Redskins Position Group Breakdown: Wide Receivers
At the receiver position, the Redskins have seemingly been a mini receiver factory for a couple of years now. This year is no different, as the Redskins have a few young guys in the wings this year as well now that Pierre Garcon and Desean Jackson have left for San Francisco and Tampa Bay respectively. If healthy, the top 3 receivers are set in stone with Josh Doctson, Jamison Crowder, and Terrelle Pryor Sr.
Top of the depth chart:
Pryor is heading into a critical year for himself. He signed a 1-year deal after turning down a multi-year offer from Cleveland, betting on himself to prove he’s worth #1 receiver money. In 2016, which was his first year as a 16 game starting wide out, he put up 77 catches for 1007 receiving yards. So Pryor will get his opportunity here, with a solid system and quarterback to prove his worth as a receiver.
Crowder is a rising star, and one of the better slot receivers in the NFL already. Crowder’s route running, hands, vision, and return ability undoubtedly makes him the team’s top weapon at the position. There’s a lot to look forward to with Crowder after the major leap forward he took from his rookie to sophomore season.
Doctson is heading into a big year for not just himself like Pryor, but for the team’s sake as well. The Achilles injury was a mystery to everyone, including Doctson. Nobody really understood why he couldn’t play through the pain, or why the pain wouldn’t subside, and the receiver ended his rookie year on injured reserve. For Doctson, staying healthy is the biggest issue, but the second thing critical to Doctson’s development as a pro is just getting use to the pro game. Although Doctson played 2 games as a rookie, he’s still essentially a rookie.
Who’ll be fighting for a roster spot?
Following the top 3 receivers on the team is a battle for roster spots. 4-year pro Ryan Grant along with Maurice Harris, Brian Quick, Kendal Thompson, and Robert Davis will be fighting for the 4 and 5 spots at the position.
Although Grant is not popular with the fan base, he is applauded by the coaching staff and head coach Jay Gruden. The issue with Grant isn’t practice, but translating his practice efforts into game efforts. His hands should not be questioned; however, his ability to separate and ability to stay on his feet while cutting on routes should be. It’s those two issues that makes him and Cousins appear as if they lack chemistry on the field. Grant is getting his opportunities, though, at least early on in 2017. He’s been in a starting role this off-season thus far and it’s on him to make the most of it heading into training camp as well.
Former Ram Brian Quick is a big bodied receiver, with some speed. The 6-year pro has been pretty inconsistent during his Rams tenure, although he is coming off his best year as a pro. This opportunity with the Redskins provides him with a similar opportunity as Pryor, and Quick needs to prove he can be more consistent as a receiver.
Maurice Harris, Kendall Thompson, and Robert Davis rounds out the players likely to earn that 4th and 5th receiver spot on the depth chart. Harris is a very solid player, and still growing. His hands, awareness, and ability to get open in critical downs is lauded by many and makes him a solid asset for this team. Thompson is a converted receiver who played quarterback in college. Robert Davis is a rookie receiver who’s another big target for quarterbacks in this offense. The two are the most inexperienced in the group so their battle to make the final 53 will be a greater one than the other mentioned. It may come down to special teams with these two, and perhaps Harris as well.
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