2015 was viewed as a rebuilding year after the team went 4-12 in 2014. The Redskins won the NFC East with a record of 9-7. This was only the fifth time since 1992 that they made the playoffs.

Believe it or not, the franchise has not put together a winning record in back to back years since the 1996 and 1997 seasons!

After having one of the five easiest schedules last year, they will have a much tougher road to the playoffs and will face multiple Super Bowl contending teams, including the Bengals, Packers, Cardinals, and the Panthers.

In order to return to the playoffs, they will need significant contributions from some of their role players who are not always in the spotlight:

5. Pierre Garcon, Wide Receiver

Pierre Garcon is still the number one wide receiver in this high powered offense. Garcon is heading into the final year of his five-year, $42.5 million contract and has something to prove after his mediocre 2015 season. It was only in 2013 when he caught 113 balls and led the league in receptions. Garcon needs to help out Cousins and be a reliable option and safety net for him. He can do a little of everything that you want in a WR; he can make defenders miss in space and catch balls in traffic over the middle of the field after running slants and posts. He is one of the most experienced guys on the offense and is a leader for this football team. He should also be able to teach Cousins a little bit of what he learned from the great, Peyton Manning back in his Indy days.

4. Ryan Kerrigan, Linebacker

Ryan Kerrigan can be a game changer on defense. Kerrigan has not missed a single game in his five year career since being drafted by the Skins and has totaled 47.5 total sacks. Compared to other linebackers also selected in the 2011 NFL draft, J.J Watt has totaled 74.5 sacks (the most since 2011), Aldon Smith has recorded 47.5 sacks, and Von Miller has got to the quarterback 60 times. Last season Kerrigan only managed to sack the quarterback 9.5 times and also had his career low in total tackles. The Redskins gave up the 28th most yards out of 32 teams last year and still managed to sneak into the playoffs. Imagine how dominant this team could be if the defense makes significant improvements led by Mr. Kerrigan. There will be less pressure on the corners and secondary with a stronger pass rush. Kerrigan believes that they finished the preseason with a much better pass rush then they did in 2015. “I like to think we’re improved based on training camp, but you really don’t know until that first game when you go against live bullets and you’re actually tackling a quarterback,” Kerrigan said. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers exploited this weakness in the NFC Wild Card Game last year (only recording one sack), and Kerrigan knows he needs to step up because he one of the only imposing pass rushers.

3. Bashaud Breeland, Cornerback

We harped on the defense being a weakness in 2015 when explaining Kerrigan’s importance. I could have flip flopped either of these two defenders because they are both major keys to improving the defense for 2016. Breeland is the less talented and younger player of the two, but will have a huge role in 2016. Breeland has been a tackling machine for the Skins. He has made over 150 tackles in his first two seasons. He recorded 81 tackles, solo and assisted, which was third on the team last season and the first among cornerbacks. He also tied for second in forced fumbles, tied for 11th in passes defended, and according to pro football focus, only allowed an average of 47 yards against him per game. With the addition of Pro – Bowl corner Josh Norman, Breeland will not be in charge of shutting down the top receiver on opposing teams this year, which is an especially difficult task in the NFC East. There will be a lot less pressure on Breeland, but I expect teams to do whatever they can to create mismatches and get Breeland on their #1 WR. They will regret targeting this underrated CB and Breeland will make huge plays and bait quarterbacks into interceptions. Learning and playing alongside Norman should help Breeland make a huge step in his third year and drastically improve the Redskins passing defense. The Skins also drafted Kendall Fuller, a cornerback in the third round, to put pressure on Breeland, but I fully expect Breeland/Norman to be a lethal combo in 2016.

Breeland amped up after making his first career interception against the Philadelphia Eagles

2. Brandon Scherff, Guard

Coming into his sophomore season, the highly talented tackle will man the right side of the offensive line. Scherff will not only play a pivotal role in protecting quarterback, Kirk Cousins, but he will also be essential in opening up the running game. The Pro-Bowl left tackle Trent Williams should protect Kirk’s blindside, but he will need plenty of help when top defenses are throwing the kitchen sink at the young and inexperienced QB. Cousins was at his best last year when he had all of his weapons at his disposal, and a strong season by Scherff should open up holes for the running backs and lead to play action passes down the middle. Scherff improved steadily last season, and it should not surprise anyone when last year’s number five overall pick made a huge jump in 2016.

1. Jordan Reed, Tight End

The fourth year tight end from Florida was the most valuable player down the stretch for the Redskins when they went 3-0 during their pivotal playoff push. He had 25 catches and five touchdowns in these three wins. Reed is the arguably the best route running tight end in football and is uncover able by linebackers and safeties. He always seemed to make something happen when the ball was in his hands. Reed’s dominance allows Desean Jackson and Pierre Garcon to see softer coverage and have more space. Although there is no way to prevent injury, it is detrimental that the Washington Redskins do everything they can to keep Reed fresh and healthy all season.

Bonus: Scot McCloughan, General Manager

In the past two years McCloughan has changed the reputation and style of this team. The team is finally in good hands and he will continue to change the direction of the team. Things are clearly working out better and also differently. In the past would they have received the first meeting with Josh Norman, just hours after the Panthers took the franchise tag off of him?

He has drafted players who look different and are physical. There are a lot of good players on this team now. When you hear the players, they are excited about playing for this team.

McCloughan has done an amazing job with changing the culture of this team so quickly and I expect another successful season in 2016.

#HTTR