Washington Redskins Lineup Season Preview

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The Washington Redskins off-season was mainly over shadowed by constant complaints regarding the name even more so than the actual teams play on the field. Also in the news was the tagging of quarterback Kirk Cousins who will play this season on a one year $23.94 million dollar contract. Lets start there why don’t we.

QB:

At quarterback there is no battle or questions heading into week 1. Kirk Cousins has raked in nearly $44 million over last season and this season and will earn another $34 Million if the Redskins are confident enough to use the franchise tag again next season. Cousins turned down an offer which the team claims was worth over $53 Million during the offseason saying he wanted to “evaluate” the organization.

While Cousins hasn’t been the best in the league, he certainly hasn’t been the worst. He has completed over 68% of his passes, while averaging more than 4,500 yards per season and has thrown an average 27/12 touchdown to interception ratio.

Cousins is the cylinder that makes this engine run. This team likely will rise or fall depending upon his playmaking abilities and decision making with the ball in his hand.

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RB:​

At running back there seems to quite a group of running backs that could play this year. Starting with Robert Kelley. Kelley ran for 704 yards last season and found the end zone 7 times(1 receiving TD). Kelley should certainly get many opportunities on the early downs.

Chris Thompson was another productive back last season for the Redskins rushing for 356 yards but hauling in 49 receptions on the season. Thompson’s 62 targets were the fifth most on the team.

Joining this group of guys is rookie Samaje Perine. Perine is an interesting back for fantasy football owners as Perine may be the featured back when the team gets down to the goal line. He is a bigger back and as his college days showed, can lay a shoulder down and run somebody over.

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WR​

It is safe to say that this group of recievers is the best that Cousins has had in his time in Washington. Terrelle Pryor joins the mix after coming over from the Browns in the offseason as should immediately slow in as the #1 receiver for the team.

Jamison Crowder will certainly enjoy the attention being elsewhere, and he could top 1,000 yards this season after finishing with 847 last year along with 7 touchdowns.

Josh Doctson looks to be the lock for the slot receiver spot and could have a breakout season after catching only 2 passes last season on 6 targets.

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TE​

Jordan Reed returns to the team after playing in 12 games last season and will certainly make his presence felt. He had 66 receptions on 89 targets last season in those 12 games which would easily be first on the team had he not missed time.

Behind Reed, Vernon Davis was signed this offseason to a 3 year extension and should provide a great second option for Cousins.

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Offensive Line​

The offensive line seems to be a solid piece to the puzzle and may be the best it has been in some years for the Redskins. On the right side, Morgan Moses & Brandon Scherff seem to have things under control. Spencer Long will snap the ball at center, Shawn Lauvao will play left guard. Trent Williams will do his best to protect the blind side of Cousins.

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Defensive Line​

Terrell Mcclain seems set to play one of the defensive end spots, while rookie Jonathan Allen seems to be ready to go on the other side. At nose tackle will likely be a mix of Ziggy Hood and Stacy Mcgee to fill the void of Chris Baker’s absence.​

Linebackers​

speedy Zach Brown is anchoring the middle linebacker spot. Beside him will be Mason Foster. Trent Murphy is suspended for the first 4 games of the season but will certainly be playing his typical spot at ROLB when he returns. Look for the team to mix in a bit of veteran Will Compton & youngster Preston Smith at both the linebacker spots and along the defensive line while Murphy is out. Ryan Kerrigan will be playing from his normal left outside spot.

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Cornerbacks​

This team is fast and has high potential at the cornerback spots, however it is important to remember the word potential usually comes along with the word in-experienced. Josh Normal will certainly be the #1 corner followed by Bashaud Breeland & then Kendall Fuller. After that expect a mix of Quinton Dunbar and Fabian Moreau.​

 

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Safeties​

At the free safety position D.J Swearinger certainly seems to have it locked down with DeAngelo Hall out for the next 6 weeks.

On the other side will undoubtedly be Su’a Cravens. Cravels is young and full of energy and made quite an impression during the preseason, one that seems to have given him the starting nod.​

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Special Teams​

Tress Way & Dustin Hopkins return to punt and knock in field goals. It is unknown at this time who will return kicks and punts for the team but an inside source had Chris Thompson or Jamison Crowder rumored to get the nod.​