Washington Redskins: Top 10 Fantasy Football Players

Sundays in the fall and winter are for the Washington Redskins. Following the Redskins, fantasy football soon consumes my life as I anxiously watch NFL RedZone, which may be the best channel ever invented, awaiting updates on my starting roster. What turned into a fun hobby has soon transformed into myself obsessing over the waiver wire on Tuesday morning. Fantasy championships are won in free agency, by the way.

And when it comes to having Redskins players on your team, it’s extremely difficult. I have been “Shanahaned” more often than not—you all should know what I’m talking about. For example, starting someone like Ryan Torain after a week of practice with the first team, and then he gets five carries for a total of nine yards while second-string Roy Helu, Jr. gets a 20-carry game.

However, with the overhaul of offensive talent this offseason, the Redskins finally have some tantalizing prospects in the fantasy football world.

So I don’t have to explain it again, I should probably describe what a “PPR League” is. PPR stands for points per reception, in which a receiver earns a point per catch, thus the value of pass-catchers increases substantially.

And now I’m going to give a preview of the top 10 fantasy players on the roster, starting with No. 10.

10. Chris Cooley

I would be shocked if this were to happen, but Fred Davis is one failed drug test away from a yearlong suspension. If Cooley comes back healthy finally, he can still contribute to this offense.

Cooley is a former Pro Bowler and arguably the best tight end in Redskins history. However, we’re going on three years in the Kyle Shanahan offense and he has yet to incorporate both tight ends in his system.

I don’t consider Cooley the drafting type, but if anything were to happen to Davis he could be a good free-agent pickup.

9. Evan Royster

It’s hard to gauge what is expected of Evan Royster this year, especially when it comes to fantasy scoring. For one, he’s a running back. Tim Hightower was re-signed and Shanahan seems to love the veteran back.

It could be similar to what happened last year with Royster, using him late in the season. I wouldn’t flirt with drafting Royster either. Taking a wait-and-see approach will be the best strategy with the second-year running back from Penn State.

8. Leonard Hankerson

I want this number to be lower. He has the highest potential out of anyone of the receiving corps. A lot of that has to do with the fact that we haven’t seen a lot of him yet, and thus I’m enthralled with the possibilities.

That being said, he’s got a long way to go. Pierre Garcon will be the No. 1 receiver, Josh Morgan most likely will be the starter alongside Garcon as Hankerson recovers, and Santana Moss will be working the slot.

Once again, I would avoid drafting Leonard Hankerson or maybe use your last pick. The potential is certainly there and could pay dividends later on. However, he'll likely be available later in free agency.

7. Tim Hightower

I don’t know how to accurately assess Tim Hightower. He could very well be the opening-day starter or his knee injury could be worse than we imagined.

Is he worth drafting? Probably towards the end of your draft, especially if you are in a league of 10 or more teams; this could answered easier once we see his production come preseason.

That all being considered, Hightower can still have some value; he’s great as a receiver out of the backfield (pay attention, PPR fantasy owners) and may be the team’s best goal-line back.

6. Santana Moss

Let’s say you are in a PPR league (which I highly recommend, by the way—it makes standard leagues boring) and two years ago Santana Moss was a top selection.  Those dinky five-yard passes accrued over the season.

Me being the unrealistic Redskins fan that I am, I took Santana rather early in last year’s draft, expecting a repeat of his 2010-2011 season. Well, that didn’t happen.

Moss wasn’t able to get it going last year as his age crept up on him. Moss is not going to have the same role he’s had in the previous years, and he won’t and shouldn’t be an every-down receiver anymore, where he can redefine himself in the slot. Despite what appears to be an important role of the Kyle Shanahan offense, I don’t see high value for Santana in regards to fantasy football.

I would take a wait-and-see approach with Moss, especially in a PPR league, where Robert Griffin III might be throwing it 40 times a game.

5. Josh Morgan

When it comes down to it, we really don’t know what to expect of Josh Morgan. Is he going to start opposite of Garcon? Is he fourth on the depth chart as Hankerson develops into the starter?

We really don’t know for sure, but at this moment Morgan is a safe choice to be a starter. With that said, we all know the Redskins offense will be throwing the ball a lot.

Morgan appears to be the standard possession receiver on the offense, similar to Jabar Gaffney’s role on the team last year. So if he’s going be a Gaffney-type receiver then expect moderate results.

Once again, it all depends on your league. Are you in a 10-12 team league? Then yes, Josh Morgan has good value towards the later rounds.

4. Roy Helu

I would have Helu higher on this list if he weren’t a running back that’s a part of the Redskins scheme. Given his versatility as a runner and receiver, Helu could put up major numbers, especially in a PPR.

However, we don’t know how often he is going to be used. As mentioned before, Mike Shanahan's starting running back is classified information.

So where does that leave the former Nebraska product? I envision a mid- to late-round selection for him. If he’s going to get playing time, I wouldn’t hesitate to start him; frustratingly, that’s the aspect we have yet to discover.

3. Pierre Garcon

I believe Pierre Garcon is going to be a big hit-or-miss type of fantasy player. Garcon was signed this offseason to stretch the field. Last year’s offense lacked big plays and yards after the catch.

He will not need to catch a lot of balls throughout the season, but when he does catch he’s going to make plays, which is why he’ll be inconsistent when it comes to fantasy football.

Sure, he’s going to have some long touchdown receptions, but that’s not going to happen every game, which explains my reluctance towards the talented receiver.

Will Garcon be drafted? Yes, in almost every league; and similar to his other teammates, he won’t go higher than a mid-round selection.

Disclaimer: Don’t let my prediction seem negative. The Redskins have never had a top-tier fantasy threat, excluding a couple Clinton Portis years.

2. Fred Davis

Obviously Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Gates are all going to be selected before Davis. With the expectation of a highly motivated Fred Davis, he’s going to put up monster numbers if he plays like he should.

He’ll be the team’s best red-zone threat, thus increasing his value for touchdown catches, and will predictably lead the team overall receptions.

A major factor in this is RG3. Typically, a rookie quarterback’s security blanket is the tight end, and it just so happens Davis is one of the most talented players on the roster.

After being given the franchise tag this offseason, this is a make-or-break year for the tight end.

In regards to the draft, most tight ends are not selected until the middle or late rounds of fantasy drafts. With the statistical explosion of tight ends this past year, it wouldn’t surprise me if the position as a whole is targeted earlier on.

1. Robert Griffin III

Is this too bold of a move? I don’t think so. We all know the Redskins are going to be throwing the ball this year. Despite the poor record that has been displayed upon Mike Shanahan’s arrival, his receivers are open.

The Redskins really haven’t had an athlete like this, who is expected to put up good numbers in the air and will also be using his legs.

Even though he’s not on a Drew Brees, Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers level, Cam Newton was a fantasy football Pro Bowler last year. I don’t see why RG3 can’t do the same, especially with talented offensive players to work with.

Also, the Redskins offensive line is poor, and what’s even more maddening about that is 'Skins they go against some of the best pass-rushers week after week. Griffin will be scrambling a lot, and thus the former track star will be earning his yards on the ground.

From a football standpoint, I don’t want RG3 doing that. From a fantasy standpoint, the more stats he can put up the better.