Team-by-Team Draft Recap: Washington Redskins
This article is part of our ongoing series where we provide team-by-team analysis and veteran divisional winners and losers from the NFL Draft. You can read the entire series here.
To say the Redsksins’ 2013 3-13 campaign didn’t turn out as planned would be an understatement. Â While many teams were (and still are) clearly in rebuilding mode, the Redskins, with quarterback Robert Griffin III supposedly healthy, had hoped to finish the year atop the NFC East. Â Instead, what followed was a gross overestimation of RGIII’s health and an equally gross underestimation of the team’s strength in general. Â By the end of 2014, Mike Shanahan was clearly on the ropes and won’t be returning in 2014.
The Redskins weren’t without high points on the season, however.  They did finish fifth overall in rushing yards with Alfred Morris accumulating 1,275 of those yards and seven touchdowns on 276 attempts, good for a 4.6 yards per carry average. The passing attack was mediocre, finishing 16th overall with Pierre Garcon, unsurprisingly, leading the way with 1,346 yards on 113 receptions.  The biggest issue facing the Redskins wasn’t only the health of RGIII’s repaired knee, but also the fact the second leading receiver, tight end Jordan Reed, could only muster 45 receptions and 499 yards.  Without a significant WR2 complement, it didn’t take long for opposing defenses to adjust.  To wit, following three straight weeks of 300+ passing yards to open the season, RGIII wouldn’t again eclipse the 300-yard mark before being shut down completely for the final three games of the year.
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Enter Jay Gruden as Head Coach.
The lone, or most prominent, bright spot for the Redskins in 2013 was the emergence of tight end Jordan Reed, who has now taken on an every-down role and is receiving continual praise regarding his ability, work ethic and play-making dynamic.  He’s as fast a riser in fantasy as you’re going to find coming from virtually nowhere last season.  He’ll be taken early when the second tier of tight ends start leaving the board in fantasy drafts.  Alfred Morris received 60 fewer carries as the Redskins battled from behind more often than not.  He’s still a capable runner, but with a crowded backfield and different system, it’s hard to expect more than his annual average of ten receptions in 2014.  His value is much higher in non-PPR formats, even with the new regime possibly more apt to take advantage of him as a pass catcher.
Three major things have changed that should stir up some excitement for Redskin faithful.  First is the hiring of a quarterback-minded Head Coach, who should immediately give the offense a huge shot in the arm with his blend of creativity and run-game foundation.  This addition will not only help Alfred Morris, but also allow RGIII more comfort as a pocket passer first and ‘creator’ second.  Secondly is the addition of DeSean Jackson, a much needed receiver to start across from Pierre Garcon.  Jackson won’t match the production of Garcon, but will provide a deep element that has been missing and may lead the team in touchdown receptions.  Lastly, and arguably most important, is the health of RGIII.  If his knee strength is still a question in your mind, a recent video of RGIII squatting 405 lbs. should ease any concern.  He’s practicing without a brace and is said to be looking great in camp.  It’s quite possible these three items add up to much more than the simply sum of their parts.  There’s reason to be optimistic here for any of our DC area friends.
But what about the draft?
Lacking a first round pick and having added DeSean Jackson, the Redskins saw fit to address the defensive side of the ball, given the fact their offensive skill positions are manned by young talent. Â But they did add a name or two to be mindful of in the later rounds.
Ryan Grant, WR (Round 5, #142)
Grant isn’t a receiver who will turn heads or elicit unbridled excitement.  What he is, is an intelligent, mature and hard-working player who plays bigger than is 6′ size would suggest.  Grant has sneaky speed and is a bit of a long strider, but also has quick enough feet to be elusive out of his breaks.  He’s not a receiver who will take the top off a defense and reminds me a bit of the Titans’ Kendall Wright.  What’s most impressive about Grant’s game is his ability to fight for every ball and his desire to outwork cornerbacks with balls in the air. He shows great body usage to high-point a pass and get his frame in a position to shield the defender and maximize his chances at a reception. He also possesses good hands and a high football IQ toward maximizing his strengths and minimizing his weaknesses.  He’s a high character individual who will present no problems for teammates and should impress coaches looking for effort from young players.
Grant isn’t being drafted even in deeper dynasty leagues at this point. Â The combination of being a relatively unknown combined with being somewhat buried on the Redskins’ depth chart has taken him off the radar. Â He’s a name to stay abreast of during the preseason, though.
Lache Seastrunk, RB (Round 6, #186)
It’s obvious at this point that Seastrunk would have been best served by staying for another year at Baylor.  He has natural lower-body strength and good running instincts, but prefers to bounce most plays to the outside where he relies on his somewhat middling speed.  He doesn’t show consistent willingness to square his shoulders to the line of scrimmage to pound out productive yardage, taking what’s available when the lanes or seams aren’t present. He has good balance with a good hip-swivel that provides for a solid running foundation, allowing him to take on first contact with a reasonable level of elusiveness as well.
Holding Seastrunk back in fantasy will be his inability to produce in the passing game, if history is any guide.  He’s simply not confident out of the backfield without the ball in his hands.  On a depth chart shared by accomplished North-South runner Alfred Morris, it’s hard to project anything noteworthy for Seastrunk for the near-term years to come, barring injury ahead of him. With Roy Helu Jr. a free agent in 2015, Seastrunk will have the ability to climb the ladder if he shows ability in camp.  But where Helu Jr. excels in the passing game, Seastrunk seems to be weak. The fact Seastrunk dropped more passes than he caught at Baylor has been well chronicled.
Ted Bolser, TE (Round 7, #217)
Bolser was drafted for inline blocking potential only – there’s nothing to see here and no reason to keep him on your draft list, even in deeper leagues.
SummaryÂ
I’m looking for the Redskins to surprise out of the NFC East and compete for the division title in 2014. Â The changes that have been made are extremely positive and the roster, who substantially under-performed to their ability in 2013, should come together this year. Â If the defense can modestly improve, the Redskins will be able to execute a balance offense that will work in favor of RGIII.
The offensive skill positions are filled with young talent and the veterans are young enough to be productive for years to come. Â The addition of Jay Gruden was a key piece as it was obvious the heavy hand of Mike Shanahan failed to instill confidence, energy or desire into the players. Â While he’s a first year head coach, Gruden fits the ‘Skins in more ways than one. There will be new energy in our Nation’s Capitol and plenty of reasons for optimism.
Follow me on Twitter: @DLF_Jeff
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You can find Jeff on Twitter at @dlf_jeff
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