With Garcon and Jackson elsewhere, Redskins are fully counting on Josh Doctson to come back strong in 2017

Josh Doctson had a very rough 2016 season, not because he struggled to play well on the field, but because a mysterious Achilles injury kept him from practicing and playing, eventually ending his rookie season after a week 2 matchup against the Cowboys. Doctson finished the season with 31 snaps on the field, with a total of 2 catches for 66 yards. The good thing about the wide receiver position for Washington is that they have solid depth at the position even after Jackson and Garcon left; however, they had no number 1 receiver. That changed when they signed Terrelle Pryor a day into free agency, and added Brian Quick just a few days ago to solidify the depth at that position.

The latest update on Docston is that his recovery continues at a slow pace. Gruden did acknowledge Doctson’s efforts in recovery and is seemingly satisfied with how he’s come along since being shut down. By now Doctson has been cleared by trainers to run on the field, and just yesterday Doctson tweeted out that he was 100 percent, so the next step is proving to the Redskins he was worth their first selection of the 2016 draft. After the signing of Pryor, Doctson is expected to be the number 2 receiver behind Pryor, so his usage in this offense will be significant. The one thing Doctson can’t afford, even though it is not necessarily his fault, is to start off his NFL career like Chicago Bears wideout Kevin White. White who was a 2015 first round pick, has had 2 early season ending injuries, playing only 4 games in that span.

Doctson is a great talent, and his abilities will be on full display if he is able to stay healthy this year. However I am sure that he knows, just like me, that the pressure is on him this season to not only get on field but produce like a solid 2 receiver or even a 1.

So what would be an acceptable season to put the doubts out of fans head on the pick to draft a wide out that early?

Garcon and Jackson combined for 135 catches, 2,046 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 15.5 yards per reception. Big shoes to fill by one receiver obviously, but if he can get at least 40% of their yardage total (818 yards), 43% of their catch total (58 catches), and 71% of their touchdown total (5 touchdowns), he could call that a successful season.

The good thing about the Redskins and their receiver group is that it’s a young and deep group. Jamison Crowder and Maurice Harris are two young guys who have very good upsides and if the Doctson investment doesn’t work out as expected, they can take the pressure off of the first rounder.

 

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