Too often in the offseason, speculation runs rampant. So much so that facts sometimes fall under the radar.
Granted, speculation is fun, but it’s easy to get caught dreaming about what a team can do, rather than pay attention to what they’re doing, and how they’re progressing in offseason workouts. Luckily for Washington Redskins fans, everything seems to be going well so far this offseason, so positive speculation comes somewhat naturally.
What do reports out of organized team activities look like? Who’s garnering the most hype, and which players haven’t lived up to expectations? Take a look at our player paragraphs, where we provide updates on the offensive skill players for the Washington Redskins. A quick disclaimer: I don’t live in the D.C. area, so I can’t go to open sessions. Most of the information compiled in the article was gathered from Redskins.com. Here’s what we were able to find.
Quarterback
Alex Smith
The Washington Redskins’ new starting quarterback fared well at his first session of organized team activities with the burgundy and gold. It’s clear that he’s the most polished quarterback Jay Gruden has had with the Redskins, and according to both Gruden and his fellow players, Smith’s football I.Q. is something that stands out right away. He’s the perfect quarterback for Jay Gruden’s complex scheme, and he has both the physical ability and the mental prowess to maximize it. Smith has seamlessly transitioned into the Washington Redskins’ offense, and he’s using the offseason to strengthen his chemistry with his receivers. Washington’s offense seems to be in good hands with the veteran signal caller. Coming off a career year, there’s a chance the 34-year old could continue to improve in 2018.
Colt McCoy
Entering 2018 as the longest tenured Redskin in the quarterback room, Colt McCoy, in early offseason workouts, has dispelled any notions that he might be unseated as the Washington Redskins backup quarterback. McCoy is comfortable in Jay Gruden’s scheme, and his level of comfort, combined with his experience, is something that will keep him a safe distance ahead of 25-year old Kevin Hogan. McCoy made some plays in the offseason program; on the second team offense, he and Robert Davis connected more than once for big plays. McCoy hasn’t been able to show off his moxy on the big stage for some time, but if injury forces him onto the field, he’s more than serviceable as a backup. His role shouldn’t change any time soon.
Kevin Hogan
From the moment he arrived in Washington via trade, Kevin Hogan has been the No. 3 quarterback. The young signal caller has taken no issue with the unceremonious title, however. He’s hard at work, and according to Jay Gruden, his work is slowly paying off. In a press conference on June 13, via Redskins.com, Gruden said of Hogan: “He’s done good. I like Kevin. He’s a smart kid and he’s got some deceiving escape ability to him. He can run a little bit. We saw one today, he popped out of there for about a 20-yard gain. I like where he’s at. It’s hard for those No. 3 guys to get the reps and for them to show what they really can do on a limited basis, but as far as being attentive and being a good quarterback in the meetings rooms and all that stuff, he’s been very, very good.”
Hogan himself has expressed gratitude for the opportunity presented to him in Washington, after he was pushed out in Cleveland. Hogan, in a piece by Stephen Czarda of Redskins.com, spoke positively of the Washington Redskins locker room culture, and he also told Czarda that he’s making use of his time, picking the brains of the elder quarterbacks at his position, claiming that he sits next to Colt McCoy in every meeting. Hogan is not guaranteed a roster spot, but if he does well enough this offseason, he can prove to the Washington Redskins that he deserves to stick around. His in-game experience will bode well for him. So too will his seemingly tireless work ethic.
Running Back
Derrius Guice
So… about those character issues. Derrius Guice has quickly become a fan favorite in D.C., and the coaches are equally impressed with the LSU product. In workouts, Guice has displayed speed and quickness that surprised even Jay Gruden. Yes, power backs can be fast, too. Guice provides the Washington Redskins with a complete back, and his rare skill set and work ethic has earned him a number of endorsements, including one from All-Pro offensive tackle Trent Williams, who said the following of the rookie after practice earlier this week: “When you watch him on film, it’s like he’s been here before. He’s a specimen. Extremely lucky to get him in the second round. I don’t know how that happened. It’s not going to take very long before people recognize him as an elite NFL talent.” It’s safe to say the Derrius Guice hype train is running at full speed.
Chris Thompson
Coming off a season-ending injury, Chris Thompson has been rehabbing for the majority of the offseason, and that hasn’t changed yet. According to Jake Kring-Schreifels of Redskins.com, on the last day of minicamp before a month break, Thompson was one of several players doing work on the sideline, out of uniform. He’s made progress without interruption this offseason, and the upcoming six week break should allow him to further rest and recover from the fractured fibula he suffered against the New Orleans Saints. We may have to wait until training camp to hear when Thompson might be ready.
Samaje Perine
Along with Derrius Guice and Robert Kelley, Samaje Perine has been rotating in with the first team at running back. Perine is in the same boat as Kelley; He needs to work on improving his vision and his catching ability out of the backfield. Despite his shortcomings, the Oklahoma product held his own as a rookie last year, running behind an offensive line ravaged by injuries. His skill set suggests he could have a future as a backup, short-yardage back for the Washington Redskins. According to Matthew Paras of the Washington Times, Perine has been working on his speed, losing bad weight and getting in better shape. A little adjustment could make a big difference for the Sooners’ all-time leading rusher. At the very least, he adds to a very deep running back room.
Robert Kelley
On the surface, it might seem as if Robert Kelley is the odd man out for the Washington Redskins’ backup running back gig. His second season as the team’s starter was cut drastically short by injury, and now, the team has Derrius Guice in tow, supposedly to take his place. But Kelley isn’t going without a fight. He’s looked good in offseason workouts. He’s reportedly improved his pass catching skills, which will be essential for him if he is to stick around in Jay Gruden’s offense, which heavily favors versatility. Kelley’s experience is also something he has going for him, but he’s not using it to talk down to younger players. Guice has happily accepted Kelley as a mentor at the position, and Kelley’s leadership may be another factor that leads to him stealing a roster spot in his third season. He regularly took the first reps among running backs. Perhaps, his job is safer than we think.
Kapri Bibbs
Kapri Bibbs came in late last season and brought some excitement to a Washington Redskins team that was long eliminated from the playoffs, and hurting at the running back position. Bibbs is an interesting player; he has a stocky NFL build, but he’s quick enough to contribute as a change of pace back, as well as out of the backfield as a pass catcher. Bibbs is buying into the hype around the 2018 Washington Redskins. Recently, he said that his goal this year is to earn a second Super Bowl ring. If he can showcase more of his complete game at running back over the course of the offseason, he could get a chance to do just that with the Washington Redskins.
Byron Marshall
Byron Marshall’s versatility has caught Jay Gruden’s eye through offseason workouts thus far. Marshall has always been a dual-threat running back, but he hasn’t yet had a chance to prove himself on the NFL stage. With the Washington Redskins holding open their fourth spot at running back, Marshall could find a way to sneak on the roster. In a group as close as this one, there isn’t much margin for error, but Marshall has the quickness and receiving ability to backup Chris Thompson, and at just 24 years old, he has plenty of time left to make an impact.
Martez Carter
Pegged as a potential UDFA steal earlier in the offseason, Martez Carter has done well early in offseason activities, but so have the players labeled as his competition. Carter may not be able to separate himself enough to make the roster this year, but he has a skill set that is truly intriguing. Standing at 5-foot-7, Carter is undersized. But he’s exceptionally explosive out of the backfield, and as Steven Czarda noted in an article on the Washington Redskins’ official website, Carter “has no problem catching the ball, is very confident with [the ball] in his hands, and makes the right cuts upfield.” Carter could be viewed as a competent backup to receiving back Chris Thompson, but he’ll have to compete with Robert Kelley, Byron Marshall, and Kapri Bibbs for that spot. It’s a tough task, but Mr. Excitement will put up a fight.
Elijah Wellman
The Washington Redskins haven’t always been apt to keep a fullback on their active roster in recent years, but 2018 could be different. Jay Gruden recently laid out the possibility that they could keep a fullback to help with blocking, something they’ve had to use tight ends for in the past. Elijah Wellman, an undrafted free agent from West Virginia, is the only fullback on the roster. He was primarily used as a blocker for the Mountaineers, without providing much utility as a versatile offensive piece. He only recorded five receptions for 36 yards in his final season, and he ran a 4.85 40-yard dash later on. As the only fullback, Wellman has a change to sneak on the roster. But it may come down to simple preference.
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.
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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."
Tight End
Jordan Reed
Yup. Jordan Reed is still recovering. It seems almost routine for the veteran tight end: Rehabbing through every offseason that comes around. Despite this, however, Reed has shown that he doesn’t need a full offseason of work to be one of the NFL’s dominant tight ends. He just needs to stay healthy, and he’s a quarterback’s best friend. He hasn’t always been able to do that, but the 2018 offseason offers him another chance at getting back to one-hundred percent, and he’s taking it in stride. He spent the months of May and June healing, and he’ll use the next five weeks to do the same. Time will tell whether he’s ready to go by then, but Jay Gruden has said the Washington Redskins will be taking player recovery into account daily this year. These changes for the better could bode well for Reed’s bodily maintenance, and, by extension, his readiness in 2018.
Vernon Davis
With Reed injured, Vernon Davis routinely led the Washington Redskins’ tight ends throughout the first phase of offseason workouts, and he played well. Davis, for now, is a mirror image of Jordan Reed. While Reed’s short career has been marred by injury, Davis has boasted longevity throughout his elongated tenure. Set to turn 35 years old next January, Davis is fresh off his fifth season in which he eclipsed 600 yards, and his first since 2013. The veteran hasn’t skipped a beat in workouts. On several occasions, per Stephen Czarda of Redskins.com, Alex Smith found his former and current team mate in the end zone in play situation drills. The two are known to have a good rapport, and if Joradn Reed isn’t ready to start the season, fans should feel comfortable with Vernon Davis as the next man up.
Jeremy Sprinkle
You might’ve already assumed this, but with Vernon Davis sliding up into the No. 1 spot, in place of Jordan Reed, Jeremy Sprinkle has taken his spot as the No. 2 tight end. As a result, he’s taken plenty of quality starting reps. Sprinkle has spoken about his positive progress and the progress of the offense as a whole. According to Jake Meister of the Washington Redskins official website, Sprinkle said the following: “The way we’ve been communicating out there, with a new quarterback coming in, I feel like he hasn’t lost his stride. He’s learned the offense really well and is out there leading us. Everybody is together out here just having fun and just getting ready.”
If Jordan Reed’s recovery takes longer than anticipated, Sprinkle could be getting ready for a breakout season in an increased role. The Arkansas product has the traits to be an effective receiver, standing at 6-foot-5, 252, with a 4.69 40-yard dash time. He already boasted a certain prowess as a run blocker last year, and if he can complete his game in his second season, the Washington Redskins’ tight end position could be one of its deepest, most exciting units.
Manasseh Garner
An undrafted free agent from 2015, Manasseh Garner, 26, isn’t the young underdog story he once was. Other players below him have usurped that mantle, but for now, Garner is safely ahead of them on the depth chart, and if the Washington Redskins decide to keep four tight ends, Garner would be the last one to stay. He has been dealing with minor injuries throughout OTAs, but by the time training camp comes around, Garner should be one-hundred percent. When healthy, he possesses a player mold similar to Niles Paul. He’s versatile, with the ability to line up in the slot, at tight end, or in the backfield as a full back. He can also play special teams. For Garner, and most players, quality will define his worth in a roster spot. And so, for the rest of the offseason, Garner will be working to prove his play is of higher quality than the less experienced players behind him.
Matt Flanagan
The instant he was signed as an undrafted free agent, former Pittsburgh tight end Matt Flanagan was already the Washington Redskins’ largest player at the position. Standing at 6-foot-6, 260, Flanagan has the genetic half of the game going for him. He has some competition at the back of the depth chart in Garner and Hudson, but his size should serve him well, as both a receiver and a blocker. He received mostly third team reps, catching passes from Kevin Hogan. If he can work to further polish his game with Wes Phillips, he could soon move up the depth chart.
Garrett Hudson
A Richmond alumnus, Garrett Hudson has quite a bit of work to do if he is to join his hometown team for the upcoming season. Hudson was cut by two teams in need of help at tight end, the Lions and the Jets. That development alone is not promising. But Hudson has shown promise in his short time with the Washington Redskins. Per Redskins.com writer Grant Cohen, Hudson has quickly learned the offensive scheme, and his work has impressed a number of veterans, including fellow tight end Jeremy Sprinkle and wide receiver Paul Richardson. According to Cohen, Hudson was consistent in individual workouts, and he received spot reps with the first-team in OTAs, making the most of those opportunities. At 6-foot-4, 245, Hudson has the size to contribute as a well-rounded tight end. He just needs to keep coming to work with that same confidence, and he could find a way to hop on the practice squad, at the very least.
Next: Redskins position battles: Colt McCoy vs. Kevin Hogan
The offseason is far from over. Stay with us here at Riggo’s Rag, as we’ll have more player paragraphs on the team’s trench players and the defense shortly!