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Redskins Training Camp Profile: WR Josh Doctson

By Jacob Camenker

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 30: Josh Doctson #18 of the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 30: Josh Doctson #18 of the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – NOVEMBER 30: Josh Doctson #18 of the Washington Redskins pulls down a touchdown in the end zone against Byron Jones #31 of the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter of a football game at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – NOVEMBER 30: Josh Doctson #18 of the Washington Redskins pulls down a touchdown in the end zone against Byron Jones #31 of the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter of a football game at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

What Doctson must show at training camp

Last season, Doctson struggled with consistency, and his hands were a big problem. He was only officially credited with two drops, but he had many chances to make other plays and let them slip through his hands. It’s something that he will definitely have to work on moving forward.

In addition to issues with his hands, it’s clear that Doctson isn’t going to be the game-breaking speed threat that some thought he could be. He never had electric speed, but his performance with an injured Achilles as a rookie made many believe that he could be a solid, all-around combination player. That doesn’t appear to be the case, and it seems that Doctson will have to pick and choose where to use extra burst to separate.

That said, Doctson might be best served to become a possession receiver, as I outlined in a previous article. Here’s what I said about Doctson in that piece.

More from Riggo's Rag

"Doctson’s 6-foot-2 frame will allow him to have a size advantage on most of his opponents. The average height for a corner in the NFL is usually about 5-foot-11, so that will give Doctson three inches or so on some of his matchups. Either way, Doctson has to learn to use his body to his advantage. Ideally, he could run downfield and body up against defensive backs when he can’t get separation. If Doctson can learn to run step for step with corners and then fight for the ball thrown his way to make the catch, he will have a much greater chance of sticking around in the NFL."

In addition to working on body control, it would be nice to see Doctson work on his route running. That will be another crucial way for him to get separation or any sort of edge against opposing defensive backs.

This may seem like a lot to work on. Hands, route running, body control, and physicality. But, even with minor improvements in all categories, Doctson could become a 1,000-yard receiver and have a chance to develop into a true replacement for Pierre Garcon. That would be the ideal scenario and it could be attainable if Doctson puts in a lot of work this offseason.

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