The NFL is back, and Sportsnet is breaking down everything you need to know about each of the 32 teams in the month leading up to kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 7. Today, the Washington Redskins.
Head coach: Jay Gruden
Last season’s record: 8-7-1
Playoff result: Missed the playoffs.
Key free agent gains: Terrelle Pryor will be counted on to make up for the loss in production at the wide receiver position in free agency.
One issue Washington has had in the past is red-zone efficiency, which is one of the reasons Dustin Hopkins led the league in field goal attempts last year. Now Kirk Cousins has a big red zone target in the six-foot-four Pryor. Last year, his first at full season at wide receiver, Pryor put up good numbers on a bad Cleveland team. He should be even more of a fantasy stud in Washington.
On defence, they upgraded their front seven.
Washington brought in linebacker Zach Brown on a one-year deal. Last year with the Bills, Brown was second in the league in tackles with 149. They also signed defensive lineman Stacy McGee, who after four years with Oakland had 63 tackles, three sacks and two fumbles forced last season.
At safety, Washington brought in D.J. Swearinger, the former high school teammate of star cornerback Josh Norman. Swearinger is athletic but ineffective and inconsistent as he hasn’t proven to play within the team concept so far in his career, which is why Washington is his fourth team in just five NFL seasons. He is 26 years old so it is possible his best football is still ahead of him.
Key free agent losses: Washington will have to overcome being the first team ever to lose two receivers in one off-season who have 1,000-yard seasons on their résumé. DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon were both lost to free agency, making room for Pryor.
Key draft picks: With the 17th overall selection Washington took Jonathan Allen. The defensive tackle from Alabama slid down to Washington because of some concerns about his past shoulder injuries. Washington now has four defensive starters under the age of 25 as they look to rebuild on that side of the ball.
They also grabbed another defender from college football’s premier defensive program when they took Ryan Anderson, also from the Crimson Tide. The outside linebacker will help Washington increase its pass rush immediately. Six of the team’s 10 draft picks were spent on defence but these are the two who will play right away.
X-factor: The continual ascension of Jamison Crowder is paramount. Crowder surprised many last year, hauling in 67 receptions for 847 yards. Not just a slot receiver, Washington moves Crowder all over the field in sub packages. Already contributing at 24 years old, Crowder is the main reason Washington let its veteran receivers go in the off-season. However, the injuries to the receiving corps are troubling and will put more pressure on Crowder to be productive. Jordan Reed is good when healthy, but has a toe injury history worth worrying about. The six-foot-two Josh Doctson was a great pick at No. 22 in 2016 but has hamstring issues that seemingly never go away. Crowder has to take another jump in production to keep Washington’s offence a threat throughout the entire season.
2017 will be a success if: Cousins can keep slinging while negotiating. Going into his sixth season, this will be the second consecutive year Cousins plays under the franchise tag and he’s been vocal about the fact he wants to stay in D.C.
One thing we know for certain, Washington is going to throw the ball. Since Jay Gruden took over in Washington only four teams in the NFL have passed for more yards.
Over the last two seasons, Cousins is fourth in the NFL in passing yards. Captain Kirk also provides sneaky value with his legs as he has nine rushing scores over the last two years, second only to Cam Newton. Cousins has quietly been elite as he’s top seven over the last two years in passing attempts, passing yards and completion percentage.
As long as the franchise tag talk doesn’t derail his on-field focus, the Redskins are best the more Cousins is passing and screaming, “You like that!”
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