Redskins Biggest Battle: Who Will Step Up At WR?

With the start of training camp underway, there is no position battle on the Redskins' roster more up in the air than that of the wide receivers. 

A year after the Redskins used two second round picks on receivers, the team is looking to improve on a passing game that ranked 23rd overall with an average of only 189.1 yards per game.  While most of the pressure is on quarterback Jason Campbell, who was on the hot seat this entire offseason, he can only succeed if the weapons around him can make plays.

WIDE RECEIVER BREAKDOWN:

Santana Moss:  At 5'10" and at 30 years of age, Moss is no longer a true number one wide receiver in the NFL, if he ever really was considered one.  As his speed diminishes further, his lack of size will be more of a problem.  However, he led the team in yards with 1044 and receiving TDs with six in 2008 and posted his best season since 2005, so there's still some fuel in those legs.  While he may not be a go-to receiver on critical third downs, he will still need to be the big play threat to keep defenses from crowding the box on Clinton Portis.

Antwaan Randle-El:  Randle-El will also be 30 years old by the start of the season and has been relatively unproductive in his three years with the Redskins.  He has apparently lost his role as the punt returner and should likely lose his role as the number two receiver before camp breaks.  Ideally, Randle-El would move to the slot, where his speed and quickness can create mismatches for defenses.  Additionally, with the success of the Wildcat offense for the Dolphins last year, perhaps the ex-quarterback will get a few looks there to increase his value.

Devin Thomas:  Thomas was picked 34th overall in the 2008 Draft out of Michigan State, but never really was given the opportunity to produce in the offense last year.  He was hampered by a hamstring injury that he sustained in training camp, and was supposedly slow to learn the routes, diminishing his usefulness.  Overall he only tallied 15 catches for 120 yards, and will certainly be asked to do more this season if the Redskins passing game is to succeed.  This year, he's in better shape, spent part of the offseason working out with Jason Campbell, and currently holds the edge over Malcolm Kelly as the starting flanker.

Malcolm Kelly:  Kelly was taken 51st overall in the 2008 Draft out of Oklahoma.  After knee surgery last August, he never really healed, and played a minimal role on the team, only playing in five games and totalling only 18 yards on three catches for the season.  At 6-4 and 227 lbs., his big body will be ideal for Coach Zorn's West Coast Offense and he could serve as a great endzone target for Jason Campbell.  The biggest question will be whether his knee will resurface as a problem again this season.

It's time for an influx of young talent for the Redskins at this important position and if Thomas and Kelly can step up and perform now that former wide receiver James Thrash is gone, it will be a good compliment to a strong running game, and the pass-catching abilities of tight end Chris Cooley. 

Make no mistake, the strength of the Redskins lies in their defense.  But their offense will need to be more explosive than it was in 2008 if they are to succeed and rise from the cellar of the NFC East basement.