Report: Redskins interested in Duke QB Daniel Jones

The Washington Redskins are in the market for a new quarterback this offseason. They reportedly have interest in Duke QB Daniel Jones.

The Redskins are facing a tough decision at the quarterback position this offseason. After Alex Smith suffered a season-ending leg injury midway through the year, the team was left with a conundrum at the position. It’s unclear when — or if — Smith will be able to return to the NFL, and the team is looking to add some insurance just in case he can’t play at all in 2019.

While the team is armed with Colt McCoy, one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league, he is the only quarterback under contract for the season aside from Smith. Thus, the team either needs to add a veteran backup to serve behind McCoy or add a young passer to compete with him. It remains to be seen which option they will take, but it appears that the team is leaning towards selecting a quarterback early. Or, they are at least doing their research on early-round quarterbacks.

According to WalterFootball.com’s Charlie Campbell, the Redskins are interested in Duke quarterback Daniel Jones. Around this time last year, Campbell reported that the Redskins had interest in Daron Payne, who ended up being their first-round pick in 2018. So, needless to say, this report carries some weight.

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Doug Williams was at Duke’s bowl game in which Jones put on one of his best performances of the year. In that contest, Jones completed 73 percent of his passes for 423 yards and a whopping five touchdowns. He did have two interceptions, but generally speaking, Jones showed off solid arm strength, good mechanics, and mobility. He looked a little bit like Carson Wentz, so that performance surely helped his stock.

Jones will have a chance to prove himself at the Senior Bowl which takes place on Saturday. He has the prototypical frame necessary to become a quality NFL passer (6-5, 220 pounds) and he has been well coached in college by David Cutcliffe. Cutcliffe is notorious for his work with Peyton Manning, so needless to say, Jones will come into the NFL with a high-level football IQ and a lot of experience.

It’s possible that Jones could get consideration for the Redskins’ first-round pick. He’s the type of player that could easily rise with a good showing in the pre-draft process and that will make him all the more appealing. However, as Campbell reported, the Redskins don’t expect him to last to the No. 15 pick, as other quarterback-needy teams may take him ahead of that spot. So, the Redskins might have to trade up if they want Jones, and that move may not be entirely worth it.

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If the Giants, Jaguars, Broncos, and Dolphins all look to select first-round quarterbacks, it will be hard for the ‘Skins to land Jones. But, they are being tied together right now, so that will make Jones a player to watch throughout the draft process. A lot can change in the next three months, but Jones appears to be a player who is currently on the rise.

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