Just like that, the Redskins 2019 minicamp session is in the books.
The three-day session gave rookies and veterans a chance to get on the field at the same time, and it gave Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden a chance to see what exactly he has in this 2019 Redskins squad.
In the offseason, of course, hype remains unbridled. Subtle reports can explode and source unparalleled excitement. It’s important to remain measured in one’s analysis, but also acknowledge the little details that hint at promise.
Over the past few days, many names have flashed in minicamp, but five young players in particular have stood out, as ones who could take on major roles with the team moving forward. Here are those five players.
No. 5 – Redskins WR Trey Quinn
No, this isn’t just my irrational infatuation with #TreyQuinnSZN speaking.
Okay, it’s a little bit of that.
But Trey Quinn, the Redskins 2018 seventh-round pick, has genuinely been drawing attention in offseason workouts thus far. The Redskins have often featured him in the slot, and as The Athletic’s Rhiannon Walker put it, Trey Quinn “could very well be a problem”.
According to Walker, Quinn has been making plays over the middle of the field. He always finds a way to get open with his quick twitch and nuance, and he doesn’t often drop the football. Quinn’s success in the offseason serves as a reminder that his Mr. Irrelevant title may not have been deserved.
The Draft Network’s Brad Kelly, an esteemed wide receiver analyst, had Quinn as his No. 67 overall prospect and No. 9 overall receiver in the 2018 NFL Draft, referencing Quinn’s “ability to snap his body back toward the quarterback at an elite pace”, as well as his natural ability to catch just about everything in his catch radius. Quinn showed flashes last year, and those flashes have carried over into minicamp. If he can stay healthy in 2019, he could be gearing up for a breakout year in the slot.
No. 4 – Redskins QB Dwayne Haskins
Dwayne Haskins hasn’t been perfect every day, as is to be expected from a rookie quarterback taking his first ever snaps in an NFL offseason. But when juxtaposed with a veteran like Case Keenum, many have been quick to notice that while Keenum has the edge at the moment, in terms of consistency, it’s clear that Haskins will overtake him at some point.
As has been noted by many in attendance at Redskins practices early on, Haskins, while he has been up and down at times, has the physical tools that Keenum lacks. The ball comes off Haskins’ hand with more natural velocity, and once he gets more comfortable with the rookie transition, his consistency with accuracy and decision making should follow.
Haskins has also quickly been making his presence known as a leader for the team, doing his best to connect with teammates and put in extra work. ESPN’s John Keim documented a unique ritual that Haskins has in place with each of his running backs, and NBC Sports Washington’s Peter Hailey managed to capture a video of Haskins working on his accuracy fifteen minutes after the conclusion of practice, with no one else left on the field.
Haskins may be confident, but he’s not taking any opportunities for granted. He’s steadily growing more comfortable with the pace that the NFL provides. It’s a testament to the Redskins offseason that they have a promising rookie and a reliable backup now, just months after their quarterback situation was mired in uncertainty. Haskins should continue to keep improving; in a closed setting, his traits stand out.
No. 3 – Redskins WR Cam Sims
The Redskins receiving core has been a topic of intrigue over the course of the offseason, as many view the position group as, at the very least, unproven.
However, there is definite potential there, and that potential has been embodied in minicamp by several players, from Trey Quinn to Terry McLaurin, and from Kelvin Harmon to Cam Sims.
The rookies have both flashed, but Cam Sims’ name has been dropped the most out of the Redskins wide receiver group. Sims has been working with the first and second teams, and he’s been the recipient of a few big plays in practice. At 6-foot-5, 214, Sims’ size is unique, and he moves fairly well for those measurables. Rhiannon Walker referenced an “extra gear” that Sims showed off in team drills.
At Alabama, players can sometimes be buried under the influx of talent. It’s what happened to the Buffalo Bills’ young deep threat, Robert Foster, and it’s what could have happened to Sims, who was a Top 100-ranked national recruit out of high school. Sims quickly separated himself last offseason; in the words of Doug Williams, Sims “threw a hand grenade” into the 2018 receiver competition. Now, in 2019, he looks to pick up where he left off, and carve out a more permanent role with the Redskins offense. If minicamp is any indication, he’s on his way.
No. 2 – Redskins EDGE Montez Sweat
Any defensive end who runs a 4.41 40-yard dash is going to meet high expectations in his first NFL offseason. So far, Montez Sweat has exceeded those high expectations, although he’s had it easy without Trent Williams lining up across from him.
In the matchup with Ereck Flowers, Sweat’s utter dominance has been documented. The rookie simply possesses the length and speed around the edge to confound lesser athletes. Granted, Flowers has had a minicamp performance to forget, but much of that has come at the hands of Sweat himself.
Sweat figures to be a key addition to a Redskins defense that should be improved in 2019, even with the loss of Reuben Foster. Against Trent Williams, he likely wouldn’t be making so much noise, but the fact that he’s making an impact this early, as a rookie, bodes well for the development of his unique traits.
No. 1 – Redskins CB Jimmy Moreland
In yesterday’s minicamp session, Redskins seventh-round pick Jimmy Moreland logged what was at least his fifth interception of his first NFL offseason, this time ripping the ball from the hands of Cam Sims. Jay Gruden announced afterward: “All the reporters are writing Jimmy Moreland!”
Yes they are.
Moreland has had an astounding early offseason. The James Madison product was pegged as a potential gem the moment he was drafted, and in the dawn of June, he’s doing everything he can to make his presence felt. He cemented himself into Redskins offseason lore earlier by nabbing three interceptions in one day. Once a self-proclaimed pick machine, that title is starting to get thrown around by other people, too.
Again, it’s early. And Moreland’s production in minicamp might not translate to the field on Sundays. But keep this in mind; it’s nothing new for Moreland. The people’s cornerback logged 18 interceptions and 63 pass deflections in his career with the Dukes. Some guys just know how to make plays on the ball, and some guys just have that alpha mentality in contested situations. Jimmy Moreland is one of those guys.
With exceptional closing speed, ball skills, and catch point focus, Moreland has put up a bid for more opportunities in June. For a seventh-round pick, he’s growing up quick.