The Redskins are down two big-name receivers in DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, but they might actually be better off in the red zone, according to some numbers crunching by Raymond Summerlin of Rotoworld. Jackson and Garcon combined to catch just two touchdowns on 24 red zone targets in 2016 and that helps to explain why the Redskins had one of the worst TD rates in the red zone as a team. Meanwhile, newcomer Terrelle Pryor converted on 30.8% of his red zone looks last year, including 3-of-4 inside the 10-yard line. Josh Doctson is something of an unknown after injuries stripped away his rookie season, but he was drafted in part because of his ability to catch the football through traffic. The Redskins may have lost some star power at wide receiver, but they could have more chances to find paydirt with the revamped group.
Here’s more from D.C.:
- Does Kirk Cousins deserve to be the highest paid quarterback in the NFC East? While he doesn’t have the resume of Eli Manning or perhaps the same kind of upside as Dak Prescott and Carson Wentz, he has proven himself over the last two years and is right in his quarterback prime, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com argues. Opinions on Cousins may vary, but I personally don’t think a $24MM salary is out of line for Cousins. The fact of the matter is that he would have garnered a monster multi-year deal with an even higher average annual salary this offseason if he were allowed to explore free agency unencumbered.
- With Robert Kelley, Samaje Perine, and Chris Thompson as locks to make the Redskins’ roster, running backs Mack Brown and Keith Marshall find themslves on the bubble, CSNMidAtlantic.com’s Rich Tandler writes. Brown has shown coaches that he has ability, but if the Redskins carry four tight ends, they could wind up keeping only three RBs. Meanwhile, Marshall is something of a longshot to make the 53-man roster if the other four stay healthy, but could wind up back on the practice squad. While Brown and Marshall fight for a spot, Matt Jones continues to sit in limbo.
Just sign the man…