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Redskins vs. Cardinals: Five players to watch in the 2018 season opener

By Ian Cummings

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 30: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins jogs off the field following a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 30: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins jogs off the field following a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 31: Wide receiver Doug Baldwin #89 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates his 18 yard touchdown with Paul Richardson #10 during the third quarter of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at CenturyLink Field on December 31, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 31: Wide receiver Doug Baldwin #89 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates his 18 yard touchdown with Paul Richardson #10 during the third quarter of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at CenturyLink Field on December 31, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

No. 5 – WR Paul Richardson

When it comes to the receiving core, the Redskins can offer Alex Smith something close to what the Chiefs offered him last year. The Chiefs have the most talented receiver of the bunch in Tyreek Hill, but the Redskins’ current core outmatches the 2017 Chiefs’ core in terms of depth. The only area in which it’s lacking is excess proven talent.

Paul Richardson can help with that. And after signing a five-year deal worth $40 million with the Redskins this offseason, the pressure will be on for him to make the difference.

Even aside from Richardson, the Redskins’ receiving core underwent substantial turnover, but now, after all the change, the latest product is not much different, in terms of quality. Terrelle Pryor provided almost nothing of value in his short stint with the team. Ryan Grant was a competent depth receiver, but between Maurice Harris and Trey Quinn, Washington should be able to replace him.

The X-factor in the Redskins receiving core will be, and always has been, the deep threat. One half of the equation is Alex Smith giving Richardson the chances he needs, but at the same time, Richardson will need to do his part and use his speed to get open. Week 1 will be our first glimpse at Richardson in burgundy, and our first look at how he’s progressed over the summer. Is the arrow still trending up for the Seahawks’ former big play threat? Or is he not as dynamic as advertised?

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