Fansided

Redskins’ rebuild centers around Dwayne Haskins

By Jacob Camenker

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 08: Quarterback Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins passes during the second half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Redskins 30-10. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 08: Quarterback Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins passes during the second half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Redskins 30-10. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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In a transitional season for the Washington Redskins, everything is about how Dwayne Haskins plays once he gets the starting gig.

Best-case scenario

If the Redskins can stay healthy, they should have a top-10 defense and a ground-heavy attack offensively. If the starting quarterback can be efficient as Alex Smith was last season, they should have a chance to emerge as a wild card contender. After all, they were 6-3 last season before Smith went down and are largely returning the same roster, give or take a few pieces.

So, if the offense can do enough and the team stays healthy, they could get to a 9-7 mark.

Worst-case scenario

The Redskins could once again suffer a catastrophic amount of injuries, as they have in each of the past two seasons. They lack overall roster depth needed to combat injuries.

Beyond that, the offense is an issue if the left side of the offensive line continues to have problems blocking or if Case Keenum and Dwayne Haskins can’t keep the offense afloat. They lack receiving weapons so if they become a one-dimensional, run-heavy team, it’ll get ugly.

At their floor, this team could be a bottom-barrel team with a 3-13 record.

Confidence level (Low, medium or high)

Low.

There seems to be a lack of excitement surrounding the Redskins this year despite adding a first-round quarterback in Haskins. They have little depth and minimal offensive weaponry. And if Haskins isn’t ready to be a functional NFL starter, the upside is capped, as Keenum may struggle to elevate his supporting cast. While the defense looks good, they still have issues at inside linebacker and the lack of depth could make any injury a problem.

X-Factor

Two of them. Trent Williams and Haskins.

Williams is holding out and if he doesn’t return, that could make the team’s left tackle spot a weakness for the first time in 40 years. Meanwhile, Haskins has potential and upside, as the first-round rookie was prolific in his lone season starting at Ohio State. That said, his ability to impact the team will be about his ability to overtake Keenum in time.

Turning point

The Redskins have a brutal five-game stretch to start the season, facing the Eagles, Bears, Cowboys, and Patriots, all teams that made the playoffs.

The only team that didn’t make the postseason is the divisional-rival Giants, and that will be an away game in Week 4. If the Redskins can get to Week 6 with at least a 2-3 record, their matchup with the Miami Dolphins could be a turning point for them. The Dolphins are one of the weaker teams in the league, and if the team can win there, they could spark themselves over the course of a much more favorable seven-week span (Dolphins, 49ers, Vikings, Bills, BYE, Jets, and Lions) and get back into wild card contention.

Best moment in team history

It’s impossible to forget John Riggins running behind The Hogs for a fourth-down, fourth-quarter, 43-yard touchdown run against the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII. It proved to be the winning score, giving Washington the first of its three Super Bowl titles. The play call, “70 Chip,” has gone down in Redskins lore and is the favorite play of many fans.