The Washington Redskins have high expectations for the 2015 season after putting together a strong first draft under Scot McCloughan and head coach Jay Gruden is hoping Robert Griffin III can bounce back after adding Brandon Scherff, Jamison Crowder and Matt Jones and this comes as the team could consider a trade with Kirk Cousins after signing Connor Halliday.
Gruden is coming into his second season with the Redskins and he has already confirmed that Griffin will be the starter, hoping to end any discussion about a prolonged quarterback battle. Last season Griffin struggled with injuries and with his play on the field and both Colt McCoy and Kirk Cousins started games for the team. The Redskins picked up the $16 million option on Griffin's contract for 2016 and that likely means he will be the starter for the next two years.
Gruden and McCloughan were both very supportive of Griffin this offseason and the coach named him as the starting quarterback early in the year. The Redskins have invested a lot in Griffin after trading up to take him behind Andrew Luck in the draft and they are hoping he can bounce back in 2015. According to the Washington Post, Gruden said that he expects "a big jump" from Griffin this season and that his offensive system should be easier for the team to handle after a year of experience.
The team added Brandon Scherff in the first round of the draft this year and that should help solidify the offensive line, which was not consistent last season. Griffin needs a steady offensive line to be successful and Scherff could make an impact. Jones won't start over Alfred Morris, but the team needed a replacement for Roy Helu and he can help lessen the workload for Morris. Crowder is also a strong pick after playing four years at Duke and he can be a good slot option behind DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon.
According to Pro Football Talk, the Redskins signed Connor Halliday as an undrafted free agent and there is a chance the team could consider trading Cousins this summer or season if he gets a grasp on Gruden's system. Cousins was up and down last year and he could have interest from teams like the Cleveland Browns or Buffalo Bills depending on how things develop in training camp.
Dan Snyder loves Griffin and the team picked up his fifth year option, so RG3 will be around whether Gruden wants him or not. Gruden is coming off of a last place finish and he will be expecting improvement on offense in year two. Halliday could end up being a training camp arm, but if he fits into Gruden's system, the team already has a competent backup in Colt McCoy.
Mike Shanahan drafted Cousins the same year that Griffin was drafted and McCloughan could look at getting a mid-round draft pick for him when he still has some value. The Redskins finished in the bottom of the NFC East last season and now they have to try and bounce back against the Cowboys, who made the playoffs, along with the improved Eagles and Giants.
