Over the past few years the Washington Redskins have had players produce superb fantasy statistics. The majority of these players were not projected to be top performers but they outscored their average draft position (ADP) and were pivotal pieces of winning fantasy squads.
Robert Griffin III was the 13th highest drafted QB according to ESPN.com ADP, and finished as the fifth highest scoring quarterback while Alfred Morris was being drafted outside of the top 200 and finished as a top five RB 2012.
In 2013, Pierre Garcon put together a great fantasy season and led the NFL in catches with 113.
Let’s not forget about Jordan Reed’s amazing 2015 season. He was being drafted 195th according to ADP and outside the top 20 tight ends. He ultimately finished as the #2 tight end in fantasy football and crushed his ADP. This year he is typically being taken in the first 40 picks of a standard league.
Who can be this year’s Alfred Morris or Jordan Reed?
1. Jamison Crowder
The Redskins may have the deepest wide receiver core in football.
Crowder, the second year player from Duke had an all-around solid rookie season for the Skins. He carried most of the punt return duties and secured 59 receptions, which was the most ever by a Redskin rookie receiver. Although the Skins selected Josh Doctson in the first round, look for Crowder to still play a major role in three-wide sets. Doctson has already missed time with achilles’ and foot injuries and has yet to participate in a preseason game. As Pierre Garcon and Desean Jackson are both contract years, the Redskins will like to find out if Crowder can carry a starting WR role.
Due to the weak running game, Kirk will be flinging the pigskin around early and often which should open up plenty of opportunities for Crowder to shine.
This was one of Crowder’s tougher touchdown passes:
He is not even currently being drafted in the top 200 overall or top 75 WR’s according to ESPN ADP.
2. Chris Thompson, RB
Thompson will never be the lead back and carry the bulk of the carries, but will be an asset in the passing game regardless of who is primarily lining up aside Cousins. Thompson needs to improve his blocking skills to stay on the field, but he made a huge impact by catching eight balls for 89 yards in their playoff loss to the Packers. Thompson should see some carries and be on the field by default because of the injuries to Matt Jones and Keith Marshall. The Redskins will lean on the “veteran” and most experience guy they have. He will also be in the game for all of the 2-minute drill scenarios and should feast in PPR leagues as the check down man for Captain Kirk.
3. Niles Paul, TE
Keep an eye on fifth year tight end, Niles Paul. As everyone knows, Jordan Reed has had a hard time staying on the field because he has been plagued with injuries during his young career. The Redskins picked up another tight end in Vernon Davis who was on the Broncos Super Bowl winning team and is a two time pro bowler, but he will be used primarily as a blocker within the Gruden offense. Paul greatly improved in 2014 while reeling in 39 balls, and lookout for this athletic tight end if Jordan Reed goes down.
4. Dustin Hopkins, K
A kicker? Yes, you are reading that right. Hopkins was 25 out of 28 on field goal attempts. The running game is a question mark and this should lead to and spike in field goal attempts for the Skins. Earlier in the offseason Redskins special teams coach Ben Kotwica was trying to run a missed field goal coverage drill in training camp and lined Hopkins up at the 45-yard line. Hopkins went for the kick had plenty of distance to drill it from 63 yards out.
Deep Sleeper: Mack Brown RB
Mack Brown may have secured his roster spot after a breakout performance in the fourth preseason game. He ran all over the Bucs and had 149 yards on 19 carries to go along with an amazing touchdown run. He had multiple runs of 20+ yards and looked superb regardless of what defenders were playing for the Bucs. Watch out! He has a chance to emerge as the every down back from a crowded back field due to all of the injuries.
