NFL power rankings: Who is biggest threat to Patriots?
By Brad Weiss
Washington Redskins
, NFC East
All offseason, the question has been whether or not the Washington Redskins are going to lock Kirk Cousins up to a long-term deal. Well, that did not happen this Summer, and he will now play the 2017 under the franchise tag for the second straight year. The organization has said they plan to make him a long-term offer after the season, but the San Francisco 49ers could be the destination for the Pro Bowl quarterback.
In 2017, Cousins will be without most of his weapons from last season, as the team let go of DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon. They did bring in Terrell Pryor Sr. to soften the blow, and he did show last season he can be a big-time playmaker. Tight end Jordan Reed came off the PUP list on Sunday, and gives Cousins a reliable threat to open up the middle of the defense.
On defense, the team will be led by Ryan Kerrigan and Josh Norman, two players who play at a Pro Bowl level each season. The NFC East is going to be a tough division in 2017, but the Redskins do have the talent on both sides of the ball to challenge for the division once again. They won the division back in 2015, and nearly earned a playoff spot last season, so they are not that far off.
Robert Kelley will shoulder the workload at running back, but expect to see not only Chris Thompson, but also rookie Samaje Perine. Perine was a beast of a running back during his time at Oklahoma, and gives the Redskins a nice change of pace. Keep an eye on fellow rookies Ryan Anderson and Jonathan Allen, both Alabama products who should make a big impact in year one for the Skins.