Washington Redskins: Biggest Storylines Ahead of Training Camp

With their 4-12 campaign in 2014 well in the rearview mirror, the Washington Redskins will open training camp with designs on becoming the latest NFL team to rise from worst to first in its division.

Through Scot McCloughan's retooling of the roster, Washington could sport as many as eight new starters. And in a surprising turn of events, this came to be without the headlining signings often associated with the Redskins under owner Dan Snyder.

While it's been a quiet offseason by these standards, there still remains a fair share of compelling storylines to monitor with training camp on the horizon.

What are they? Let's find out. Here are the Redskins' biggest storylines ahead of training camp.

Robert Griffin III's Development

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Much like last season, Robert Griffin III will enter training camp with the starting gig already in tow. But will he justify the anointment this time around?

He certainly didn't last season. And looking back, his preseason performance was only a precursor of things to come. The calls for Kirk Cousins to start—particularly from Joe Theismann—preceded a season in which Griffin had career lows in yards, QB rating, touchdowns and games played.

While acknowledging the struggles Griffin endured in 2014, head coach Jay Gruden thus far has been pleased with the progress he's seen from his franchise quarterback, per Jacob Adler of Redskins.com:

"

I think the transition for him into a new system last season was a little bit rocky for all of us.

But when you have the same system going in for Year 2, I think he’s going to get better. You can see the progress every day that he makes and it’s exciting to watch. Robert especially is doing an excellent job every day.

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In this regard, Griffin was in agreement:

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The more familiarity you can have with the coaches, the system, the better. You see the Tom Bradys, the Aaron Rodgers, the Peyton Mannings of this league, [they’ve had] the same coaches, the same system and they can grow within that system — and that’s what we’re looking to build.

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Griffin's progress will be futile, though, if it doesn't translate to games. He was sacked at a historic rate last season. True, the offensive line was porous. But with the improvements the team has made up front, in addition to the same receiving corps returning, he's all but out of excuses.

With his $16.1 million option in 2016 guaranteed only for injury, anything short of marked improvement from RG3 will result in the team looking elsewhere to solve its quarterback conundrum.

DeAngelo Hall's Future

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One of the longest-tenured Redskins on the roster, DeAngelo Hall's future with the team beyond training camp is in doubt. 

Not only is age against the 31-year old 11-year vet, but Hall is also coming off two surgeries on his torn Achilles tendon. The injury limited him to three games last season and his participation in offseason workouts.

As such, with a cloud of uncertainty hovering over the playmaker, Washington made it a point to protect itself against the possibility Hall wouldn't be able to contribute in new defensive coordinator Joe Barry's defense.

First, the Redskins selected two defensive backs, Tevin Mitchel and Kyshoen Jarrett, in the 2015 NFL draft.

Second, and most importantly, the team put a financial contingency plan in place. Per Field Yates of ESPN.com, with the restructuring of Hall's contract, his $4 million salary this season is non-guaranteed.

If all goes well, there will be an opening next to Chris Culliver in the starting lineup. If not, and Hall's effectiveness is compromised, his time in Washington, D.C. could be up. That's reason to monitor his performance in training camp.

Star Injuries

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With Brian Orakpo moving on and RG3 a lightning rod for criticism, Ryan Kerrigan and Trent Williams have emerged as the franchise pillars on both sides of the ball.

Unfortunately, they also highlight the injury report entering training camp.

Because of an ankle injury, Williams didn't participate in OTAs. Most concerning of all, though, he first suffered the injury in Week 17. With Williams again opting for rest and rehab over surgery, his status registers as one worth monitoring going forward.

Then there's Kerrigan. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in May. Speaking to CSN Washington's JP Finlay, Kerrigan did reveal his recovery was going well.

Still, the hurdle of playing in contact practices has not been cleared. Knowing the defense is predicated on the success of the pass rush, a setback from Kerrigan would be a devastating blow.

Key Position Battles

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Hearkening back to Kerrigan's absence this offseason, a positive takeaway has been the opportunity granted to Preston Smith and Trent Murphy.

It's no secret that the successor to Orakpo is among this duo. As such, the additional playing time has not only gotten them more up to speed with Barry's defensive scheme but also given the coach a significant sample size to evaluate each player. 

And by all accounts, for the time being, the job is Murphy's to lose. He was already a stout run defender. He came in sixth in Pro Football Focus' run-defense rankings for outside linebackers in 2014. 

After seeing the performance that a stronger and more explosive Murphy put on during OTAs, Gruden, for one, envisions the second-year product making a leap as far rushing the passer is concerned, per Liz Clarke of the Washington Post:

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When you’re looking at practice and you watch practice film, you look for guys that jump out on the screen at you, guys that are making plays and you feel their presence, and Trent Murphy is one of them.

He’s bigger, he’s stronger, he’s rushing the passer extremely well. He’s getting off the ball very well right now. I think I’m expecting him to make the biggest jump from first year to second year on our football team because not only is he bigger, but he knows the position. He’s athletic. And when you put on some extra bulk and strength, it’s just going to give him more. He’s already a smart football player with great instincts. Now you add the extra bulk and we expect big things from him this year.

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Even with such praise, in the opinion of ESPN.com's John Keim, it'll be Smith who flanks Kerrigan by season's end.

"But the sense I’ve gotten is that Smith will ultimately be the starter. The Redskins really like Smith’s hands, which will help him as a rusher," Keim wrote. 

Preseason performance oftentimes doesn't carry much weight. But considering it's the lone time players can actually touch the quarterback, it'll measure the progress of both players.

Moving to the position battle at safety, Jeron Johnson and Duke Ihenacho are the players to watch.

Throughout OTAs, the duo has split time playing with the first-team defense. Knowing missed tackles were a glaring issue for this position group—and still is with Dashon Goldson in the fold—their performance in live game action will play a pivotal role in determining the starter.

Progress of 2014 NFL Draft Class

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Fans anxiously await the debut of the 2015 rookie class; however, it's the sophomore class they should be monitoring more closely. 

Versed in pro schemes and adjusted to life in the NFL, second-year players have the benefit of focusing solely on the game in between the lines. So in this sense, regardless of their draft position, these players are much more equipped than rookies to contribute. 

Murphy has already been touched on, but both Spencer Long and Bashaud Breeland figure to fill prominent roles in their sophomore campaigns.

In lieu of Chris Chester's release, Long is in line to start alongside rookie right tackle Brandon Scherff. A mauler in the running game, the 6'5", 311-pound Long is an ideal fit for offensive line coach Bill Callahan's power-running scheme.

As for Breeland, whether it's as Hall's heir apparent or as the nickel corner, playing time won't be an issue for the Clemson product. Since he was one of the league leaders in penalties a season ago, improving Breeland's discipline has to Washington's chief concern going forward.

Looking at the two remaining members of the 2014 draft class, Ryan Grant and Morgan Moses will continue their quest to move up the depth chart. This could prove to be difficult for Moses, as both Williams and Scherff are ahead of him at tackle. 

In the case of Grant, though, should Andre Roberts duplicate his dismal Washington debut, a strong training camp would have Grant in line to be the next man up.