Redskins: Five players to watch on cut day, as teams make moves
By Ian Cummings
No. 2 – Redskins WR Josh Doctson
Earlier this offseason, the feasibility and sensibility of keeping Josh Doctson on the 53-man roster was questioned on this very website. After all, Doctson has already said he doesn’t plan on being in D.C. next year, and there are talented young receivers making bids to stay behind him.
It’s not so much about the cap savings as it is about the prospect of future utility; in fact, if the Redskins cut Doctson, they’d take on his entire 2019 cap hit of $3,197,615 as dead cap. But saving a little bit of money shouldn’t be the motivation to pass on players who clearly have more potential within the organization. Terry McLaurin is set to start, and he’ll take reps from Doctson. Robert Davis has the physical upside. Darvin Kidsy has the physical upside. Steven Sims Jr. has excellent dynamic ability and returner skills. Kelvin Harmon was acquired using draft capital this year, and he at least has contested catch ability to mold.
At the end of the day, it’s not about Doctson. It’s about everyone else. There are other receivers with more potential on Washington’s roster, and it’s time to look past the money and make a decision based on that. That’s where the Redskins are at, and they know it. They’ve been trying to trade Doctson for a long time, and they’ll probably keep trying throughout cut day.
Their best chance at finding a trade partner might be at the end of the NFL waiver wire; since Doctson only has three years of experience, despite almost being 27 years old, he’ll go on the waiver wire if released, therefore giving the teams at the front of the order the best chance to scoop him up. That way, a wide receiver-thin team at the end of the waiver order (it’s based on the 2019 NFL Draft order) might feel inclined to shell out late-round picks to acquire Doctson, if they deem him to be a cut above the cut day class.
Still, even with those credentials, a trade is unlikely. Only a few teams come to mind as even remote candidates. At this point, there are two reasonably realistic scenarios for Doctson: He makes the roster, or he doesn’t. And what his fate entails will be of great interest, later today.