The Redskins should be a fun team to watch this season with several quality Fantasy options. The key is Robert Griffin III, and I'm expecting him to rebound in a big way.
Last year was a lost season coming off the knee injury from 2012, and he never looked right. But he has the chance to bounce back with new coach Jay Gruden, the addition of DeSean Jackson and being healthy all offseason. He should return to his rookie production level.
Griffin was hindered last year by a knee brace and limited offseason work, but the brace is gone and Griffin has been working out already with his receivers. And the addition of Gruden should help.
Gruden has already said he wants Griffin to run when possible, which is a great sign, and Gruden also helped Andy Dalton finish as a Top 12 Fantasy quarterback the past two seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Bengals. He also got two new weapons in Jackson and Andre Roberts, and along with Pierre Garcon and Jordan Reed, Griffin's receiving corps could be dominant.
We like Griffin as a Top 10 Fantasy quarterback coming into the year. He's worth drafting with a mid-round pick, and he could provide big rewards, especially if he’s comfortable running again. We're excited for his outlook in 2014.
In sticking with this passing game, let's look at Jackson as well. He had a career season with the Eagles in 2013, and he was rewarded for it by being cut due to apparent differences with coach Chip Kelly and management. The Redskins signed Jackson, and he will immediately become their No. 2 receiver behind Garcon.
His value will take a hit going to the Redskins since 2013 was the first time he was the clear-cut No. 1 option (he previously shared that role with Jeremy Maclin). We're expecting him to post stats similar to his production prior to 2013, which was around 55 catches, 950 yards and five touchdowns on average. He should be drafted as a low-end No. 2/high-end No. 3 Fantasy receiver worth a pick in Round 5 or 6.
Garcon should continue to be the No. 1 receiver for the Redskins, and he's a high-end No. 2 Fantasy receiver. He led the NFL in targets in 2013 with 184, but he had just six games with double digits in Fantasy points.
We hope Garcon will be more consistent this season, and the addition of Jackson should help take away coverage. He is worth drafting in Round 4 in standard formats and in Round 3 in PPR leagues.
Reed is someone to target if you miss on the elite tight ends, and he has the chance for a breakout season if he can stay healthy. Reed played well as a rookie in 2013 with 45 catches for 499 yards and three touchdowns, but he was limited to nine games because of concussion problems.
He should be fine to start this season, and he has tremendous upside. The Redskins have plenty of weapons to draw coverage outside with Garcon and Jackson, leaving Reed the chance to exploit the middle of the field. He could emerge as a Top 5 tight end if everything breaks right, but we would draft him as a Top 10 option with a mid-round pick.
