2015 Fantasy Football Outlook for Washington Redskins Stars
The Washington Redskins’ fantasy football stars are in for another circus centering on the quarterback position in 2015. How well Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson and Alfred Morris endure will impact their value on fantasy rosters.
Head coach Jay Gruden’s first season went tumultuously, with three different quarterbacks logging significant playing time—Robert Griffin III (seven starts), Kirk Cousins (five) and Colt McCoy (four).
Washington’s offense maintained a semblance of Mike Shanahan’s regime by promoting Sean McVay from tight ends coach to offensive coordinator in 2014. The Redskins struggled to score—ranked 26th—but moved the ball well—ranked 13th in total yards (18th in standard fantasy scoring).
The front office added former San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks executive Scot McCloughan to work as general manager alongside team president Bruce Allen. The pair started quickly in free agency, luring new defensive talent to the nation’s capital.
If help is on the way for the Redskins offense, it must be coming from within. The Redskins are projected to take Nebraska’s outside linebacker Randy Gregory at No. 5, according to Business Insider’s survey of 11 expert mock drafts.
Find out what part last year’s nucleus will play for the Redskins and fantasy owners in 2015.
Honorable Mention
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Logan Paulsen, TE
Paulsen is the Redskins' only classically built tight end at 6’5”, 261. He mostly contributes as a blocker, seeing little offensive work with talents like Niles Paul and Jordan Reed ahead of him.
Chris Thompson, RB
Thompson—Washington’s 2013 fifth-rounder out of Florida State—didn’t see the field until Roy Helu Jr. missed time with an injury late in 2014.
He’ll have to beat out Silas Redd for Helu’s vacated role in 2015.
Ryan Grant, WR
At 6’0”, 193, Grant is taller than the three wide receivers ahead of him on Washington’s depth chart. The rookie out of Tulane started two games in 2014, finishing with seven receptions for 68 yards.
Darrel Young, FB
Young posted a career-high five touchdowns rushing and receiving in 2014. Primarily used as a blocker, the Villanova product’s only fantasy relevance is frustrating Alfred Morris owners by vulturing scores at the goal line.
Colt McCoy, QB
Washington re-signed McCoy, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Twitter.
"QB Colt McCoy is re-signing with Washington, per source. So it's RGIII, Kirk Cousins and McCoy back together again.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2015
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Jay Gruden benched Cousins and Griffin in favor of McCoy at different points in 2014, but the five-year veteran is just competing for a reserve role for now.
Kirk Cousins, QB
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Cousins got his shot in 2014, resulting in a 61.7 completion percentage and 10 touchdowns to nine interceptions through five starts over six appearances. Jay Gruden benched the three-year veteran in Week 8 for Colt McCoy, and Cousins didn’t see the field again.
Always the subject of trade rumors, Cousins almost went to the Cleveland Browns, according to Mike Jones of The Washington Post:
"The team explored trade possibilities last offseason, but the Cleveland Browns declined to offer anything more than a fourth-round pick. The Redskins wanted a second-rounder.
"
But no one is interested in the Michigan State product this offseason, according to Bruce Allen’s interview on 106.7 The Fan with Grant Paulsen and Danny Rouhier (h/t Chris Lingebach of 106.7 The Fan and Scott Allen of The Washington Post):
"Well, the trade deadline starts also at 4 o’clock, so we have not received any calls on that. We’ll see what plays out. There was a lot of speculation a year ago, and that really never came to fruition. And I can’t speak for other teams on him.
"
Given Cousins’ mistake-prone stint as starter in 2014, he’s avoidable as a fantasy commodity until he makes the most of another opportunity.
Silas Redd, RB
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Redd appears to be the front-runner to replace Roy Helu Jr. as Washington’s passing-down back, according to CSN Washington’s Rich Tandler:
"The coaches like his work ethic and his ability. Redd, who made the team as a rookie free agent last year, displayed a good aptitude for catching the ball out of the backfield. But can he pass block well enough to nail down the role?
"
Redd doesn’t warrant significant fantasy focus even if he assumes Helu’s role for 2015.
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Andre Roberts, WR
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Roberts is entering a contract year of sorts, given his four-year deal will escalate to $5 million against the cap annually starting in 2016.
Roberts pointed to struggling through the transition in his first season with Washington, in an interview with Doc Walker and Brian Mitchell on ESPN 980 (h/t Jake Kring-Schreifels of Redskins.com):
"Being in Washington for the first year, it’s all new. New coaching staff, new players, new media, a new locker room, new weight room, everything. So it’s a little bit of a transition. You think it’s easier than it is but it’s just like coming into the NFL.
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Roberts contributed as Washington’s primary kick returner in 2014, but his 36 catches for 453 yards and two touchdowns did little for fantasy owners.
His 12.6 yards per catch marked his best average since his rookie year with the Arizona Cardinals, but Roberts doesn’t make enough catches to be useful even in point-per-reception formats.
Robert Griffin III, QB
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Jay Gruden said Griffin remains Washington’s starting quarterback heading into the offseason, according to Paul Keim of ESPN.com:
"We'll go into the season with Robert as our No. 1 guy. It's up to Robert to continue to grow and mature as a quarterback and as a person. Moving forward we want to see improvement.
"
Apparently Griffin passed muster in Gruden’s evaluation process, per a tweet from Washington’s own Twitter account in early January.
Bruce Allen noted Griffin’s injury history as a reason why the team continues to put faith in him, according to Keim:
"If he can stay healthy, he has a high ceiling.
You aren’t going to win in the NFL unless your quarterback plays well. That’s not a new discovery. We’ve got to play better there. Our quarterback, Robert, has gotten injured. One thing you learn maybe growing and maturing in this league is you’ve got to protect yourself a little bit more. The No. 1 responsibility is to take the snap the next play. That hurts as you’re trying to coach and develop him and learn the techniques coach Gruden wants.
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But Washington hasn’t yet opted for the 2012 No. 2 overall pick’s fifth-year option, meaning 2015 could be a contract year.
Griffin is one of my untouchables in 2015. Take him as a QB2 if you must, but don’t forget he missed six weeks with an ankle injury in 2014 and then was benched three games into his return.
Niles Paul, TE
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Washington re-signed Paul to a nice deal for a reserve tight end, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Twitter:
"TE Niles Paul resigns with Redskins, a three-year deal that can earn him up to just under $10 million, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 6, 2015"
The Redskins inked the deal just days before the four-year veteran would have hit the open market. Kyle Shanahan and the Atlanta Falcons headlined Paul’s list of suitors.
Washington took the Nebraska product in the fifth round of the 2011 draft as a wide receiver. Paul possesses that perimeter speed which is rare in a tight end, but also lacks the size at 6’1”, 241.
What he's missing in stature he makes up for with heart, former teammate Rex Grossman told ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure:
"He's as tough as s---. He's like the one guy in the locker room you do not want to pick a fight with. He's just a tough wide receiver/tight end who shows up on special teams all the time.
Obviously, he's a mismatch for linebackers trying to cover him, with his speed.
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Paul stepped in serviceably when Jordan Reed missed playing time with injuries, racking up 39 receptions for 507 yards and a touchdown. Paul and Reed make a desirable one-two combo for Jay Gruden, but not fantasy owners.
Take Paul as a speculative reserve. Paul could shine in the spotlight if Reed is sidelined once again.
Jordan Reed, TE
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Reed is the only pass-catcher in Washington’s starting lineup standing over six feet tall—6’2”, 237. The red-zone targets potential is tantalizing even though his three career touchdowns leave a blaring hole in expectations.
The two-year veteran’s already lengthy injury history is partly to blame, as described by CSN Washington’s Tarik El-Bashir:
"Reed, who has missed 12 games—and left a few others early—due to injuries ranging from deep bruises and muscle tears to a severe concussion in his first two seasons. He noted last season that he’s suffered a couple of leg injuries while attempting to hurdle a defender and that he intends to avoid those plays.
Reed’s athleticism, versatility and importance on third down are undeniable. His inability to stay healthy for long stretches, well, that’s going to define his career until he proves that he can.
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Spot Reed a low-end TE1/high-end TE2 grade on your cheat sheets, picking him up as a value play in the later rounds.
Pierre Garcon, WR
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Garcon’s 68-catch encore to his league-leading 113-catch performance in 2013 frustrated fantasy owners in 2014.
Although plenty of blame goes toward the inconsistent play at quarterback, Garcon’s 10th-ranked contract among wide receivers makes him an easy mark as well. Garcon finished 2014 ranked 54th in wide receiver scoring, averaging just 5.3 points per week.
Nothing came of expectations—like those of ESPN.com’s John Keim—that Washington would propose contract restructuring with the seven-year veteran before the league year began. Instead, Jay Gruden restated Garcon remains in his designs on 2015, according to The Washington Post’s Mike Jones on Twitter (h/t Igor Mello of CBS Sports.com):
"Gruden said Garcon definitely still in the plans.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) February 18, 2015
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It’s difficult to predict what 2015 holds for Garcon given potential contract and quarterback strife. Pack him away in the mid-to-later rounds as a veteran flex with WR2 upside in August.
DeSean Jackson, WR
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Washington scooped up Jackson from the street last April after Chip Kelly and the Eagles controversially cut the star wide receiver loose over character concerns. The Redskins are laughing last so far, benefiting from Jackson’s league-leading 20.9 yards per catch.
The only semblance of Jackson’s rumored attitude problems in 2014 came in a shot fired through Instagram (NSFW) after an embarrassing Week 11 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coming off the bye (h/t Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk).
Jackson finished 16th among wide receivers in fantasy scoring for 2014, averaging nine points per game over a full 16-game docket. The seven-year vet suffered through eight weeks of scoring six points or fewer, a product of inconsistent quarterback play.
Jackson’s prospects will grow if Washington can find an answer behind center. If not, that Instagram blast comes as an appetizer for future—justified?—tirades in 2015.
Take Jackson for your game-breaking WR2, hopefully surrounding him with more consistent options to weather the down weeks.
Alfred Morris, RB
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Morris—not Robert Griffin III—is Washington’s showpiece from the 2012 NFL draft, borne from Donovan McNabb’s trade to the Minnesota Vikings. Legend has it that Mike Shanahan famously stashed the pride of the Florida Atlantic Owls on the Senior Bowl sidelines to preserve him for the Redskins roster in April.
Although Morris’ yards-per-carry average steadily declined from 4.8 to 4.1 in 2014, Washington’s offensive line deteriorated at an even more drastic pace, according to Pro Football Focus.
The unit graded 53.4 in run-blocking for 2012 (seventh), sinking to negative-28.4 in 2014 (24th).
Washington hired Bill Callahan in January to coach O-line after the Dallas Cowboys dumped him as its offensive coordinator in favor of Scott Linehan. Callahan is credited with coaching up a star-studded Cowboys line in 2014 that opened holes for the league’s leading rusher DeMarco Murray (1,845).
Murray added 416 yards on 57 receptions last season—both career highs. Callahan and Jay Gruden are proponents of pass-catching running backs, a skill lacking in Morris’ arsenal, according to John Keim of ESPN.com.
But Morris performed pass-catching duties just fine in two Pro Bowl appearances (eight catches, 88 yards), points out Gabe Hiatt of The Washington Post. Morris spent the 2014 offseason honing his pass-catching skills to acclimate to Gruden’s style, according to Elliot Smith of The Washington Post.
The three-year veteran’s 17 receptions for 155 yards in 2014 both marked career highs.
Roy Helu Jr.’s propensity as a speedy pace-changer limited Morris in the passing game as much as his own perceived inability.
With Helu off to the Oakland Raiders, Morris appears primed to become that all-purpose back under Gruden and Callahan worthy of a top-10 pick in fantasy drafts.
NFL statistics courtesy of Pro Football Reference , fantasy stats courtesy of ESPN.com, contract and salary cap information provided by Over the Cap and h/t to Rotoworld for tweets and quotes unless otherwise noted.
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