Redskins vs. Patriots: Five matchups to watch in preseason opener
By Ian Cummings
No. 5 – Redskins WR Trey Quinn vs. Patriots CB Duke Dawson
In reality, all of the Redskins’ depth receivers deserve attention this coming Thursday, but if I had to choose one to zoom in on this week, it would be the newcomer: Seventh-round rookie Trey Quinn (No, it’s not because he’s my favorite player. Don’t know where you heard that).
Simmie Cobbs, Cam Sims, Shay Fields, and Darvin Kidsy all fall in the category of “newcomer” as well, but Trey Quinn is the only one who managed to get drafted this spring, albeit just one pick away from free agency. Quinn’s skill set also best fits the Redskins’ personnel, and there’s a very real chance he could have a decent workload from day one.
Upon analysis of his college film, it’s clear that there isn’t a glaring weakness in Quinn’s game. He’s a precise route runner with quick cutting ability and solid body control. He has hands of steel, and he knows how to use his leverage and high point the ball. At the same time, he doesn’t have any dominant traits. At 6-foot-0, 200, he’s average size for a wide receiver. But his traits provide for both NFL readiness and positional versatility.
Quinn can legitimately be a solid target for Alex Smith this season, but even for the NCAA’s 2017 receptions leader, the NFL is a different game, and requires a period of acclimation. Some rookies are more ready than others, and Thursday will give us a glimpse at how pro-ready Trey Quinn truly is. This test will be a good one to ease him into the grind; Duke Dawson is a fellow rookie from Florida with an affinity for the slot. If Quinn does well in his first NFL contest, then it’s safe to say he’ll be a solid rotational option moving forward.