Redskins Training Camp Profile: QB Dwayne Haskins

What Haskins must show at training camp

There are a few areas in which Haskins will have to show growth during his first NFL training camp.

First and foremost, Haskins needs to improve his ball placement, as the ball was ever so slightly in the wrong place on a good chunk of his passes, much like Jameis Winston at Florida State. His receivers made up for that in the Big 10, but that could be more of an issue in the NFL. If he can do that, his overall accuracy would certainly benefit.

Additionally, Haskins’ mobility is a concern, so he will have to show a penchant for making positive decisions in the pocket while also showing at least an ability to escape. He will be more of a pocket passer, but if he can show intelligence and an ability to climb the pocket, that will help his chances of emerging as the starter as well.

Haskins’ accuracy has also declined when on the move — something that happens with many quarterbacks in the NFL — but if he can improve that, it would be a good start to earning the confidence of his coaching staff and offensive coordinator. And it could open up some more options for potential rollouts in certain packages (though they likely would only use that as a wrinkle in the offense).

It would certainly help Haskins to showcase his downfield passing ability as well. Haskins possesses a very good arm, and his downfield throwing ability has the potential to be a strength. Again, his ball placement will be important in this area, but if he can get the ball downfield with ease and drop it into the breadbasket of his receivers, that could give him a leg up in the competition.

Skills-wise, these are all doable. But the biggest thing that Haskins will have to show is that he is ready for the NFL level. He is facing some stiff competition at the quarterback position against two veteran passing options. So, if he doesn’t look comfortable in training camp, that could force him to be the backup at least to begin his NFL career.