was jettisoned following the 2018 NFL Draft.
Fast forward a year’s time, and there are significantly less questions about the Redskins in all of these problem areas.
One year later
While 2017 was a time of uncertainty, 2018 appears to be a time of answers for the Redskins fan base.
The quarterback question was answered, albeit temporarily, by the team acquiring Alex Smith in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs. Smith is under contract for five years after inking an extension, and he figures to be a player who is on par with Cousins. The best part of having Smith is that he doesn’t make many mistakes and he has been happy to help mentor his successor in the past. Thus, Washington can rest easy and ensure that if they eventually draft a quarterback, Smith will help the young man to grow.
At running back, the Redskins finally added a high-upside player in Derrius Guice. The LSU product was a second-round pick, but some regarded him as the second most talented running back in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has drawn comparisons to Ray Rice and he undoubtedly has more upside than any running back since Alfred Morris‘ early seasons with the team. That will afford him an opportunity to succeed, and that will make the running game a strength once again.
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In the receiving corps, the team moved on from the disappointing Pryor and replaced him with Paul Richardson. While Richardson is still a developing player and only has one good season under his belt, he has excellent speed and uses his body very well to catch passes. He can make some incredible catches, and perhaps he will be a better complement to Doctson and Jamison Crowder. And don’t forget Trey Quinn either.
Perhaps the biggest problem area that the Redskins addressed was the defensive line. They spent a first round pick on nose tackle Daron Payne and followed up by taking another nose tackle in the fifth round, Tim Settle. Both players figure to help the team’s woeful run defense and pairing them with Jim Tomsula should be great for both of their futures. There is reason for excitement surrounding the youth on the defensive line, and it finally looks more like a strength than a weakness.
Of course, it helps that Jay Gruden came off the hot seat after some called for his job in 2017. Though he had signed a two-year extension before the season, some thought that Gruden may not make it through the season if the Redskins missed the playoffs. However, he guided an injury-plagued team to a 7-9 record and that earned the trust of the front office and fan base alike. With his input into Doug Williams, Kyle Smith, and Bruce Allen’s front office plans, the Redskins appear to be in good hands.
In 2017, the Redskins looked to be mired in chaos, losing their GM Scot McCloughan and making some questionable moves. But in 2018, they answered questions, addressed needs, and appear to have a strong foundation for the future.
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It truly is amazing how much can change in one year’s time. The Redskins have done well to turn their franchise around quickly. And perhaps they can make a playoff run in 2018.