After posting a record of 7-9, the Washington Redskins will look to bounce back in the upcoming season.
Plenty of significant changes have occurred on both sides of the ball this offseason. Its hard to predict what will happen this coming season, but there’s nothing wrong with getting a little excited about the potential for this team. Here’s what we can expect from the Washington Redskins‘ offense, starting with the offensive line.
The offensive line, without a doubt, suffered the most injuries last season. Morgan Moses was the only player on the line to play all 16 games, and did so hurt for most of the season. What should give fans confidence about the offensive line this coming season is that there is no way the injuries could be worse then last year.
Injuries aside, the Washington Redskins offensive line group has two multi-time Pro Bowlers in Trent Williams, who is also one of the best left tackles in the league, and Brandon Scherff. Another Pro Bowl for each of them should be expected, and if Williams stays healthy, a first team All-Pro selection could be in his future.
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Morgan Moses is a very solid right tackle who could be in the running for his first Pro Bowl selection this season. Chase Roullier is a nice young talent who filled in well at center last year and earned himself a starting job. Roullier is young, but the potential is there for him to have a solid season for the Washington Redskins. The left guard position is the biggest area of concern, not just on the offense, but on the team as a whole. Fans should expect Shawn Lauvao to start there this coming season, barring health. If he stays healthy, he should be an adequate left guard that could be masked with the talent around him.
The depth on the offensive line has slightly improved over last year. The addition of Geron Christian in the draft improves the Washington Redskins’ depth at tackle, and gives the team a young talent to develop. T.J. Clemmings, Tyler Catalina, Ty Nseke, and John Kling should round out the rest of the line. Expect a huge improvement on the offensive line this year, but if injuries were to occur again, these guys need to step up. If injuries stay at a minimum, then this line could easily be one of the best in the league.
Tight End
Barring health, this is arguably the best position on the team. Jordan Reed is an elite talent that, if healthy, is a game changer for this team. Reed has had a very tough time staying healthy in his career, but if he can stay healthy for even 12 games this season, he will be a huge asset for Alex Smith.
Even if Reed is unavailable, Vernon Davis is a player that has the talent to be a starter, even in the late stages of his career. He did a great job filling in for an injured Jordan Reed last season, and he should be expected to have a significant impact on offense again this year. Even at 34 years old, he’s still playing at a high level.
The team’s third option, Jeremy Sprinkle, played in a limited role last year. He caught only two catches for 13 yards and a touchdown. Despite his lack of production, at 6-foot-5, 250, Sprinkle has the potential to be a very good blocking tight end for this team that can go out for a pass every now and then.
Wide Receiver
Wide receiver is one of the biggest question marks for this team. The addition of Paul Richardson was huge this past offseason. Richardson brings the Washington Redskins offense the speed it has desperately needed since the loss of DeSean Jackson. This is the first time that Richardson will be featured in a starting role, and he has a lot to prove. He’s already been building a rapport with Alex Smith. With the price that the team paid for him, expect the team to use him early and often this season.
Josh Doctson is entering his third season as an NFL wide receiver, but it should truly be treated as his second because he was hurt for most of 2016. Doctson made some big plays last year and seemed to gain confidence from the coaches. He still has plenty left to prove and he needs to have a big year, but with the pieces adding up around him, expect the former first-round pick to rise to the occasion and be the player that he was drafted to be.
While Josh Doctson has undercut expectations thus far, Jamison Crowder has been a solid player since being drafted in 2015. He had a down year last year, but some of that can be attributed to the loss of DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garçon. As of right now, Crowder is the best, most proven receiver on the Washington Redskins roster. The addition of Richardson should benefit Crowder the most. Richardson’s speed will open up more room for Crowder and other receivers. Crowder should see improvement over last year and might even emerge as Smith’s favorite target on third down.
Depth at receiver hasn’t changed much. Harris and Davis will return to fill in at the position, but neither of those guys have done much so far in their careers. Trey Quinn has shown a lot of potential throughout OTAs and seems to be all but a lock to make the roster, in some way or another. Don’t be surprised if a guy like Cam Sims or Simmie Cobbs makes a run at the roster. There are a few spots up for grabs this offseason at the receiver position.
Running Back
The running back position has the potential to be very dynamic this year. Second-round pick Derrius Guice was a bargain for the Washington Redskins in the draft; a first-round talent that fell to the second round under very odd circumstances. Guice could be a bust, or he could be one of the best running backs that this team has had in a long time.
Chris Thompson was having a breakout season last year before it was ended due to injury. He was one of the biggest weapons on offense with his speed and his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. His speed and quickness makes him a very lethal third down back, and he will pair very well with Derrius Guice. Thompson will definitely be a key weapon for this offense this season if he can stay healthy.
Samaje Perine is the leading candidate to earn the third spot on the running back depth chart. He showed some potential to be an effective power back last season. Expect the offense to use him in short-yardage situations.
The fourth spot is up for grabs. The two front runners seem to be either Rob Kelley or Kapri Bibbs. Kelley has shown promise in the past, but Bibbs has some of the same traits as Thompson and could serve as his backup with his versatility.
Quarterback
Alex Smith is now the quarterback in Washington. He is coming off the best year of his career and everyone is hoping that that can carry over. The Washington Redskins have made some key moves this offseason to give Smith the weapons he needs. Richardson gives him speed on the outside and Guice has the potential to be the dynamic running back this team has been lacking. If potential is fulfilled at other positions and injuries are kept to a minimum, then Alex Smith could have a repeat of his career year in 2017.
Colt McCoy is a lock at backup and is one of the more solid backups in the league. He has been with the team for many years and knows the playbook in and out. Kevin Hogan is the only question mark at the position. The team traded a late-round draft pick for him, so they must see something in him. However, with the need for depth at so many other positions, I would expect him to not make the roster. A spot on the practice squad might be in consideration.
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The sky is the limit, in terms of potential, for this offense. There are weapons at every turn and it could be one of the most dynamic in the league. The biggest concern for this group is health. The amount of injuries that this team had last year was unprecedented. If the injuries are kept low and if some of the potential for these players can be met, 2018 could be something special.