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This is a bit early, but I had to know some opinions. DeSean has been a 1 trick pony that only gets to use his tricky every 3 games or so, garcon has been consistent, good, but not a difference maker, and have been paying them what, 10-12 mil per year.

DeAndre Hopkins will likely hit FA next year, he has some major issues with the Texans and they have a terrible QB. I'd kind of like to see us pursue him. Having him and Doctson on the outside, crowder and reed on the inside would potentially make next year's corps even better than this year.

I'm sure we could sign him to 3-4 years around 14m a year, which would be a good deal for us too.

Thoughts?

Docston being on the IR sure is making that a hard question to answer.

Not sure I agree about DeSean being a one trick pony and all of that. He's a legit weapon that I think we fail to use as well as we should. Not sure if that's on play calling or QB making his reads or what.

DeSean is ok, but he's battled injuries during his time with us, has been streaky, and from what I've heard from a route perspective is average, plus for a speed guy age is getting up there. Would be great for a couple million more get a top receiver who will probably be under valued on his first contract, can fill in the #1 role for us for years, has ok height, great hands and routes, vertical, and pair him with Doctson who has height and great vertical. Would really be a dangerous combo to put together with crowder and reed in the middle of the field.

Yeah I don't disagree with most of that. Especially agree that I wouldn't overspend on a speedy WR who is getting into his 30s.

Just saying I think he's still a much better WR than your original post. I've heard different theories on why we're not getting him the ball more consistently.

I'm hoping we'll be able to bring back one of those guys, either Garcon or DJax. Wouldn't overpay for either one, but they're both quality WRs IMO. With uncertainty around Reed, I'm not sure it would be a great idea to let both of them go, are you? A position of strength this year could go downhill very quickly.

Hopkins would be an awesome addition to the team. An under the radar guy we might also be able to grab on the cheap after his first contract is Cordarelle Patterson. The kid is big and can run, was very raw coming out of college, but may be actually getting it in the last few weeks. I'm not saying bring him in to be a #1, but I think he can be a nice addition.

Cousins just isn't that accurate on deep balls. It's nice to have speedy receivers, but if the QB can't get them the ball, then it's really a moot point.

Deadskins wrote:Cousins just isn't that accurate on deep balls. It's nice to have speedy receivers, but if the QB can't get them the ball, then it's really a moot point.

I don't know about that. I'd suggest that you Google "cousins jackson touchdown pass" and refresh your memory.

Kirk Cousins 64-yard touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson - NFL.com
Video: DeSean Jackson catches 77-yard TD from Kirk Cousins | SI.com
Skins get within 21-16 on DeSean Jackson TD - The Washington Post "Sep 25, 2016 - The Redskins finally get big plays, going twice in a row to WR DeSean Jackson, including a 44-yard touchdown pass from QB Kirk Cousins"
Kirk Cousins Flings a Deep 63-Yard TD Pass to DeSean Jackson ...
Kirk Cousins' 56-Yard TD Bomb to DeSean Jackson! | Redskins vs ...
WATCH: DeSean Jackson 81-yard TD Catch - Washington Redskins Sep 21, 2014 - Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins connects with wide receiver DeSean Jackson for an 81-yard touchdown.

I know they've missed some shots this season, but the last two weeks in particular it just doesn't seem like they've even been targeting DJax much.

A lot of the misses were due to pressure, and most of them came in that one game with the crazy wind. Plus, a speedster like Jackson is harder to connect with then a bigger target that wins battles like DeAndre. Also coupling with Doctson would begin transforming the team to some actual skilled receivers with height, which we haven't had in a long long time

riggofan wrote:

Deadskins wrote:Cousins just isn't that accurate on deep balls. It's nice to have speedy receivers, but if the QB can't get them the ball, then it's really a moot point.

I don't know about that. I'd suggest that you Google "cousins jackson touchdown pass" and refresh your memory.

Kirk Cousins 64-yard touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson - NFL.com
Video: DeSean Jackson catches 77-yard TD from Kirk Cousins | SI.com
Skins get within 21-16 on DeSean Jackson TD - The Washington Post "Sep 25, 2016 - The Redskins finally get big plays, going twice in a row to WR DeSean Jackson, including a 44-yard touchdown pass from QB Kirk Cousins"
Kirk Cousins Flings a Deep 63-Yard TD Pass to DeSean Jackson ...
Kirk Cousins' 56-Yard TD Bomb to DeSean Jackson! | Redskins vs ...
WATCH: DeSean Jackson 81-yard TD Catch - Washington Redskins Sep 21, 2014 - Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins connects with wide receiver DeSean Jackson for an 81-yard touchdown.

I know they've missed some shots this season, but the last two weeks in particular it just doesn't seem like they've even been targeting DJax much.

Well, I'm going off my own eyes and memory. Just because he has connected on long passes doesn't mean that the throws were accurate, deep balls. Some passes were shorter and Jackson had YAC. Some he had to adjust to and then make the defender(s) miss. And some he just made a spectacular catch (like the one against the vaGiants). Only a couple of times do I remember Cousins hitting Jackson (or anyone else) in stride over the shoulder where the receiver didn't have to adjust to the ball. Again, just my recollection.

Cousins has not looked as good on the fade passes in the red zone and on the long passes - I'm not sure why ...

he's completed some but ....

Our WR group next year is still going to be a huge asset

Being able to run the ball better makes any offense look good

riggofan wrote:

Deadskins wrote:Cousins just isn't that accurate on deep balls. It's nice to have speedy receivers, but if the QB can't get them the ball, then it's really a moot point.

I don't know about that. I'd suggest that you Google "cousins jackson touchdown pass" and refresh your memory.

Kirk Cousins 64-yard touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson - NFL.com
Video: DeSean Jackson catches 77-yard TD from Kirk Cousins | SI.com
Skins get within 21-16 on DeSean Jackson TD - The Washington Post "Sep 25, 2016 - The Redskins finally get big plays, going twice in a row to WR DeSean Jackson, including a 44-yard touchdown pass from QB Kirk Cousins"
Kirk Cousins Flings a Deep 63-Yard TD Pass to DeSean Jackson ...
Kirk Cousins' 56-Yard TD Bomb to DeSean Jackson! | Redskins vs ...
WATCH: DeSean Jackson 81-yard TD Catch - Washington Redskins Sep 21, 2014 - Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins connects with wide receiver DeSean Jackson for an 81-yard touchdown.

I know they've missed some shots this season, but the last two weeks in particular it just doesn't seem like they've even been targeting DJax much.

Granted Cousins and Jackson have not played many years together. However you can find many more deep passes from Matt Ryan to Julio. Or Rogers to Nelson. Especially Cousins to Reed 15 yards.

Kirk is better with the intermediate to short routes. Also it's harder to connect deep with shorter receivers as well. All though Manning and Harrison have plenty of deep bombs.
Jackson stretches the defense out and usually demands a safety over top. Which also helps Reed out.
Still there are opportunities when Jackson is open and Kirk has missed. I also recall Jackson dropping a pass that was a perfect pass from Kirk.

Also there is no denying that Reed and even Crowder are Kirks favorites.

Prowl33 wrote:This is a bit early, but I had to know some opinions. DeSean has been a 1 trick pony that only gets to use his tricky every 3 games or so, garcon has been consistent, good, but not a difference maker, and have been paying them what, 10-12 mil per year.

DeAndre Hopkins will likely hit FA next year, he has some major issues with the Texans and they have a terrible QB. I'd kind of like to see us pursue him. Having him and Doctson on the outside, crowder and reed on the inside would potentially make next year's corps even better than this year.

I'm sure we could sign him to 3-4 years around 14m a year, which would be a good deal for us too.

Thoughts?

Hopkins is going to demand top dollar. Doctson has yet to show he can play.

I like Cordarelle he's an athletic freak with size.

Deadskins wrote:Cousins just isn't that accurate on deep balls. It's nice to have speedy receivers, but if the QB can't get them the ball, then it's really a moot point.

Once you said this, I almost immediately agreed. However, there have been a number of deep passes by Cousins that have been dropped. I find the truth to be somewhere in the middle --- he doesn't have a great deep ball, but he's isn't "inaccurate"; more like he is mediocre.

I also agree that he doesn't really have much time in the pocket. I still maintain that Cousins (and playcalling/scheme in this respect) makes our OL look much much better than they are. I have always believed the best way to determine a good OL is based on the run blocking game. I know the aspects are different, but how big the holes are for the RBs tells you much more than how often a QB gets hit. And our best OL are also our best run blockers -- Scherff and Williams. And a QB's ability to stand tall and apply proper technique without pressure is incredibly important in making accurate deep passes.

As far as our WR core --- I anticipate that we will resign (1) EITHER Garcon or Jackson (but not both) or (2) neither. Age is a consideration as Garcon will be 31 next year and Jackson will be 31 by the time next season ends; however, I find that the "WR dropoff" occurs around age 34 --- so both have a couple good years left. Now, would either Jackson or Garcon be open to signing a cap friendly deal (something like a 5 or 6 year deal with large amounts of non-guaranteed $$$ on the back end) essentially working out to a 2-3 year contract? And considering our other needs, we won't have the space to sign both. It is difficult to determine which is the preference as Jackson stretches the field for Cousins, but Garcon is a good possession guy, is a good blocker, and plays hard. We'll only have Crowder and Doctson so we'll need at least 1 back. And Doctson is a complete unknown in terms of how good he is at an NFL level (or even if he can stay healthy).

As far as Hopkins --- he'll be $$$$$ given he's 24. I'm not sure that is the area we want to spend our cap money on. I'd prefer that we sign a COUPLE top DEF players (DL, 2ndary) vs. Hopkins. I'd even prefer signing a C, G, or RT over a WR, personally.

One thing I've noticed this year is that Cousins has overthrown WRs on the deep pass several times. Thought it was kind of unusual. I can remember throws last year where the comment was made that its nearly impossible to overthrow DJax.

I'm probably more in agreement with markshark84 on the topic. Wouldn't describe Cousins as mediocre or inaccurate on the deep pass. Just capable.

When I think of a QB who was inaccurate on the deep pass, Jason Campbell is the guy who immediately comes to mind. Am I crazy on that? I just remember every single game, the team sending someone deep, Campbell heaving the ball down the sidelines, and never, ever connecting.

Cousins does not need to make a lot of deep passes - he just needs to make a couple of them

Cousins short to intermediate passes are his strength and he's gaining a lot of confidence



it's early - Jackson, Garcon, Crowder and Doctson are a good group to start with next season

there's 9 games to go and a lot of things could happen

SkinsJock wrote:Cousins does not need to make a lot of deep passes - he just needs to make a couple of them

Cousins short to intermediate passes are his strength and he's gaining a lot of confidence



it's early - Jackson, Garcon, Crowder and Doctson are a good group to start with next season

there's 9 games to go and a lot of things could happen

I'd say with about a 95% certainty that we won't retain both Jackson AND Garcon, unless they agree to short term contracts for lower money than they make now. Plus we will want Doctson on the field in a starting role, so it makes no sense to keep them both.

Prowl33 wrote:I'd say with about a 95% certainty that we won't retain both Jackson AND Garcon, unless they agree to short term contracts for lower money than they make now. Plus we will want Doctson on the field in a starting role, so it makes no sense to keep them both.

I wouldn't be certain on anything with the WRs. Agree that its unlikely we would keep both. Even if we just want to keep one though, its always possible we get outbid by some team willing to pony up more than we want to pay.

Hurts my bones though to see you writing that "we will want Doctson on the field in a starting role". I know he's a first round pick, but we don't know for sure that he can get healthy much less that he can contribute as an NFL starter. No way in hell we can bank on him.