Five Redskins players you can’t forget heading into 2019

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 14: Wide Receiver Paul Richardson #10 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at FedExField on October 14, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 14: Wide Receiver Paul Richardson #10 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at FedExField on October 14, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 11: Jordan Reed #86 of the Washington Redskins makes a reception during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 11: Jordan Reed #86 of the Washington Redskins makes a reception during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images) /

No. 3 – Redskins TE Jordan Reed

I’m not saying you should convince yourself that Jordan Reed will finally play sixteen games, and finally resurrect his 2015 form. That’s asking for a lot from a player who’s missed 17 games over the past three seasons, and who will soon turn 29 years old. Just do what the title says. Nothing more, nothing less. Don’t forget about him.

Getting a clean bill of health is the first step for Reed. That makes it sound easy, but if that’s the case, then Reed hasn’t completed the first step in a long time. Injuries have slowly sapped his explosiveness away, and in 2019, it’s worth wondering if he’s worth his cap hit on the field.

Of course, for the Redskins, the real answer is only attainable if Reed stays healthy. When healthy, Reed has, at worst, been a reliable chains mover, and at best, he’s been a dynamic offensive weapon capable of creating separation up the middle with route nuance and lateral quickness.

Health will always be the deal breaker with Reed, and in 2019, after so many years of contact and wear, to expect Reed to suddenly get healthy and stay healthy is unreasonable. But there’s at least a chance that he manages to stay on the field. And if he does, he can be a very valuable safety blanket for Dwayne Haskins. At this point, he’s not being cut or traded. The Redskins would have nothing to gain by cutting Reed now. So all that’s left is to try to glean the most value from his offensive presence.