Back in early 2019, the Washington Redskins had more questions than answers regarding various skill positions. The excessive number of injuries was, in part, responsible for this although there were certainly other reasons. But since the team recently finished this year’s three-day mandatory minicamp, at least a few of the groups have come more into focus.
Would pass-catchers Paul Richardson and Trey Quinn return to form after their injuries? Would Josh Doctson grow into the player envisioned when drafted in the first round in 2016?
As well, the secondary position developed question marks after 2018 ended. There was no way to know who would start at safety beside new bruiser Landon Collins because Montae Nicholson’s status was in question what with his December 2018 arrest for assault. And veteran Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was not re-signed after least year so there was no clear No. 2 starter.
At the end of 2018, CB Quinton Dunbar was still dealing with the pinched nerve in his hamstring from which he’d been suffering since Week 7. Would DB Fabian Moreau be healthy by the 2019 offseason activities? When he was added to the Redskins roster in 2017, he was already suffering from a pectoral injury sustained on his Pro Day. Then last year, he sustained an ankle injury in October and then a knee in December. How well would he be moving by OTAs and minicamps? Adonis Alexander, the Redskins 2018 Supplemental Draft selection, has all the physical tools to play the position but much to prove.
There are other questions still, to be sure (the situation with All-Pro LT Trent Williams is a serious one that will not be resolved by coaching or getting into football shape and the QB competition will not be decided until well into training camp). Granted, OTAs and minicamps are not nearly on the level of actual training camp in terms of workload… but much can be gleaned about players’ overall talent and competitiveness during the early offseason activities.
Fortunately, some of the questions and concerns are becoming less blurry after the team’s recent batch of activities.
1. Wide Receiver
While Richardson has not participated in the same number of drills as the other wideouts, he spoke to a few of us this week and said that he feels great. This is a big deal because, by the time the 2018 season ended, there was no healthy No. 1 receiver. Along with Doctson, there will be a lot of pressure on the former Seattle Seahawk to perform up to his contract.
Doctson made some notable catches during these past three days of mandatory minicamp and, during one; showed impressive effort in a 50-50 jump ball thrown by QB Case Keenum for which the receiver had to battle Norman to secure. There were times during the 2018 regular season when effort on the wideout’s part might have been questioned so this is good news for the position. Perhaps this next year will show marked development and opportunity for him.
As well, rookie WR Terry McLaurin and 2018 UDCFA Cam Sims have both also made some remarkable receptions during drills and McLaurin’s 4.3-40 speed and 6-5 Sims’ size have been apparent. Each have attributes that Washington needs at WR.
Sixth-round wideout Kelvin Harmon made a nice catch Wednesday and last year’s Mr. Irrelevant, Trey Quinn, has been all over the field even though most folks see him as a slot receiver.
In a nutshell, were Richardson, Doctson, McLaurin, Sims and Quinn to remain healthy and continue their development; they could make up the team’s 2019 receiving corps plus one or two.
2. Safety
Collins is a no-brainer at starting safety but the question of Nicholson’s availability was finally answered in May when the assault charges against him were dropped. He has the right speed and range to complement Collins’ strength and smarts. During this week’s team activities, the two were communicating well and, adding in hybrid LB/S Josh Harvey-Clemons (who has looked good) and the dependable Deshazor Everett, at least a few position questions can almost be put to bed.
3. Cornerback
Quinton Dunbar has been participating in drills this week and has said he feels 100% healthy. He moves like he does. While he did get up rather slowly from an awkward fall during a play today, he remained on the field and coach Jay Gruden didn’t mention him during his post-walkthrough press conference.
Having ‘Dunny’ healthy in 2019 is significant because he was playing well before he went down last season. Out there with veteran Josh Norman, the duo solidifies the position. But one player that has been impressive is JMU alum and 2019 draft pick, Jimmy Moreland. Despite his not-so-huge stature (he is 5-10), the former Duke has been a thorn in all the QBs and WRs sides that he has gone up against all three days of minicamp. For a guy his size, his vertical leap has been bigger than his 39-inch Pro Day result and his 4.4-40 speed has been evident.
Combine the players mentioned above with Fabian Moreau (the Redskins 2017 third-round draft pick), veteran Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Danny Johnson and Adonis Alexander; and there’s no question that the cornerback position is in better shape than was thought three months ago.
“You know, obviously out here people don’t have the luxury of watching us out here… [there’s] a lot of the naysayers [so] to speak,” Gruden said today about the perceptions of his wide receiver group. “The people that are critical of our team or what have you, they don’t see these guys work every day like we do. The way Josh Doctson continues to come on, what Terry [McLaurin] has done as a rookie already the amount of plays he’s made, Trey Quinn with his ability to play in the slot and play outside; even Cam Sims coming back from his injury. Kelvin Harmon, his size and ability to pick up this offense pretty good. Paul [Richardson Jr.] is not even out here… just on a limited basis. But we know what he brings to this team when he’s healthy. So, I think it’s a great group, I really do. It’s a great group because they’re different and they can do different things. They’ve got the speed with Paul and Terry, bust you down the field. We have the size and the strength. Terry is also big and Kelvin and obviously Josh with underneath routes and Trey working the underneath stuff. We haven’t even talked about Jordan Reed part of that group and Vernon Davis. I think it’s a great group to have, a great group to work with.”