No. 1 – Redskins must start winning back their passionate fanbase
Though the 2018 season was a culmination of years of steady erosion, it is no secret that there was a considerable amount of damage done to the Redskins’ fanbase this year. Those of us diehards who have to watch the games on television saw the half-empty stands during the home games. We saw Philadelphia Eagles’ fans take over FedExField in week 17. We saw times when visitors colors were more prominent in the stands than burgundy and gold.
Front office moves and coaching moves are nice and can temporarily invigorate a fanbase. But at the end of the day, there is nothing the fans want more than a winning product on the field and a product that they believe can compete for years to come. This is ultimately done through drafting and developing your own players, finding guys you think can be foundational pieces for years to come.
Because of this, this is arguably the biggest reason the Redskins need an impact draft this year: belief. A belief that the franchise has righted a ship that has been off course for almost twenty years. A belief that the franchise has turned the page on all of the mistakes past. And a belief that the Redskins are finally laying a solid foundation that allows them to compete for years to come.
With four extra compensatory picks, the Redskins are now in a position now to add some talent and lay the groundwork for a solid foundation. The Redskins must nail this draft and give the fans a reason to believe in 2019, or there are going to be even more empty seats at FedExField when the season comes around.