The majority of the Redskins success last season was due to strong draft picks made by the organization in the past few seasons. Kirk Cousins, Jordan Reed, Matt Jones, and Jamison Crowder all made key contributions while starting at the offensive skill positions. On the defensive side, they have built through the draft with Pro Bowl linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, linebacker, Preston Smith, and cornerback, Bashaud Breeland.
As the 2016 draft has come and gone, the Redskins hope their new acquisitions are just as impactful as in recent seasons. In the next three weeks we will take an in depth look at each selection.
This week, we are looking at their Day One decisions.
The months leading up to the draft it could be assumed that the Redskins would most likely select a CB with their first round pick at number 22 overall. They have struggled at this position for the past few years, and have limped along with the aging Deangelo Hall at this important position. When they must play Odell Beckham Jr, Dez Bryant, and Jordan Matthews each twice a year, they would most certainly need to upgrade their defensive backs. Last year they even had to convert Quinton Dunbar, an undrafted WR from Florida, to the CB position due to their struggles.
On April 20th, it was announced that the Carolina Panthers had rescinded their franchise tag place on the all – pro cornerback Josh Norman which would make him an unrestricted free agent. When Bruce Allen and Scott McCloughan heard this news they jumped. They were able to schedule the first meeting with the talented corner from Costal Carolina and two days later the news broke when Mr. Norman tweeted “#HAIL.” And of course a few emoji’s to go with it. The Skins handed him a contract larger than Darrelle Revis making him the highest paid cornerback.
This monumental free agency pickup gave the Skins more flexibility on draft day, but they still knew they needed reinforcements at the position.
With the 22nd pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins select, Josh Doctson, Wide Receiver, TCU. This pick came as a surprise to some because they Redskins truly did not really need a wide receiver for this year. McCloughan is known to draft for value instead of positional needs, and it seems he did just this. Doctson was arguably the best WR prospect in the draft and was taken as the third at 22 overall. Many will ask what does this mean for the rest of the receiving core. Both Pierre Garcon and Desean Jackson are getting older and are in the final years of their contracts. Jordan Reed is dominant and was amazing last year during their run to make the playoffs, but concussions and injuries will always be a concern. Trevone Boykin and Doctson had superb chemistry at TCU. Doctson was extraordinaire in the red zone, and has great body control when going up for 50/50 balls.
"You look into all that, depth of other positions on defense. It is a good draft for that," Gruden said. "It is a very deep draft at a lot of positions for that matter. We feel like we can still add to this roster and get some quality players – second, third, fourth, fifth rounds." This was the assumed thinking after selecting an offensive weapon in the first round but Jay Gruden confirmed this notion after day one.
