Washington Redskins 2016 Season Preview

(photo credit: mstarsnews.musictimes.com)

Washington took the league by storm last season. After #2 overall pick Robert Griffin III struggled to regain the magic he captured his rookie year he was benched. Head coach Jay Gruden turned to Michigan State product Kirk Cousins. After being inconsistent over the first three seasons Cousins took the league by storm, leading the league completion percentage. That along with a defense which became league average after finishing near the bottom of the league helped Washington finish first in the NFC East.

Washington is on track to repeat as the champions of the NFC East. Even though last season's leading tackler Dashon Goldson is no longer on the team the defense shouldn't take step back. Washington ranked in the bottom third in most major pass defense categories last season and made that a priority in the offseason. Three of their free agent signings and one of their draft picks were in the secondary highlighted by Josh Norman. Norman solidified himself as a shutdown corner with Carolina finishing seventh in the NFL in plays on passes. Third round draft pick Kendall Fuller from Virginia Tech should add some athleticism to the back of the defense.

At the end of the day Washington's success hinges on how Cousins preforms now that the NFL has film on him. Fully aware of the Washington used their first round draft pick to bring along TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson. While his route runner will need to be developed along by the coaching staff Doctson along with a healthy DeSean Jackson should provide targets to help Cousins strech the field. And when Gruden decides to work the intermediate passing game he has Tight Ends Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis along with Pierre Garcon. As long as Cousins does not regress from last year's performance Washington should win 10 games along with the division again.