All posts by Sean Labar

Skins snag WR Josh Doctson in first round of 2016 NFL Draft

There is absolutely no predicting the NFL Draft.  The Redskins entered Thursday night with an impressive wide receiving corps, highlighted by Desean Jackson and Pierre Garcon.

So with the 21st overall pick, Washington selected TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson, arguably the best pass catcher in the draft. It was a move that didn’t address an immediate need, but instead, ensured that the Skins’ were set at the position for the foreseeable future.

WHO IS THIS GUY?

At 6-foot-2, 202 pounds, Doctson earns his paycheck by going up and hauling in the football. He isn’t overly fast, but overcompensates with sure hands and an obvious grit.

Doctson made the transfer to TCU after a freshman stint in Wyoming, snagging 179 passes for 2,784 yards and 29 touchdowns during the three-year span as a Horned Frog. His senior season was especially impressive, racking up 1,326 yards and 14 touchdowns.

“He’s got height,” Skins head coach Jay Gruden said. “He’s got the mad leaping skills which are very appealing, especially in the red zone. He’s another guy that’s going to bring athleticism to this offense, and we’re excited to have him.”

After Corey Coleman and Laquon Treadwell came off the board prior to Washington’s pick, Doctson was the best receiver left. Thanks to his raw physical skills and an already deep wideout depth chart, the Skins have a player they can develop over the next several years.

HOW HE FITS

An outsider may argue Washington had bigger needs, and that’s true. But both Garcon and Jackson are playing in the final years of their respective contracts. Garcon has a $10.2 million cap hit in 2016 while Jackson eats another $9.25 million.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Skins part ways with one of the two before the start of the season, especially considering Doctson emulates Garcon in many ways. He’s just younger and faster.

Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan has already earned the trust of he Washington fan base, not overly difficult considering the team’s history of terrible misses in the draft. This year’s class is laden with starting caliber defensive tackles, so the second-year decision maker grabbed the best player available with plans to address glaring needs a bit later.

The decision was a lot more about the long-term stability of the wide reciever position, and a lot less about throwing Doctson into the fire right away.

Washington veteran defensive back Deangelo Hall tweeted, “you can never have too many pass catchers,” after the Skins made the pick. Jay Gruden’s offense thrives through the air, making Doctson a solid choice.

GRADE

B+ — It was bold, but justified. When the Skins find some defensive contributions in later rounds, McCloughan will continue prove to be Daniel Snyder’s best offseason addition in nearly a decade.

After adding Josh Norman the week before, the Redskins now have veterans all over the field to compete in the NFC East. Snatching up Doctson means they also have young talent offensively to grow with Kirk Cousins and thrive in the East for years to come.

Redskins sign former Panthers cornerback Josh Norman

It felt a lot like the Redskins of the past.

Dan Snyder fueled up the private jet, rolled out the red carpet, and courted former Panthers cornerback Josh Norman into Redskins Park with a caravan of black SUVs.

Norman inked a five-year, $75 million deal with $50 million guaranteed as the newest member of the Redskins.

Naysayers will argue this is the same old Washington front office, throwing money free agents instead of building a team the right way.

But this is different. Keep in mind that Norman was good enough to garner the franchise tag in Carolina. He’s hands down one of the top-five defensive backs in the NFL, in the prime of his career.

We may never know why Panthers’ general manager Dave Gettleman and the Carolina brass  suddenly rescinded the franchise tag for a guy that played such a pivotal role on last season’s suffocating defense. But the notion that it was purely a financial decision is bogus.  The whole point of the tag is to keep guys around that may otherwise hold out.  There is something deeper to the story, but that’s neither here or there.

Norman provides an instant upgrade to a Washington secondary that finished 25th against the pass a  season ago. He will line up opposite of Baushaud Breeland (who has quietly cemented himself as a top-10 corner) to now form one of the top cornerback tandems in the NFL.

Norman’s coming out party a season ago included four interceptions, two defensive touchdowns, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 19 passes defended. He owned several one-on-one battles against the top wide outs in the game, including Odell Beckham Jr., who he will now terrorize twice a year.

Second-year Skins general manager isn’t one to chase high dollar free agents. He’s made a living building through the draft, but Norman’s upside was too intriguing. He thrives as a cover CB particularly in quarters packages, making him the perfect fit for Washington defensive coordinator Joe Barry.

Norman will battle Desean Jackson in practices, which will surely aid them both. Kirk Cousins will only benefit practicing against one of the top corners in the land. Those matchups against Beckham and Dez Bryant just got even more intriguing.

Norman in D.C. is good for everyone involved. It should be fun to watch.