Washington Redskins: Early Rookie Progress Reports

With OTAs underway, the Washington Redskins have been granted their first look at what prominent members of their 2015 NFL draft class can do against veteran NFL players.

Fortunately, the early reports are generally positive. Head coach Jay Gruden has been left pleasantly surprised by a deceptively flexible backfield weapon.

There has also been a noteworthy moment or two for top pick Brandon Scherff. The burly offensive tackle is under a fierce spotlight thanks to the decision to select him instead of dynamic defensive tackle Leonard Williams. But if Scherff can solidify the right side of the O-line, both in the run and pass games, he'll more than justify his status. So far, the brief glimpses bode well for the rookie road-grader.

The next player general manager Scot McCloughan took off the board has had a slightly tougher time. Versatile rush end Preston Smith had to be content working with the second units on the first day of OTAs.

Find out what the latest reports say about the progress of the key members of Washington's draft class.

Preston Smith, DL/OLB

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The first thing to say about Smith is there's obviously still plenty of work needed to get him up to pro speed. It spoke volumes that last year's second-round pick Trent Murphy, as well as unheralded Trevardo Williams, worked with starters ahead of Smith during the first day of OTAs.

That left the former Mississippi State ace to prove his mettle against backup rookie free-agent tackle Takoby Cofield. It was a fairly even battle, but Smith did occasionally struggle when he was matched up against a tight end, per ESPN's John Keim.

"Smith one time got a little too upright versus tight end Chase Dixon, allowing him to take control," Keim noted. "Almost as if Smith was doing too much looking for the ball instead of first setting the edge. Smith worked all over, rushing inside on occasion."

An edge pass-rusher against a tight end should always be a matchup win for a defense. It seems clear Smith hasn't yet learned to simply let his physical and athletic gifts take over.

Like most rookies, he seems guilty of thinking too much during a play. Once he combines his 6'5", 271-pound frame with a more instinctive feel for Washington's scheme, he won't get into trouble against a tight end.

Smith will be best served using his impressive base power and natural length to control things on the edge. Mike Jones of The Washington Post detailed an example of when Smith simply let his athleticism take over: "Smith put his length to good use on one particular play as he batted down a quick-hitter pass thrown by Cousins."

Both Jones and Keim highlighted Smith's length as a key asset during the team's rookie minicamp. It is a vital quality all productive edge-rushers must possess.

Even though Smith is being brought along slowly, it's good to read that he's also still being moved around during OTAs. Continuing to line up inside just adds one more string to the bow of a player the Redskins need to be a key sub-package weapon in the new season.

Smith has worked well off stunts and twists from the outside, but if he can consistently beat guards and centers, he'll become a feature of the nickel defense and boost the production of a unit that logged just 36 sacks last season.

Matt Jones, RB

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Matt Jones continues to show more flair as a pass-catcher than any 6'2", 231-pound, smashmouth-style runner ever should. In the process, he's making a very strong case for significant playing time as a rookie.

Jones used the first day of OTAs to surprise his head coach. Gruden was wowed by the ex-Florida workhorse's flexible skill set, including the ability to act as a blocker against the blitz, per the team's official Twitter account.

Blitz pickup is a niche skill that is invaluable in today's game. The proliferation of pass-heavy schemes, along with rules favoring receivers, have forced defenses into taking more risks.

Coordinators design multiple blitz pressures to attack running backs in protection. A backfield warrior who can actually repel linebackers and defensive backs can be his quarterback's best friend on football's money down.

Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy certainly haven't had those kind of friends in recent seasons. Blocking has never been a forte for lead runner Alfred Morris. It doesn't help that lean tight ends Jordan Reed and Niles Paul offer little in this area.

Jones' blocking chops are giving him a great chance to see the field early and often. So is his work catching passes.

Mike Jones of The Washington Post detailed how the former Gators ace "was used both as a runner and a receiver." He also explained how the rookie back "received a fair amount of action with the first team."

As much as Griffin needs a nearby protector, a competent backfield receiver could prove just as valuable. Being able to dump quick passes off to a sure-handed and elusive runner who can turn them into positive gains will help improve Griffin's efficiency and the speed of his decision-making.

The more Jones showcases his versatility, the more pressure he puts on Morris. Washington's three-time 1,000-yard rusher is transitioning out of the comfortable confines of Mike Shanahan's outside zone-stretch scheme. He may not take to Gruden and new line coach Bill Callahan's power concepts as well as a downhill battering ram like Jones.

Ideally, of course, both Jones and Morris will be top-notch in the new system, giving Gruden the kind of headache coaches should always welcome. If nothing else, Jones is at least showing the talent for third-down work this offense needs for 2015.

Brandon Scherff, OT

The spotlight is naturally going to follow Brandon Scherff this offseason. That's why it's encouraging to see the draft's fifth overall pick very quietly working on his bid to become the first competent right tackle the Redskins have had since Jon Jansen.

Scherff's latest efforts included a fairly tough scrap with pass-rusher Williams. ESPN's John Keim detailed how the team's top rookie fared:

"

Linebacker Trevardo Williams worked a few times vs. rookie right tackle Brandon Scherff and did a nice job getting into his pads. Scherff did not get his hands up quick enough a couple times and Williams was able to drive him back a little. What I liked from Scherff, however: He could anchor. I want to watch him more in the run game, but he moved well on some plays, getting his head in the proper position so he could seal the edge.

"

That Scherff anchors well is certainly good news for what he'll bring to the running game. He's a powerhouse who's going to drive defenders off the ball and clear plenty of inviting lanes for Morris and Jones.

In all honesty though, that's almost taken for granted with Scherff. After all, obliterating defenders in the running game was the signature of many of his dominating performances at Iowa.

The real question is can he pass protect adequately enough? That never used to be a major concern with most right tackles considering how many marquee pass-rushers play on the other side of the line.

But the Redskins need Scherff up to speed in this area—and fast. The first two games of the season could pit the rookie against Miami Dolphins pressure specialist Cameron Wake, followed by St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long. Those are two of the more destructive pass-rushers in football.

Being driven back is an invitation to be bull-rushed by an experienced edge defender. Of course, it's still very, very early days in Scherff's pro development.

Mastering the art of turning pass-rushers away from the quarterback will be a significant signpost on Scherff's road to becoming a quality NFL starter. That's what Callahan spent extra time going over with him during rookie OTAs, per Mike Jones of The Washington Post.

Callahan will know what nuance will mean for a lineman as naturally powerful and aggressive as Scherff. It will give a revamped line a cornerstone player.

That's why B/R's Matt Bowen sees Scherff as Washington's breakout player for 2015. If he refines his technique in protection, Scherff will certainly be a very strong candidate.

Arie Kouandjio, G

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If aggression is a core characteristic Callahan wants in his offensive front, he'll pay very close attention to the performances of Arie Kouandjio. Although he was relegated to working with the third units on the opening day of OTAs, Kouandjio continued to display a nastiness and appetite for brute-force physicality coaches will love.

The guard selected in the fourth round is already making one particularly violent move his signature, according to ESPN's John Keim: "Saw rookie guard Arie Kouandjio get a nice punch in vs. defensive lineman Corey Crawford. That's what Kouandjio does well."

This isn't the first time Keim has highlighted the power of Kouandjio's punch. During rookie minicamp, the reporter referred to it as "hard" and delivered "aggressively." There's that word again.

You should expect a change in mindset to be as significant as any in personnel and scheme along the O-line this season. Whether Washington blocks zone or plays power, the group up front has to be a more tenacious one.

Two seasons of being pushed around and overpowered means it's time for the men wearing burgundy and gold in the trenches to leave a few bruises of their own on opponents.

McCloughan and Gruden are working toward a more blue collar, nasty and brutal team. It's one of the reasons Callahan was acquired and Scherff and Kouandjio were drafted.

The latter clearly has a long way to go to figure in the starting mix, but Kouandjio already caught Gruden's eye thanks to the way he works with coaches, per Real Redskins blogger Rich Tandler.

Just the mere presence of the former Alabama mauler and the way he competes will light a fire under a revitalized position group.

Jamison Crowder, WR

Perhaps no rookie from McCloughan's first class will turn out to be as important as Jamison Crowder. If he can be the underneath, speedy pass-catcher who acts as a regular get-out target, Crowder will improve whoever plays under center.

That's a big burden for a fourth-round pick. Fortunately though, no first-year player has made as positive a first impression as quickly as the former Duke sensation.

After rookie minicamp, ESPN 980's Kevin Sheehan told B/R's Stephen Nelson he thinks Crowder looks like a first-year starter as a slot receiver. Sheehan also noted how McCloughan views Crowder as a "legit slot guy."

Obviously, the idea is to find a player that offers the versatility and production Andre Roberts failed the bring to the offense in 2014. That means working as a slot receiver, but also boosting the special teams in the return game.

Crowder spent his first day alongside the veterans working from the slot with the second units, per Mike Jones of The Washington Post. Meanwhile, CSN Washington's Tarik El-Bashir reported how the diminutive wideout also competed with Roberts and others as a returner.

Like most of the rookies here, Crowder is slowly being worked into the fold alongside established starters. It shouldn't be taken as cause for concern that some are working with second and third units only one day into OTAs.

The reasons to be positive are obvious in the way Scherff is being put through his paces. It's a crash course in switching to right tackle, and while there have been some bumps, Scherff hasn't come close to buckling yet.

Similarly, not many running backs would feel confident challenging a player with Morris' pedigree. But Jones is showing no fear, along with adding the core skills this passing game simply has to have from the backfield.

The next step for Washington's top rookies is not just to merely hold their own at OTAs. It's time to stand out with some really eye-catching performances.