Adrian Fedkiw
Each day leading up to the official start of the NFL football season, I will be providing you with player rankings, team previews, analysis, predictions, opinions and a whole lot more.
The red-hot Washington Redskins closed the regular season with five wins in their last six games to capture the up-for-grabs NFC East with a 9-7 mark.
Hail to the Kirk’s, you like that?!
Jay Gruden shocked everybody by naming Kirk Cousins the starter over Robert Griffin III last summer and Cousins made his head coach look like a genius, tossing 12 of his 29 touchdowns when the Redskins won the final four games. His dominant close to the season still wasn’t enough for Cousins to earn a big-time extension, he’ll be attempting to prove himself again while earning franchise tag money.
If Cousins can repeat what he did last season and with the Redskins returning 18 of 22 starters there’s no reason why Washington can’t take the division again.
Grading the Roster
QBs- Kirk Cousins (7.7), Colt McCoy (7.3)
RBs- Matt Jones (7.3), Chris Thompson (7.2), Mack Brown (7.1)
WRs- DeSean Jackson (7.6), Pierre Garcon (7.4), Josh Doctson (7.3), Jamison Crowder (7.3)
TEs- Jordan Reed (7.6), Vernon Davis (7.3)
Ts- Trent Williams (8.2), Morgan Moses (7.4), Ty Nsekhe (7.2)
Gs- Brandon Scherff (7.5), Spencer Long (7.3), Shawn Lauvao (7.3)
Cs- Kory Lichtensteiger (7.3), Austin Reiter (7.1)
DEs- Chris Baker (7.6), Ricky Jean-Francois (7.3), Kendall Reyes (7.2), Anthony Lanier (7)
NTs- Kedric Gholston (7.2), Jerrell Powe (7.2)
OLBs- Ryan Kerrigan (7.9), Preston Smith (7.3), Trent Murphy (7.3), Terence Garvin (7.1)
ILBs- Will Compton (7.2), Mason Foster (7.3), Su’a Cravens (7.2), Carlos Fields (7.1)
CBs- Josh Norman (8.2), Bashaud Breeland (7.4), Kendall Fuller (7.2), Greg Toler (7.2)
Ss- DeAngelo Hall (7.3), David Bruton (7.3), Duke Ihenacho (7.3)
K- Dustin Hopkins (7.3)
P- Tress Way (7.3)
KR- Rashad Ross (7.2)
PR- Jamison Crowder (7.3)
Team Rankings
Team- 7.350 (26/32)
Offense- 7.385 (20/32)
Defense- 7.346 (24/32)
Quarterbacks-7.5 (19/32)
Running Backs- 7.2 (32/32)
Receivers- 7.42 (13/32)
Offensive Line- 7.43 (4/32)
Defensive Line- 7.3 (11/16)
Linebackers- 7.33 (13/16)
Secondary- 7.41 (11/32)
Special Teams- 7.28
Coaches- 7.3
PREDICTION- 7-9 (3rd NFC East)
QUARTERBACKS
Kirk Cousins led the NFL in completion percentage at 69.8 percent and set a franchise record with 4,166 yards to go with 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He tossed 24 of those scores over the final 11 games to go with just three picks.
As high as his completion percentage was, Cousins did lack some consistency in the beginning of the season with some overthrows. His arm strength isn’t necessarily great, but can make all the throws. Mechanically, Cousins showcases good footwork and his balance while throwing on the run is solid.
Colt McCoy returns as Cousins’ primary backup.
RUNNING BACKS
Alfred Morris is gone following a very solid four-year run, but declined every year and Washington averaged just 3.65 yards per carry, which was 29th in the NFL.
Matt Jones has size to go with a muscular frame. He’s a downhill back, but doesn’t always maximize his yardage, although he rarely runs for anything negative. Chris Thompson is the pass catching threat coming out of the backfield.
RECEIVERS
Cousins has his fair share of options, including pass-catching tight end Jordan Reed, who is reliable when healthy. At 6’2, 237 pounds, he’s basically a wide receiver playing tight end, hauling in 87 passes for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns.
He’s got quick feet and accelerates well in and out of his breaks. He also has a good grasp of how to use the space on the field. Blocking can be a problem for Reed because he is a smaller tight end. He’s not strong enough to be at the end of the line and be asked to play power football and push defenders backwards. He’s at his best when he’s asked to crack block.
DeSean Jackson is still a speed demon and a deep threat that recorded 10 20-plus-yard receptions to go with four of them that went for over 40. Pierre Garcon hasn’t been able to replicate his 2013 campaign when he caught 113 passes for 1,346 yards and five scores. Josh Doctson was taken in the first round and is a solid route runner to go with a soft pair of hands. Jamison Crowder is another option and he comes off a solid rookie campaign.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
At 6’5, 337, Trent Williams is a beast of a man, but also possesses good feet for a man of that girth. Williams positions his hands well in pass protection and has a strong punch. He has great range using those feet, which allows him to be patient and play under control.
There used to be a time where Williams didn’t excel in the run game, he didn’t overpower using his girth the way he should have, but he took a huge leap forward last season, consistently generating movement at the point of attack. Where he’s at his best is bursting out of his stance quickly and making blocks on the second level. He also makes pulling look easy. The underrated Morgan Moses will start opposite of him at right tackle.
Last year’s No. 5 overall selection Brandon Scherff was the starter at right guard and more than held his own. He’s a road grader in the running game and plays with very good technique and hand placement. Spencer Long starts at left guards and Kory Lichtensteiger returns as the center. Shawn Lauvou provides depth at guard.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Defensive end Chris Baker is a physical player who broke out in 2015 with a career-high six sacks. He’s not crafty, he gets to the quarterback with strength and power. As a run defender, Baker has the power to hold the point of attack until he can locate the ball. And then he has the short area quickness to be able to disengage and bring down the ball carrier.
Ricky Jean-Francois will be the starter opposite of Baker. He’s a versatile player that can play all along the line. Kendall Reyes provides another option. Kedric Gholston is the starter at nose tackle and Ziggy Hood provides depth at that spot.
LINEBACKERS
Outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan was rewarded with a five-year 57.5 million dollar contract last offseason. He had 9 ½ sacks a year ago after recording 13 ½ in 2014.
He has a very quick first step, but also the power to bull rush a tackle. His motor also runs hot. Kerrigan is a reliable tackler and uses leverage to get under blocks and make plays in the run game. In the passing game, he does a very good job of knocking passes down at the line of scrimmage.
Last year’s second-round pick Preston Smith showed promise as a rookie with eight sacks. He has a lot of strength at the point of attack and uses his hands well as a pass rusher.
Will Compton and Mason Foster are the starters at inside linebacker. Foster was plucked off the waiver wire last September and filled in nicely for Perry Riley, who wound up being a salary cap casualty. Second-round rookie Su’a Cravens is another option.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
No player broke out more in 2015 at the cornerback position than Josh Norman did and the 28-year-old was rewarded with a 5-year-, 75 million dollar contract with 50 million of it guaranteed.
He was amazing in Carolina’s zone defense and his instincts and ball skills while in zone are unbelievable. He’s aggressive with his press at the line of scrimmage while playing man. Norman isn’t the best tackler and this is an area in his game where he can definitely work on.
Norman, however, struggled in Training Camp covering Jackson and many are wondering if he will live up to the contract.
Bashaud Breeland is the second corner and has been solid entering his third season. Greg Toler and third-round rookie Kendall Fuller provide depth.
The 32-year-old DeAngelo Hall is making the transition from cornerback to safety and David Bruton will start alongside of him.
TEAM PREVIEWS
AFC East: Buffalo Bills | New England Patriots | Miami Dolphins | New York Jets
AFC North: Baltimore Ravens | Cincinnati Bengals | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cleveland Browns
AFC South: Indianapolis Colts | Houston Texans | Jacksonville Jaguars | Tennessee Titans
AFC West: Denver Broncos | Kansas City Chiefs | San Diego Chargers | Oakland Raiders
NFC West: Los Angeles Rams | San Francisco 49ers | Seattle Seahawks | Arizona Cardinals
NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Atlanta Falcons | New Orleans Saints | Carolina Panthers
NFC North: Chicago Bears | Detroit Lions | Minnesota Vikings | Green Bay Packers
NFC East: New York Giants |
NFL PLAYER RANKINGS