Josh Doctson is x-factor in Redskins’ offense

His first two NFL seasons were marred by injury and inconsistency, but Josh Doctson seems ready to step up this year.

After playing just two games as a rookie in 2016, and with the free agent departures of Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, Josh Doctson had a big opportunity in front of him last year. He played all 16 games, but finished with just 35 catches for 502 yards and six touchdowns. But heading into his third season, the 22nd overall pick in the 2016 draft sounds like he’s fully healthy and ready to step up.

Speaking at OTAs this week, Doctson pointed to his washed out rookie season, getting up to speed last year with playing time and now being healthy for a full offseason.

“The biggest thing is confidence level,” Doctson said this week, via NBC Washington. “It’s kind of surreal when you first get here, then last year was my first year playing. [Last year] kind of calmed it down and now I’m just back like I was at TCU.”

Doctson had some good moments last year, most notably his six touchdowns and ability to use his size (6-foot-2, 206 pounds) to high-point the ball for contested catches. In Week 16 and Week 17 he had a total of 23 targets, but converted them to just six catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. That target volume points to a test drive for an emerging role as the Redskins’ No. 1 wide receiver though, even with Alex Smith replacing Kirk Cousins under center.

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The Redskins made a significant free agent investment in Paul Richardson this offseason, and Jamison Crowder remains as a high-volume slot receiver that Smith will surely rely on heavily. But the ceiling for Washington’s pass offense is dependent on Doctson, and his ability to become the  No.1 wide receiver he was drafted to be in his third season.