The Washington Redskins receiving corps experienced great turnover this offseason, but the group might not be getting enough respect.
Just one year ago, the Washington Redskins and their plethora of offensive weapons were the envy of the league. In DeSean Jackson, the Redskins had the NFL’s premier deep threat. The ever-reliable Pierre Garcon was always present to bail out his quarterback for the tough catches. Then there was tight end Jordan Reed — arguably the league’s top tight end not named Rob Gronkowski — and slot receiver Jamison Crowder.
As a group last year, those four combined for 268 receptions, 3,579 yards and 20 touchdowns. Unfortunately for Washington, Jackson and Garcon departed for bigger paydays and took 135 receptions and 2,046 yards with them.
In response to losing both of their 1,000-yard receivers from a year ago, the Redskins signed Terrelle Pryor to a one-year deal worth up to $8 million. Pryor, the former star quarterback at Ohio State, had a breakout season with the Browns in 2016 as a wide receiver. It was Pryor’s first full year at receiver and he flourished. In Cleveland, he caught 77 passes for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns.
Signing Pryor was an outstanding move for Washington. He’s a huge target with blazing speed and still learning how to play the position. Add in last year’s first-round pick, Josh Doctson, and the Redskins appear to be just fine at wide receiver.
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Bleacher Report’s Doug Farrar doesn’t share that belief.
In a piece Farrar wrote last week, he ranked every NFL team’s wide receiver corps and listed the Redskins at No. 26. Yes, No. 26. Behind teams such as the Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans and the Carolina Panthers.
The Vikings, led by Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, ranked eight spots higher than the Redskins. Nothing against Diggs and Thielen as both players proved to be nice receivers last year. However, does either of them strike fear into a defense?
Meanwhile, the Redskins have some serious talent at wide receiver and tight end. There are Reed and Crowder, both of whom opposing defenses struggle to handle. The Redskins — and everyone else — know all about Reed and Crowder. It’s Pryor and Doctson who could be the wild cards.
In Pryor, Washington has a 6-4, 223-pound receiver who can run the 40 in under 4.4 seconds. He proved in Cleveland last year, with horrendous quarterback play, that he can run all types of routes and make the tough catches. Washington’s offense will require more discipline as it pertains to routes. Pryor is certainly putting in the time, and his ceiling is immense
The same can also be said for Doctson. Last year’s first-round pick, Doctson caught only two passes his rookie year and missed most of the season with pain in Achilles tendon. So far this offseason, Doctson appears perfectly healthy and has consistently been on the practice field for the Redskins.
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If Doctson stays healthy and plays to his potential, Washington will not miss Garcon and Jackson as badly as most think. Pryor, who is blazing fast, will be counted upon more on the shorter breaking routes. Doctson, who isn’t nearly as fast as Pryor or the departed Jackson, is an outstanding deep-ball receiver. Not only does he have outstanding size, he uses his body well and always high-points the football.
Head coach Jay Gruden recently spoke about Pryor and quarterback Kirk Cousins hooking up on some deep stuff as they adjusted to one another, per John Keim of ESPN.com.
"We have underthrown him like a dozen times in two weeks. It’s just a matter of the quarterbacks getting used to it. Once he gets his feet churning, he’s fast, so they’ve got to trust that he’s going to go get it. It’s just a timing deal. They’ve got to understand, they’ve got to really stick that back foot in the ground and launch it for him because he will go get it."
This offense could once again be special if Pryor and Doctson become well-rounded receivers.
For all of the talk about Pryor, Doctson, Reed and Crowder, the Redskins also have some other talented pass-catchers. Backup tight ends Vernon Davis and Niles Paul are dangerous, too. A former Pro-Bowler, Davis had a resurgent year in 2016 after returning to his hometown team. He’s also had a strong offseason. Paul, a former wide receiver, has had his share of moments over the years.
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Farrar’s hesitancy with this group is understandable. He doesn’t know how Pryor will adjust to playing in Washington in a more structured offense. There are also questions about Doctson’s health. However, to say they are one of the worst units in the league is, well, just not true.