Washington Redskins Player Paragraphs: Offensive skill players at OTAs

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SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 29: Wide receiver Paul Richardson #10 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Houston Texans at CenturyLink Field on October 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Wide Receiver

Josh Doctson

The Washington Redskins’ 2016 first-round pick has yet to have a true breakout season. In his rookie year, he only logged two catches, with his season being shortened by nagging injuries. In 2017, Josh Doctson slowly gained consistency en route to a campaign that saw him earn 502 yards and six touchdowns on 35 catches. Heading into his third year, and with a more pinpoint accurate quarterback, Doctson, with his athleticism, should be able to latch on as the team’s No. 1 receiver. He’s made some impressive catches in practice. He has a knack for making the spectacular look simple, just as he did last year in Seattle. And now, in year three, he has the confidence and health to go along with his natural ability.

Paul Richardson

One of the Washington Redskins’ premier free agent additions in 2018, it’s already become clear that Paul Richardson will bring vital speed back to the Washington Redskins’ offense. He and fellow newcomer Alex Smith have quickly gained chemistry this offseason. In practices, Smith has made a habit out of taking chances deep to Richardson, who’s good at gaining separation with his crisp route running and his ability to shift into high gear rather quickly. While his speed gets all the attention, he has solid hands as well, and he has an impressive mental grasp of what it takes to win one-on-one matchups. Provided that he stays healthy, Richardson’s quick initiation into the offense should give Jay Gruden plenty of flexibility come training camp. With Richardson’s speed to account for, the Washington Redskins’ offense, as a whole, is much more dangerous.

Jamison Crowder

Jamison Crowder is another player who’s quickly gained traction as one of Alex Smith’s favorite options at receiver. Crowder’s ability to get open underneath the linebacker and in the slot is invaluable with an accurate decision maker like Smith. Heading into a contract year, and with a seemingly competent backup in Trey Quinn, Crowder should be motivated to prove his worth and capitalize on a slot receiver market reset by Jarvis Landry. Having received at least 55 catches and 600 yards in each of his first three seasons, Crowder has a chance to top his best numbers in 2018.

Trey Quinn

#TreyQuinnSZN is in full effect. The SMU product may have been dubbed Mr. Irrelevant after being selected by the Washington Redskins with the No. 256 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, but there’s been nothing irrelevant about his performance thus far. That joke may seem played out, but if Quinn continues to improve, then it won’t go away any time soon. Quinn has impressed in offseason workouts. No kind of catch is too tough for him. Quinn can make both contested catches and athletic grabs, and his versatility to work both in the slot and on the outside will bode well for him. Jay Gruden called him a “quiet assassin” recently, merely emphasizing the impact Quinn brings to an offense. Quinn has also taken reps as a punt returner. The Washington Redskins clearly see him as a likely candidate to make the roster. Cue the usual “relevant” comment.

Robert Davis

For most of the offseason, Robert Davis has been pegged as a possible breakout candidate for the Washington Redskins. The 2017 sixth-round pick spent his first season on the practice squad, but he appears primed for a larger opportunity in 2018. Possessing a stocky 6-foot-3 frame and 4.4 speed, Davis is the prototypical big play receiver, and according to NBC Sports’ Rich Tandler, he’s working toward fulfilling his true potential. Tandler had this to say of Davis after the team’s final minicamp practice: “Robert Davis looks much more like a professional receiver than he did at this time last year. He was quite raw as a rookie and he was the only one of the team’s 10 draft picks that didn’t make the 53-man roster. It seems that he learned and progressed while on the practice squad and during the offseason program. His routes look sharper and he is more natural going up and high pointing the ball. Davis should contribute this year.” Down sixteen pounds, from 229 to 213, Davis is quicker and more electric than ever, and he could be separating himself in the backup WR race.

Maurice Harris

The offseason, thus far, has been good for Washington Redskins’ receivers. Maurice Harris is just one of many who’s shined without pads on. Harris has worked primarily with Colt McCoy and the second team, and on that unit, he’s shown more of what made him a fan favorite as a spot contributor. Per Lake Lewis of USA Today, Harris is in a tight race to be one of the Washington Redskins’ backups this season. He doesn’t have blazing speed like Davis, or positional versatility like Quinn, but he’s a consistent possession receiver whose utility should provide value. The Washington Redskins have also tried out Harris as a punt returner. That should help his cause as well.

Brian Quick

By far the eldest wide receiver on the Washington Redskins roster, Brian Quick seems to have the inside track to a roster spot. With such a young group, his experience will provide value, as will his ability to play special teams and work as a gunner. Quick seems to be in the same group as Maurice Harris and Robert Davis. All three have done well thus far in offseason activities, with very little separation between them (pun intended). When the pads come on, and the Washington Redskins get to test their mettle against the Jets in training camp, we may see the receiving group start to settle. But for now, the race is close. And Quick’s experience could be the tie breaker.

Cam Sims

Cam Sims is one of two undrafted free agents that Jay Gruden singled out in a press conference, referencing how he’s been pleased with the Alabama product’s work thus far. Sims, standing at 6-foot-5, has the length to beat tight coverage, and he’s displayed that ability on a regular basis in camp. As expected, with his size, he’s not as fast as other receivers, and his route running needs work. But he has made a good impression. In rookie minicamp, he caught an impressive contested catch when going up against Greg Stroman, and over the course of workouts, he’s made plenty athletic catches that showcase his Alabama talent. Sims is slowly gaining more polish working under Ike Hilliard. With his potential, it’s not hard to imagine the Washington Redskins keeping Sims on the practice squad, at the very least. His roster chances are slim, as there are seven receivers ahead of him. But if he does enough, the Washington Redskins might not want to risk losing him.

Simmie Cobbs

There was plenty of buzz surrounding Simmie Cobbs when he was originally signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent. Now, more than a month after the start of offseason workouts, it isn’t Cobbs who’s generated the brunt of the undrafted hype, but instead Alabama’s Cam Sims. That isn’t to say that Cobbs hasn’t been good. He hasn’t been drawing the attention. And players vying for NFL jobs need to do that. He has plenty of time to make more progress, but he faces a steep uphill battle to prove he deserves more than a practice squad slot.

Shay Fields

“Big Play Shay” wasn’t the first undrafted wide receiver to be cut loose, but he might have the most work to do, in order to gain some separation from his competitors. Shay doesn’t have explosive athletic ability or overwhelming length, but he’s a quick route runner with decent hands. Regardless, traits are most valuable when they yield results, and we have yet to see that from Fields. That said, it is early. But there might not be enough room for him on the roster. A practice squad spot could be in his future, if the Washington Redskins like him that much.

Darvin Kidsy

There haven’t been many updates in regards to Darvin Kidsy’s performance at Washington Redskins offseason activities. Here’s part of the blurb on him from our 90-man roster player rankings:

"Kidsy, compared to the other receivers, has perhaps the most working against him. Kidsy never produced at a high level at North Texas, and he was dismissed from the team in 2015. When he went to Texas Southern in 2017, he logged 37 receptions for 512 yards, and three touchdowns. His lack of production against low-level competition is concerning, and standing at 6-foot-1, 180, he doesn’t have any dominant traits. With his limited return experience and production, Kidsy has some ground to gain back in the race for roster spots."

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