Washington Redskins Preview 2019 – Team
With rookie quarterback Dwayne Hawkins, a huge First-Round NFL Draft pick, coming to Washington there’s hope. How fast can Hawkins get up to speed is tough to say. Case Keenum and Colt McCoy are both ready to go. But even if any one of these players can come through at QB, the fact is the receiving group is weak. The other side of the ball looks stronger, as the Redskins brings a very fine D-line to the field and two other decent units.
Washington – Offense
Fact, the QB spot’s unsettled. The top returning receivers include TE Jordan Reed (54 REC, 558 YDs, 10.3 AVG, 2 TDs) and receivers Josh Dotson (44 REC, 532 YDs, 12.1 AVG, 2 TDs) and Chris Thompson (41 REC, 268 YDs, 6.5 AVG, 1 TD). The important player in this mix is Reed who is capable of Pro Bowl level play. Thompson, a veteran, has, at times, also taken on rushing duties. RB Derrius Guice possesses a lot of potential, but a torn ACL in the first game of the 2018 preseason took him out for the year. He may or may not return. Veteran Adrian Peterson (251 ATT, 1,042 YDs, 4.2 AVG, 7 TDs), who is 33 years old, returns after posting solid numbers last year. The O-line is good and could be a sound force if they can keep their health.
Redskins – Defense
The D-line is the best thing about this team. Two of the team’s three top sackers are linemen Jonathan Allen (8 SCKs) and Matt Ioannidis (7.5 SCKs). In addition, Allen, who came from Alabama, was third in tackles (96). He, along with former Alabama frontman Daron Payne, are exceptional defenders. There’s one issue with the D-line, depth. Our Washington Redskins Preview 2019 notes that both LBs Mason Foster (168 TKLs), and Reuben Foster have a lot of potential. However, both have found themselves in the middle of controversy, with Mason secretly dissing the fan base and having those text messages made public, and Reuben undergoing a domestic violence investigation and finally being cleared. The secondary sees safety Landon Collins, who posted 93 tackles for the Giants last season, come on board. He will be an essential force. CB Josh Norman (3 INTs) could be an elite player.
Special Teams
Both the punt and kick returners need to be replaced. Those two spots are really up in the air. The trio of long snapper Nick Sundberg, placekicker Dustin Hopkins (25-26 XP, 26-29 FG), and punter Tress Way are first rate. Way placed 41 punts within the 20-yard line, while Hopkins was 12-12 on field goals under 40 yards and was 4-5 from 50-plus yards.
Washington Redskins Preview 2019 – Prediction
Obviously, quarterback issues stand to compromise this team’s offense. Also, their lack of big-play receivers, abundance of aging and/or injured running backs, and thinned O-line are all problematic. Our Washington Redskins Preview 2019 likes the defensive line, which is one of the best in the NFC. However, it does lack depth. The LB group is unsettled while the defensive backs have a lot of potential but, like other units, are thin. This will be a tough season.
Our Ratings
- Quarterbacks – 6.2
- Running Backs – 7.1
- Receivers – 6.4
- Offensive Linemen – 7.0
- Defensive Linemen – 9.2
- Linebackers – 7.1
- Secondary – 7.6
- Special Teams – 7.5
- Coaching – 7.1
