5 Washington Redskins Players Poised for a Breakout Campaign in 2015

Changes to the schemes on both sides of the ball are welcome news for two Washington Redskins starters who were underused in 2014.

A power-based running game can finally alert the rest of the NFL to one of its best fullbacks. Meanwhile, the chance to make a prominent defensive role his own can coax greater production from Washington's top draft pick a year ago.

Elsewhere, two rookies can infuse new life into an ultra-talented but so far underachieving offense. Both players can be huge assets to struggling quarterback Robert Griffin III.

Staying on that side of the ball, it's time for one more call for a dynamic and highly versatile athlete to finally realize his immense potential. If he can't do it this year, then patience will be in short supply.

One final note about this list: You'll immediately notice the absence of cornerback Bashaud Breeland and middle linebacker Keenan Robinson.

While both are primed to show the rest of the league just how good they are, Washington fans already witnessed their breakout campaigns in 2014. This list is more concerned with identifying this season's Robinson and Breeland.

Find out which five Redskins players have breakout potential for 2015.

Trent Murphy, OLB

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Trent Murphy arrived in Washington, D.C. as the prize member of Bruce Allen's draft class last year. He was also armed with the distinction of having led college football in sacks during his final season at Stanford.

His initial remit was situational work, rotating in for some snaps to help give Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo a rest. But a season-ending injury to the latter thrust Murphy into a starter's role ahead of schedule.

It's fair to say he struggled somewhat with the burden, particularly when it came to pressuring quarterbacks. Murphy logged a mere 2.5 sacks as a rookie.

He knows that number has to improve significantly during his second season. If he didn't before, he certainly does after new general manager Scot McCloughan gave Murphy a timely reminder by selecting flexible rush end Preston Smith in Round 2 of this year's draft.

But Smith's presence doesn't have to prevent Murphy from being a breakout star. For one thing, there's the obvious motivation provided by increased competition. Murphy has already been adding bulk to his frame to improve his playing strength, per an interview with Redskins Nation host Larry Michael, via Stephen Czarda of the team's official site.

Those extra pounds should also be an asset in the running game, where setting the edge is already something Murphy does well. He's also smart and capable in space.

Those qualities make him a natural fit for the team's base hybrid 3-4 front. Murphy thrived in a multiple-front scheme during his years with the Cardinal.

But the Redskins defense he joined last season was still closer to a traditional two-gap 3-4 under previous coordinator Jim Haslett. Under new play-caller Joe Barry, Murphy will have plenty of chances to make a greater impact on early downs.

If he shows some pass-rush chops from base sets, he'll ensure he stays on the field when the team shifts to a four-man nickel front. It's likely he might anyway.

One of the core aspects of Smith's game is his versatility, given his ample experience lining up inside and creating pressure along the interior. He often played both 3- and 0-technique at Mississippi State.

The Redskins worked him out at both sports during rookie minicamp, per Mike Jones of the Washington Post: "He spent time rushing out of two- and four-point stances. Several times, Smith ran stunts where he started on the right side of the line and swung all the way around to the left after the snap of the ball."

You should expect to Barry field plenty of pressure-heavy fronts that feature Murphy, Smith and Kerrigan on the field together.

Speaking of Kerrigan, the arthroscopic knee surgery that's expected to cause him to miss time during OTAs, per CSN Washington's Tarik El-Bashir, gives Murphy and Smith more chances to impress.

The former will seize his opportunity and position himself as a player Barry can't leave off the field in any situation.

Darrel Young, FB

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Darrel Young is just too good to languish in obscurity much longer. Fortunately, he shouldn't have to now that the Redskins are transitioning to a power-style running game.

McCloughan, head coach Jay Gruden and offensive lineman whisperer Bill Callahan all favor smashmouth power on the ground. One of the direct implications of that is more I-formation looks in the backfield.

That's great news for one of football's best and most undervalued fullbacks. A converted linebacker, Young is a punishing blocker who rarely leaves his target standing after initial contact. He's going to get the chance to use those skills more often on Callahan's watch.

The more time Young spends on the field, the more Gruden and offensive coordinator Sean McVay will also be tempted to use his solid skills as both a runner and receiver.

Three rushing touchdowns and two scores through the air in 2014 offer ample proof of Young's value as an offensive weapon. As a play-caller with West Coast leanings, Gruden knows how useful a highly versatile fullback can be.

He spent most of last season incorporating more I-formation looks and plays into the offense. Young's career-high 10 starts were the result.

Expect to see even more of Young leading the way for Alfred Morris and company in 2015. By the end of the new season, this hidden gem won't be hidden any longer.

Matt Jones, RB

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You know the Redskins are serious about pounding the ball after they added bruising workhorse Matt Jones alongside three-time 1,000-yard rusher Morris. The rookie taken in the third round faces a tall order supplanting Morris altogether, but that won't stop him from making a major impact.

Jones already fits the type of running backs McCloughan has favored in the past. He's in the Frank Gore mold as a tireless, brute-force grinder between the tackles.

That's the way Washington's running game is headed, and the 6'2", 231-pound Jones fits the new look like a glove. He's also not lacking in confidence, having already made it clear Morris is now in a competition for carries, per Zac Boyer of the Washington Times.

With Morris set to be a free agent in 2016 and facing the challenge of a first year outside the zone scheme that Mike Shanahan used to make him a star, this could be a closer competition than many think.

ESPN.com's John Keim believes the very fact McCloughan used a third-round pick at the position indicates the team wants something else from its running game. As a prime-evil battering ram, Jones can certainly provide it.

While it's far too early to write Morris off or even suggest a total changing of the guard, it's safe to assume Jones will get plenty of carries as a rookie. Behind a bigger, nastier line, bulked up by the addition of fifth overall pick Brandon Scherff, Jones can make a real impact with those carries.

In the process, this more natural power-style runner will create a major debate about who should lead the way on the ground for the burgundy and gold.

Jamison Crowder, WR

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Adding big plays to the one position currently missing from the offense is enough to make any player who wins the job as slot receiver a breakout candidate this season.

So fourth-round pick Jamison Crowder merits a place on this list even after offering the briefest flash of his talent. He has made a positive impression during rookie OTAs.

His ability to make covering defenders look foolish thanks to quick cuts and shifty running after the catch caught Gruden's eye, per 247Sports.com's Jamie Oakes. Gruden sees Crowder as an ideal fit for working in the slot.

The rookie has the explosive qualities to win any battle against Andre Roberts and Ryan Grant. Crowder can give Washington's passing game a roving pass-catcher who will win consistently underneath, as well as stretch the seams vertically.

Nobody will be more thankful for that type of outlet than Griffin. He desperately needs a dependable pair of hands he can target with quick, safe throws to beat pressure.

Of course, while Crowder may already look the part, he is still just a rookie—an untested one at that. But one factor in his favor, in terms of reaching his potential in Year 1, is Gruden's history with this type of wideout.

As offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, Gruden made 5'7", 180-pound slot specialist Andrew Hawkins a useful foil in a passing game otherwise dominated by big-bodied burner A.J. Green.

Gruden moved Hawkins around formations and crafted a host of ways to get him the ball in space. It was a dynamic that produced 51 catches and a career-best four touchdowns for the diminutive flanker in 2012.

Expect Gruden to have similar plans in store for Crowder—plans that could make the 5'8", 185-pound mini-marvel a first-year sensation.

Jordan Reed, TE

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Washington's offense could boast perhaps the best "move" tight end in the game, provided Jordan Reed ever makes the grade. Sadly, the brittle third-round pick in 2013 can't stay healthy and also struggles for consistency—two problems that tend to go together.

It's a real shame considering Reed is a natural-born "roving Y." He's a wide receiver trapped in the body of a tight end, one who can beat coverage at every level of a defense.

Reed can be split out wide, flexed into the slot and even aligned in the backfield. Wherever he starts a play, his awesome takeoff speed, subtle cuts and leaping ability make him a big-play threat with the ball in his hands.

But he has made just 11 starts in two seasons while also missing 12 games through injury. When he's available he alternates between brilliant and anonymous.

For an illustration of the discrepancies in Reed's performances, consider his game log for 2014, via NFL.com. After returning from injury in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals, Reed embarked on a three-game run that included 20 catches for 186 yards. But his next two outings produced a mere three grabs for 39 yards.

A mini-revival followed when Reed helped himself to nine catches for 123 yards against the Indianapolis Colts. But he failed to top three receptions in any of his next three games. Finally, he ended the season with nine catches for 70 yards against bitter foe the Dallas Cowboys.

Get the picture yet? Reed's production is just all over the map.

Even allowing for Washington's merry-go-round at quarterback in 2014, Reed simply has to be more consistent. He should be a feature of Gruden's offense considering how well the coach used tight ends such as Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifert in Cincinnati.

Gruden's use of the position and Reed's natural athletic talents are why he's still a breakout contender. But he'll be on a short shrift after Niles Paul's emergence as a useful "Joker-style" tight end last season. It can't have escaped Reed's notice the Redskins went to the trouble of bringing Paul back during free agency.

Reed is likely facing his last chance to deliver on his tremendous potential.

These five players are strong candidates to take advantage of the new direction the franchise is being steered toward by McCloughan. It's most obvious in how the schemes will alter on both sides of the ball.

That's great news for Jones, Murphy and Young. Meanwhile, Crowder and Reed can fill niche roles on an offense that's just competent quarterback play short of regularly lighting up scoreboards.