NFL power rankings: Training camp edition
By Brad Weiss
Washington Redskins
, NFC East
The Washington Redskins offseason featured a bunch of ups and downs, as most of the attention was on their starting quarterback, and their general manager. The team relieved Scot McCloughan of GM duties back in March, in a move that was surprising by many standards. Unable to come to an agreement on a long-term deal, quarterback Kirk Cousins will once again play under the franchise tag in 2017, leaving the organization with a huge question mark at the position following the season.
On offense, the Redskins lost their top two wide receivers to free agency, but did a decent job filling the void left by the departure of Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson. Terrell Pryor joins the team, as does Brian Quick, giving Cousins decent weapons at the wide receiver position once again in 2017. Robert Kelley is the unquestioned running back, as Matt Jones time with the team is coming to an end, and rookie Samaje Perine should be able to provide nice depth at the position.
The 2017 NFL Draft was nice to the Redskins, who got Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen later in round one than he was expected to go. In the second round, they grabbed his teammate, linebacker Ryan Anderson, who is a dynamic presence on the outside. UCLA cornerback Fabian Moreau should also get plenty of playing time as a rookie, joining the super talented Josh Norman on the outside in the secondary.
The Redskins are only one year removed from winning the NFC East, and they do have enough talent to challenge for a playoff spot in 2017. Cousins is going to have a solid season, and the additions on the defensive side of the ball should reap the benefits early. We will get a good look at this team early, as three of their first four games feature the Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, and Philadelphia Eagles.