The Washington Redskins made the jump from worst to first in the NFC East, earning nine wins compared to the four they had in the year prior.
A big reason for their success comes from the level of play their 2015 draft class exuded throughout the season. In all, six rookies that general manager Scot McCloughan added to the team, whether it be through the draft or as a free agent, played significant roles for the Washington Redskins.
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I find it truly impressive that the Redskins managed to win the division and earn a playoff berth with that many rookies contributing. Brandon Scherff, the team’s first round pick last season, was an instant contributor, teaming up with tackle Morgan Moses to secure the right side of the offensive line.
Scherff’s contributions to the Redskins was huge, and he really seemed to pick up steam down the stretch. It seemed as if he was starting to get the professional game as the team was putting together their four game win-streak at the end of the year, he began to maul and manhandle defensive players in the trenches.
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Scherff, at 24 years old, should only get better from here on out, which is a good sign for Washington. His strength, willingness to learn, and overall tenacity should prove to be great weapons for the young offensive lineman moving forward. If he and Moses continue to improve, the Redskins will likely have one of the more dependable right sides in the entire league.
While pass-protection is an important part of any team, rushing the passer is equally as important, which brings me to Washington’s selection in the second round of last year’s NFL draft. The team chose outside linebacker Preston Smith, a strong, lengthy pass-rusher out of Mississippi State.
Smith had a spectacular rookie year, recording 20 tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. The 23-year-old linebacker recorded five of those sacks during the last three games of the year, and recorded an additional sack in the team’s playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Scherff and Smith both played nearly lights out football in 2015, but the success of the Washington Redskins’ most recent draft class doesn’t stop there. Third round selection Matt Jones also played well in his rookie campaign, as he churned out 490 yards and three touchdowns on the ground with an additional 19 receptions for 304 yards and a touchdown in the passing game.
With Alfred Morris‘ time with the team potentially coming to an end, it’s likely that Jones will take on a larger role in 2016 and beyond. At only 22 years of age, Jones has ample time to improve all aspects of his game. Speaking of young players on the offensive side of the ball, the Redskins also added a talented wideout in the 2015 draft.
Washington selected wide receiver Jamison Crowder with the 105th overall pick in the fourth round, a pick that has since proven to be a steal. The Duke product set a team record for receptions by a rookie, as he hauled in 59 catches for 604 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The shifty wideout has shown that he has the ability to succeed at the next level, especially if he’s given the opportunity to work out of the slot.
The four players I’ve listed all played significant roles in Washington’s success. The last two rookies that I’ll be looking at in this piece reside in the secondary, the players are Kyshoen Jarrett, a sixth round selection, and Quinton Dunbar, an undrafted wideout turned cornerback.
The two rookie defensive backs served as important players in the Redskins’ secondary down the stretch. Jarrett, like Dunbar, spent much of his time playing cornerback for Washington’s injury-riddled secondary. The young players proved to be solid but raw; their level of play should improve in the offseason, and I believe that both players will be important for the defense in 2016 and beyond.
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Like the rest of the players listed, Jarrett and Dunbar still have a lot to learn about the NFL game. If they are allotted an ample amount of time to progress and learn, the sky’s the limit for them and the rest of the rookie class. Drafting and developing good football players is at the heart of any successful football team, and Washington is no different.
If the Redskins are to become a perennial playoff team, they’ll have to adequately develop their young players and continue to draft well into the future. The 2015 draft class was a good start, but work is far from over for Scot McCloughan and the Washington Redskins.