Washington Redskins: 5 players who must improve in 2018

1. Josh Doctson

Jamison Crowder led the Redskins with 66 receptions last year, and Paul Richardson is at least a theoretical upgrade in a free agency swap over Ryan Grant. But when analyzing if the Washington passing game (or maybe the entire offense) reached its full potential this year, Doctson will be the barometer.

Doctson was the third wide receiver taken in the 2016 draft (22nd overall), then he was limited to just two games as a rookie. Health was not an issue last year, as he played all 16 games, but Doctson’s production was not that exciting (35 catches for 502 yards and six touchdowns) as consistency was a problem.

With a fully healthy season under his belt, Doctson professed an increase in confidence during recent OTAs. Redskins’ head coach Jay Gruden has also pointed to more opportunities on 50-50 balls this year with Smith under center, which would play directly to Doctson’s size (6-foot-2) and leaping ability to make contested catches.

Over the last two games of 2017, Doctson was targeted 23 times (13 in Week 16, 10 in Week 17). A total of six catches for 98 yards and a touchdown over that span leaves a lot to be desired, but that target volume (even with a different quarterback) feels like a test run for Doctson to be Washington’s No. 1 wide receiver.

Next: Oakland Raiders: 5 players who must improve in 2018

A third-year breakout for NFL wide receivers has almost become cliché’, driven largely by fantasy football, and it still holds up in some situations as second-year emergers at wide receiver have become common too. Depending on how his mostly washed-out rookie season is viewed, Doctson can fit either profile as a 2018 breakout candidate and the Redskins will be counting on it.