As we enter another offseason with impending personnel changes via free agency and the NFL draft, it is obvious that the current state of the Washington Redskins roster will inevitably change.
Speaking to the press last week, General Manager Scot McCloughan outlined the type of players he wants to add to the roster as he continues to shape the Redskins into a team fitting his vision of success, saying that he doesn’t necessarily want the biggest or fastest players; rather he wants football players.
With that in mind, we’re looking at the five types of football players currently missing from the Redskins roster, giving player comparisons as examples, and listing a few potential (although not always realistic) free agency and draft targets to address each category.
Admittedly, there aren’t too many teams in the NFL that have all five of these types of player, so we here at Redskins Capital Connection accept that these may be luxuries for a team still striving to get better. Regardless, adding quality football players that fit these archetypes would go a long way to ensuring that the Washington Redskins continue to trend upwards.
Big Receiving Weapon
The NFL has evolved into a competition where the true number one Wide Receivers are almost (but not entirely) big “go up and get it” weapons. As it stands, the tallest starting Wide Receiver the Redskins have on their roster is Pierre Garcon at 6’0, which means that when the Redskins go with their standard 3 WR sets, Garcon is surrounded by the 5’10 DeSean Jackson and the 5’8 Jamison Crowder.
Even Tight End Jordan Reed is considered below average size for the position, checking in at 6’2 compared to other standouts Rob Gronkowski, Tyler Eifert, Travis Kelce and Jimmy Graham who are all 6’5 or taller.
Height doesn’t necessarily equate to a lack of speed either, as is apparent when watching players like Martavis Bryant (6’4) stretch the field with explosive speed for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
If McCloughan hopes Kirk Cousins truly takes that next step forward in 2016 and beyond, adding a tall and dynamic weapon to his arsenal will significantly improve his chances.
Player Comparisons
Julio Jones (6’3)
A.J Green (6’4)
Martavis Bryant (6’4)
Draft/Free Agent Targets
Alshon Jeffery (6’3) – FA
Marvin Jones (6’2) – FA
Michael Thomas (6’3) – Draft
Tall and long Cornerback
When you see the success that tall Wide Receivers have had against the Redskins in recent years (see: Mike Evans in 2015), it becomes apparent that having a Cornerback with the ability to contest the high balls is paramount.
The development of converted Wide Receiver Quinton Dunbar was one of the most interesting storylines for the Redskins in 2015, and checking in at 6’2 Dunbar is by far the tallest Cornerback on Washington’s roster. His teammates Chris Culliver and Will Blackmon are 6’0, Bashaud Breeland is 5’11, and Kyshoen Jarrett (who saw snaps at Nickel Corner) is 5’10. It is fair to say that in terms of height, the Redskins defensive backs are often at a disadvantage compared to their opposing Wide Receivers.
Admittedly, tall Cornerbacks who also possess the speed necessary to stay toe-to-toe with modern Wide Outs are rare, but that doesn’t mean that McCloughan and the Redskins shouldn’t try. There are a few potential options to be explored, as seen below.
Player Comparisons
Richard Sherman (6’3)
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (6’2)
Patrick Peterson (6’1)
Draft/Free Agent Targets
Sean Smith (6’3) – FA
Jalen Ramsey (6’1) – Draft
Delondre’ Hall (6’2) – Draft
Return Specialist
In 2015 the Washington Redskins were ranked 31st out of 32 teams when it came to Punt Return yards, with a season long return of a paltry 16 yards being good enough for equal last in the entire NFL.
The success of players like Jarvis Landry in Miami and rookie Tyler Lockett in Seattle make it blatantly apparent that having a reliable and dangerous return specialist can be a complete game changer, and it is something that the Redskins have been spent a long time searching for to add to their roster.
Rotating players such as Rashad Ross, Jamison Crowder, Andre Roberts and even DeSean Jackson through the Punt Return duties last season, the Redskins failed to turn opposition punts into momentum-swinging moments time and time again.
Thankfully, this years NFL Draft class has multiple options for addressing that position, which is more than can be said for Free Agency.
Player Comparisons
Tyler Lockett
Jarvis Landry
David Johnson
Draft/Free Agent Targets
Jakeem Grant – Draft
Cyrus Jones – Draft
Pharoh Cooper – Draft
Third Down/Receiving Back
Both Chris Thompson and Matt Jones have flashed signs that they can gain big yards on a screen pass, but that’s not the kind of thing we’re talking about here. When you think of a “receiving back”, you think of guys like Darren Sproles. Guys who have that obvious X-factor and who when you’re playing against them, you’re scared every time the ball is in their hands.
This is a position that the Redskins have been on the cusp of having with guys like Roy Helu Jr, but it’s never quite eventuated into consistent success.
One of the areas that Kirk Cousins appeared to struggle in late in the season was getting rid of the ball when there were no open receivers. Having a safety valve receiving back will go a long way to alleviating the pressure that can quickly build up in the pocket.
Player Comparisons
Darren Sproles
Danny Woodhead
David Johnson
Draft/Free Agent Targets
Matt Forte – FA
Kenneth Dixon – Draft
Enforcer
This one is a little harder to quantify, but it’s like that old quote from former Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart: I know it when I see it.
The Redskins need an enforcer the likes of which they haven’t had since the late Sean Taylor terrorized opposition receivers and backs with bone-crunching hits that seemingly came from nowhere.
The role of an enforcer, however, isn’t simply about laying out big hits. It’s about leadership. It’s about passion. It’s about looking your teammates in the eye when the chips are down and clawing them back into shape.
Admittedly in the modern NFL, walking the line between being an enforcer and being a dirty player is increasingly difficult, but there are examples of current players who do it well (see below). For an example of how not to do it, Redskins fans need only to cast their minds back to the Brandon Meriweather years.
The Redskins are never going to replace Sean Taylor. That’s not what this is about. But they can look to bolster the already improved leadership and toughness by bringing in that one special guy who inspires the teammates around him to run that little bit faster and that little bit harder.
Player Comparisons
Sean Taylor
Kam Chancellor
Ray Lewis
Draft/Free Agent Targets
Jaylon Smith – Draft
Reggie Ragland – Draft
Vonn Bell – Draft
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
