Washington Redskins receiver Josh Doctson needs to have a solid year -- just like his team -- for fans to truly believe. That's why we're talking Doctson, believing in the Redskins and more in this week's mailbag.
Is Josh Doctson guaranteed a starting WR spot or could we see someone like Mo Harris or Robert Dsvis push for some playing time at his position? #jkmailbag
— Doug E (@Fresh71681) June 15, 2018
John Keim: No, Maurice Harris and Robert Davis are not going to challenge him for the starting job. Neither one can match his talent or skill level. But for Doctson, this will be a pivotal season in his career and should tell us a lot about him. He improved last season but, while he had some moments (the Seattle catch), he didn't have what you could call a breakout game. He did have a good four-catch, 81-yard game at New Orleans. But he's capable of more and the Redskins are hoping that having Alex Smith can help him be more productive. It should also help that he had a full offseason -- and was healthy. It gave him a chance to play, then work on areas of his game (honing his route-running) based on what he saw during the season.
Earlier this offseason, Doctson said his confidence has grown just from experience.
"Being out on the field, seeing myself catch the ball in clutch situations last year," he said. "Dropping the ball in clutch situations last year. All that plays a role and is going to make me better."
Harris and Davis aren't near him as an overall package. Doctson is just more explosive and tracks the ball better. He had to learn things as a receiver last year, like how to set up defenders at an NFL level. For example, he needed to do a better job setting up fade routes in the red zone to create a little bit of separation. Or he had to learn how to adjust a slant route when the corner is playing him off vs. up. I don't know what Doctson's ceiling is; does he have the mindset to be the top guy? I think we'll find out this season. I just know that coaches and teammates love talking about his potential. This would be a good season to see if they're accurate.
#JKMailbag: What is your advice for Skins fans for approaching this season? While we haven't quite been worst franchise in NFL last 20 years, we've consistently been dysfunctionally underwhelming. Hope builds & then crumbles. Where should we be mentally for Alex Smith era?
— Brandon Katz (@Great_Katzby) June 15, 2018
Keim: My advice? Keep those Washington Capital highlights nearby to provide pick-me-ups. I feel for you. And I don't blame the entire fan base for feeling this way, either. It's been such a long time since they were consistently good; heck, they haven't even won 11 games since 1991.
All I can do is be realistic. I thought the last three years they were in that seven-to-nine win range. I thought last year they'd go 9-7. Had they been healthier they might have done so. Coming out of the spring, I like this team better than last year's group. I like that they finally have a young defensive line with talent. Better yet, the group knows how to work. I do think Smith will help and that Derrius Guice could have a strong rookie year.
Earlier in the week, coach Jay Gruden said, he was "very, very confident, very happy with what we have here."
They felt confident last summer, too. But injuries ruined any chance for them to succeed. They weren't deep enough or good enough to overcome them all.
I'm like all of you: I need to see it on the field. It's been too long. Gruden seems to be a coach who needs to have strong veteran leadership on the roster; do they have enough in that area? Health, the schedule and the division give me the most pause. I don't have to make any sort of prediction on their record again until after the preseason. At that time we'll have a much better idea about Guice and rookie defensive lineman Daron Payne and their possible impact. And how the corners are faring (Orlando Scandrick, Quinton Dunbar and Fabian Moreau). That's a big question, too. I definitely am not predicting doom and gloom (assuming they're healthy). But this summer will provide a lot more answers.
I guess you can look at it this way: If they don't make the playoffs, then your hope could come in the form of a new coach. Smith's teams do win -- often because his style works well with a good defense. The Chiefs did not have a good D last year and they still made the playoffs. I'd say you can be cautiously optimistic, but I'd make sure I crossed every finger and toe. It's too hard to trust this franchise. Before you dive in, I'd make sure the water was warm.
Until then, enjoy the Stanley Cup hangover.