Under the guidance of Kirk Cousins, Washington had some surprising offensive success a year ago. Now they're ready to keep that going with a couple of youngsters, second-year runner Matt Jones and rookie wideout Josh Doctson.
Especially Jones. "He’s got the skills and the traits that you’re looking for in that every down back," says offensive coordinator Sean McVay. Music to the ears of fantasy teams looking to draft running backs later, but still get a three-down featured runner.
Jones will need to prove worth the team's faith in him, of course. He averaged just 3.4 yards per carry and fumbled 5 times. But Washington let Alfred Morris go in free agency and didn't draft a running back until the seventh round. That back, Keith Marshall, could be a factor eventually, but it's clear Jones will get the first chance to be the guy in the ground game.
With Doctson, he'll start out behind Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson as an outside receiver. But McVay believes he can earn playing time early. It doesn't sound like the team will release Garcon (as has been speculated), but if Doctson shines in the preseason, who knows. There's also something of a history of injuries with Jackson.
McVay and Jay Gruden have compared Doctson to A.J. Green. "That’s a high standard to set, because A.J.’s one of the best players in this league, but I think you do see some of those skills and traits that an A.J. Green has, and that's what excites you about Josh.”
It's May, and everyone is going to the Pro Bowl now. But a couple of players to keep an eye on in the preseason.
--Andy Richardson