The Washington Redskins have some young players that are due to break out this year. With some experience under their belt, they’re finally ready to make a big splash in 2018. The four players listed below as some potential Washington Redskins breakout candidates and they will have exceptional seasons as long as they stay healthy.
Breakout Candidates For the Washington Redskins in 2018
Josh Doctson, Wide Receiver
So far, Josh Doctson still has not lived up to his first-round draft selection. His career did not start off smoothly after a shortened rookie season. After playing in only two games, Washington had to place Doctson on injured reserve because of Achilles tendinitis in both legs. Last season, Doctson was healthy enough to suit up for all 16 games but he put up mediocre numbers. He finished the 2017 season with 35 receptions for 502 yards and six touchdowns.
Yes, the six touchdowns are impressive but the Redskins want more from the former first rounder. This year Doctson needs to show that he’s improved on the intermediate routes. Doctson is an excellent red zone threat and jump ball receiver. However, he has to get better in the short passing game by creating separation earlier in his routes.
Alex Smith taking over the helm at quarterback will benefit Doctson tremendously. Smith has developed a reputation for having the utmost trust in his receivers. Doctson will have more opportunities to make big plays because Smith is willing to take shots down the field. Doctson will just have to do what he does best, which is go up and get it. Expect him to make more than a few exciting plays this season.
Jonathan Allen, Defensive Tackle
Jonathan Allen was off to a tremendous start in his rookie season. Unfortunately, he suffered a Lisfranc injury in his left foot and he missed the final 11 games of the 2017 season. When healthy, Allen proved that he can be a force along the defensive line. His presence improves the Redskins rush defense dramatically and that is an area they in which they have struggled mightily. Last year, Washington ranked dead last in the league in total rush yards allowed per game.
In five games, Allen was able to produce ten tackles combined and one sack. But those numbers do not show how big of an impact Allen truly had on the field. Defensive linemen don’t always have the big, flashy stats but they’re very important. They engage blocks up front and allow linebackers to run around freely and make tackles.
Washington missed Jonathan Allen incredibly last year. His ability to push lineman into the backfield and blow up run plays is extremely valuable. With a healthy Allen, the Redskins will continue making positive strides to shore up their defensive front. It also doesn’t hurt that Washington selected Allen’s former college teammate, Da’Ron Payne, in the first round of the 2018 draft. Payne and Allen will terrorize NFL offensive lines together just like they did while they were at Alabama.
Montae Nicholson, Free Safety
Montae Nicholson was a surprise starter for the Washington Redskins last season. The 2017 fourth-round pick out of Michigan State spent most of the last off-season rehabbing a shoulder surgery. The time he missed was crucial because he wasn’t able to build chemistry with his teammates. Safeties have a lot of responsibility as the last line of the defense. Nicholson lost the opportunity to build trust with the rest of the defense early on.
Even though his progression was slowed slightly, Nicholson earned a starting role after the Redskins second game last season. In eight total games, he finished the season with 18 total tackles, two passes defended and one interception. But Nicholson, unfortunately, dealt with injuries all throughout his rookie season. On December 19, 2017, the Redskins placed him on IR because of a concussion.
Nicholson is now fully healthy entering the 2018 season. In his second year, Nicholson is looking to take more of a leadership role with his play on the field. In an interview, Nicholson said, “I’m really not a big vocal person… I just want to lead by example.” With D.J. Swearinger in charge of most of the communication on the back end, Nicholson can focus on playing fast and aggressive.
Fabian Moreau, Cornerback
Fabian Moreau was a 2017 third-round pick out of UCLA. He tore his pectoral at his pro-day and dropped in the draft. He was projected to be selected in the first or second round but slid down the board and the Redskins grabbed him. Rehabbing this injury caused Moreau to immediately fall behind on the Redskins depth chart. Even though he played in all 16 games last year, he did not see a lot of actual playing time.
Last season Moreau was relegated to mostly special teams. The Redskins played him at the gunner spot and he made the most of it. His 4.35 40-yard dash speed made him perfect for pursuing punt/kick returners. Moreau finished the 2017 season with one pass defensed and seven total tackles. With the departures of starting cornerbacks Bashaud Breeland and Kendall Fuller this off-season, Moreau is in line for an expanded role this year.
Josh Norman and Quinton Dunbar will most likely be Washington’s top two corners since they’re more experienced. That means Moreau will be manning the nickel corner position. Moreau needs to come out and prove that he’s capable of locking down the opposing team’s slot receiver. If he excels at nickel then the Redskins will eventually trust him enough to move outside.
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