Grading the performance of the Redskins quarterbacks through nine weeks
QB Dwayne Haskins
Had Haskins not started a game before the bye week, his grade likely would have been similar to that of McCoy. But on Sunday in Buffalo, Redskins fans finally got a chance to see their first-round pick in action.
Against the Bills, Haskins had a solid starting debut, as he completed 15-of-22 passes for 144 yards and avoided turnovers altogether during the game. He did take four sacks, but his effort was a far cry from his previous 22 passes in relief that saw him throw four interceptions.
As was the case in the preseason, Haskins has shown growth from game-to-game as he has been introduced to the NFL. For a rookie, especially one as raw as Haskins, that’s definitely a good thing. So, his ability to improve week in and week out is certainly good for him and that is one of the biggest positives in his evaluation this season.
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That said, there are still some issues with Haskins that will knock his grade down to below-average. The main problem? Haskins wasn’t able to win the starting job despite a relative lack of competition being thrown his way. Part of that definitely falls on Washington being reluctant to play him, but it also speaks to the fact that Haskins wasn’t quite NFL-ready when drafted. That’s not necessarily a knock on him, as plenty of players need time to develop at the next level. But the spotlight is always brighter on quarterbacks so questions were asked about him early and often.
This issue was magnified by the fact that Haskins didn’t play particularly well in two mop-up performances in the first half of the season. He really struggled with turnovers and didn’t look comfortable or confident in the pocket. He looked like a work in progress, but some of the concerns related to that have been quelled by his start in Buffalo where he didn’t turn the ball over at all.
Haskins certainly looked good against the Bills, but so far, the start of his career has been underwhelming. If the Redskins give him a chance to play and improve down the stretch of the season, he could see his grade rise into the B-range. But for now, he’ll earn a below-average mark as an acknowledgment that he still has some work to do to become a quality starter at the NFL level.