👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

2016 Fantasy Football Team Outlook - Washington Redskins

This article continues our team outlook series where we will breakdown each NFL team from a fantasy football perspective. We will cover the major changes on each roster from this off season and project what the team will do in the upcoming year.

Today's piece focusses on the Washington Redskins, a team that was a fantasy surprise in 2015.

Editor's Note: Purchase a full season NFL Premium Pass (including Draft Kit + DFS Premium), and also get MLB Premium + DFS for free through October. Premium DFS lineup picks, expert lineups, tools and more - seven days a week. You can see screenshots of our NFL Premium and MLB Premium and DFS tools. What are you waiting for?

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

 

Offseason Moves

Offseason Acquisitions: WR Josh Doctson, TE Vernon Davis

Offseason Departures: RB Alfred Morris

Player to avoid: QB Kirk Cousins

Player to reach for: RB Matt Jones

 

Quarterback

If you had come to me in August 2015 and told me that Kirk Cousins would finish the year as the eighth best fantasy quarterback in standard scoring I would have had you tested for psychedelic drugs. Yet here we are, one year later, talking about Cousins ending up with 4,166 yards and 29 touchdowns, the eighth best fantasy QB in 2015. The question is, how repeatable of a showing is that?

The short answer is "not very repeatable." Move along...kidding. I think the more appropriate analysis on Cousins would be to compare him to 2013 Nick Foles. That was the year where Foles came off the bench to throw 27 touchdowns to just two interceptions. Then in the summer of 2014, some were talking him up as the next surefire fantasy darling. Granted, the situations aren't identical since Cousins isn't being drafted as a stud but the comparison remains; they're both quarterbacks who exceeded expectations and are now being viewed as fantasy options in the follow up draft.

I don't think Cousins is a bad player by any means but in looking at his ADP courtesy of FantasyFootballCalculator, spending a 10th round pick on him seems pretty high. Considering the players you'd have to pass on to get him at that spot (Sammie Coates, Antonio Gates, and Tyrod Taylor to name a few) he just doesn't possess enough value to invest in.

I know most of the "wait on quarterback" truthers will say that he's not going high so if you on the position it's ok to take him. To that I say, if you're waiting until the 10th round just to take Kirk Cousins, why not keep on waiting? Even if you don't want a one year wonder like Taylor, guys like Matthew Stafford, Andy Dalton, and Matt Ryan are going plenty after Cousins, all of whom have a more proven track record of success. Stafford was the ninth best fantasy QB last year so it's not like it'd even be a significant dropoff if Cousins repeats. Besides, I'd much rather have my fantasy hopes tied to someone like Matt Ryan rebounding than crossing my fingers on Cousins. I get the idea of waiting on QB, I just don't believe Cousins is the right option for that strategy.

 

Running Backs

The departure of Alfred Morris has left the door wide open for Matt Jones to have a big year for Washington. Entering his rookie season last year, Jones was talked up as a potential sleeper to eat into Morris' workload and although that happened at various points in the season, he didn't really turn into a solid starter. Now with the job all to himself, Jones seems poised to breakout in 2016.

The knocks on Jones are twofold. For one, he had serious fumbling issues last year which could be attributed to rookie jitters. Second, Jones may lose some targets out of the backfield to fellow RB Chris Thompson. I think the latter is a more realistic concern than the former, especially in PPR formats. Either way, it's hard to find backs who will get the bulk of the looks on the ground at the RB2 level and that's exactly what you're expecting out of Jones. He showed some playmaking ability last year so even if he doesn't have the receptions to bolster his stats, he could be just one big run away from winning you your week.

Jones is currently being taken in the fifth round and even though I agree with that spot in theory, there are still a couple backs going ahead of him that irk me. Give me Jones over an inconsistent Jeremy Hill, Dion Lewis coming off an ACL tear, and an overrated DeMarco Murray. As for Thompson. I wouldn't look into him as a PPR play until we see him actually produce on the field. He might be worth a mid-season pickup, if that.

 

Wide Receivers

The Redskins are home to a trio of wide receivers who could be the key to Cousins' success in 2016. Between DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, and rookie Josh Doctson, this is one of the stronger wideout corps in the NFL. Unfortunately for fantasy purposes, it might be like playing Russian Roulette in regard to who it is will produce on a weekly basis.

Let's start with Jackson. Jackson is by far the most "big play" dependent player on the team and has the ability to win you your week with one massive outing. On the flip side, he also has the potential to put up several four-catch for 40-yard duds in a row before those strong weeks come to fruition. Luckily, Jackson's ADP already has that hit-or-miss attribute baked into his ranking. He's going around the eighth round, within a few picks of rookie Sterling Shepard and veteran Marvin Jones. A bunch of those players in that area have the potential to be steals if things go according to plan so I'm totally fine if Jackson is the one you prefer. Just be weary of the fact that although the big 130 yard, two touchdown games are a possibility, so is the complete opposite of that stat line.

I'm going to make the conscious decision to lump Pierre Garcon and Josh Doctson together here. My reasoning for that is pretty simple in that Doctson is currently nursing a hamstring injury and hasn't been able to practice. That's a huge blow for a rookie since he needs to establish a rapport with his quarterback in order to be productive. Garcon, on the other hand, has been left for dead on fantasy draft boards despite churning out respectable numbers throughout his career. If Doctson ends up missing any time, Garcon will resume his status as the number two wide receiver and could place a stronghold on that position.

Whatever ends up happening, I don't think you're going to want to spend a high pick on either player. Doctson is worth a flier toward the end of your draft while Garcon is another player to keep an eye on once the season starts. It's possible that Doctson heals quickly and becomes a target monster while DeSean stretches the field vertically. It's also equally possible that Doctson is this year's Kevin White and ends up not being a factor his rookie season. We're in a holding pattern here, folks.

 

Tight End

Despite signing Vernon Davis this summer, Jordan Reed is still the workhorse tight end of the Redskins entering the season. 2015's number two tight end, Reed is an absolute beast whenever he's on the field. I emphasize "whenever he's on the field" because he's had his share of injuries throughout his career, specifically with concussions. Even with that in mind, Reed should still be viewed as a lock to finish the year in the top-three at the position because even with that potent trio of wide receivers, he's the best pass catching option they have, hands down.

Reed tends to go in the late third/early fourth round and although that's a bit high for my taste, it's extremely easy to justify, especially if you've solidified studs at other positions by then. His 87 receptions for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns through 14 games last year make him an asset worth having on any fantasy team, particularly PPR formats. Similar to the ideology of waiting on QB, don't dismiss the idea entirely. Wait and see how your draft shakes out and if Reed truly is the best player available when it's your turn to pick in round four or five, pounce.

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jordan Goodwin

Considered Questionable for Monday's Elimination Game
Joel Embiid

Ready to Return Sunday
Mark Williams

to Remain Out Monday
Kevin Huerter

Listed as Questionable for Monday
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Cleared to Play Sunday
Anthony Edwards

Faces Multi-Week Absence
Kevin Durant

Remains Out Sunday
Emil Andrae

Expected to Rejoin Flyers Lineup Monday
Matvei Michkov

Set to Be Scratched for Game 5
Radko Gudas

Remains Sidelined Sunday
Jason Dickinson

a Game-Time Decision Sunday
Maxwell Crozier

to Replace Declan Carlile Sunday
Alexander Nikishin

Diagnosed With Concussion
Viktor Arvidsson

Exits Early Sunday
Theo Johnson

a Dynasty Faller After Busy Giants Offseason
Kyle Monangai

Remains a Dynasty Hold
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Remains a Locked-in Dynasty Stud
Jonah Coleman

Could Have Immediate Impact as Broncos' Short-Yardage Back
Jerry Jeudy

Browns Say Jerry Jeudy Will Not Be Impacted by Rookies
Logan O'Hoppe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List Due to Left-Wrist Fracture
Denny Hamlin

Is Denny Hamlin Worth Rostering for Talladega?
Xavier Worthy

a Buy-Low Candidate for Dynasty Managers Following NFL Draft?
NASCAR

Is Bubba Wallace Playable in Talladega DFS Lineups?
Skyler Bell

Earning Comparisons to Elite NFL Wideout Following NFL Draft
Jayden Daniels

' Supporting Cast in Washington Remains Similar Following NFL Draft
Joe Burrow

Dynasty Value Remains Impacted by Injury Concerns
Josh Naylor

Absent on Sunday With Quad Tightness
Andrei Iosivas

Facing New Competition for Bengals' WR3 Role After NFL Draft
Tyjae Spears

Facing Competition in a Contract Year
Jaylen Wright

Remains an Appealing Handcuff Option Following NFL Draft
Ollie Gordon II

Fighting for a Roster Spot?
Ryan Helsley

Returns From Bereavement List on Sunday
Colby Parkinson

Facing More Competition Than Ever Before
Steven Kwan

Back in Sunday's Lineup
Brent Rooker

Activated and Starting on Sunday Against Rangers
Omarion Hampton

Faces Minimal Competition After the NFL Draft
Roman Anthony

Returns as DH on Sunday
Brandon Aiyuk

Commanders Interested in Brandon Aiyuk, Waiting for His Release
Tyler Reddick

Stay Away From Tyler Reddick at Talladega
Ryan Blaney

Can Ryan Blaney Shake Off The Bad Luck at Talladega?
Austin Cindric

Could Contend For Another Talladega Win
Kyle Busch

an Easy DFS Pick at Talladega
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. a High-Risk, High-Reward Pick at Talladega
Todd Gilliland

a Sleeper to Watch at Talladega
Brad Keselowski

Is Brad Keselowski Worth Rostering for Talladega Lineups?
Blake Corum

2026 Role Appears Secured
Jaxson Dart

The Arrow is Pointing Way Up for Jaxson Dart Ahead of Second Season
Calvin Ridley

Can Calvin Ridley Earn Back a Starting Role?
David Montgomery

Escapes NFL Draft Unscathed
Chase Briscoe

Could Chase Briscoe be A Sneaky Tournament Play for Talladega Lineups?
Chris Godwin Jr.

an Offseason Winner
Christopher Bell

Should DFS Managers Trust Christopher Bell at Talladega?
Ty Gibbs

Is A DFS Risk for Talladega Lineups
Arturs Silovs

Steps in and Saves Pittsburgh on Saturday
Sidney Crosby

Helps Lead Pittsburgh to Road Win Over Philadelphia
Brock Faber

a Huge Factor in Minnesota's Overtime Victory
Matt Boldy

Evens Series Between Minnesota and Dallas in Big Way
Frederik Andersen

a Game-Changer as Carolina Closes Out Ottawa
Logan Stankoven

Scores Yet Again as Carolina Sweeps Ottawa
Desmond Bane

Nails Seven Triples En Route to 25 Points
Cade Cunningham

Finishes Loss With Nine Turnovers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Drops 42 Points on Suns in Game 3
Karl-Anthony Towns

Joins Exclusive List With Triple-Double
Julius Randle

Tossed From Game 4
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Ejected in Game 4 Loss
Donte DiVincenzo

Diagnosed With Torn Right Achilles
Anthony Edwards

Injures Left Knee Saturday
Boston Red Sox

Red Sox Fire Manager Alex Cora and Other Coaches
A.J. Lawson

Questionable for Sunday Due to Back Spasms
Kevin Huerter

Injures Left Hip Saturday
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Iffy for Sunday
Victor Wembanyama

Still Questionable on Injury Report
Kevin Durant

Uncertain for Sunday's Action
Austin Reaves

Listed as Questionable for Sunday's Game 4
Josh Manson

Not Expected to Play Sunday
Mason Lohrei

Set to Miss Game 4 as Healthy Scratch
Emil Andrae

Won't Play Saturday
Arturs Silovs

Starting Game 4 Against Flyers
Dan Vladar

Cleared for Game 4
Mats Zuccarello

Remains Out Saturday
Nikolaj Ehlers

Dealing With Lower-Body Injury
Steven Kwan

Scratched With Neck Stiffness
Trey Yesavage

Returning From Injured List on Tuesday
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Heading to the Injured List With Oblique Strain
Kirby Dach

Battles and Scores Two Points in Friday Triumph
MLB

Saturday's Mets-Rockies Game Postponed Due to Weather
Giancarlo Stanton

Exits With Leg Tightness on Friday
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Scratched on Friday With Mid-Back Pain
Jackson Holliday

Receives Positive Test Results, Will be Shut Down for a Week
Jeff Hoffman

Out as Blue Jays Closer
Youssef Zalal

Set For UFC Vegas 116 Main Event
Aljamain Sterling

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 116
Joselyne Edwards

Set For UFC Vegas 116 Co-Main Event
Norma Dumont

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak
Alexander Hernandez

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 116
Rafa Garcia

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Adrian Luna Martinetti

Set For His UFC Debut
Davey Grant

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Francisco Lindor

Expected to Miss "Significant Time"
Francisco Lindor

Mets Officially Place Francisco Lindor on Injured List With Calf Strain
Michael Harris II

Removed Early With Quad Tightness
Francisco Lindor

Likely Headed to the Injured List
Michael Harris II

Continues to Heat Up With Two-Homer Game on Wednesday
Francisco Lindor

Leaves Wednesday's Game Early With Calf Tightness
CFB

Beau Pribula Leading Virginia Quarterback Competition
Marco Penge

Trending Down Entering Zurich Classic
Sahith Theegala

Eyes Another Strong Week at Zurich Classic
Brooks Koepka

Shane Lowry Teams Up with Brooks Koepka at Zurich Classic
Si Woo Kim

Adds Another Strong Finish at RBC Heritage
Luke Clanton

Hoping to Find Form in New Orleans
Scottie Scheffler

is Starting to Hit His Stride
Brooks Koepka

Looking for Progress in PGA Return With Partner at Zurich Classic
Matt Fitzpatrick

Looks to Share Recent Form at Zurich Classic
CFB

Ashton Daniels Named Florida State's Starting Quarterback
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF