The Washington Redskins had a strong first draft class under new general manager Scot McCloughan and players like Matt Jones, Brandon Scherff and Jamison Crowder looked very good in rookie minicamp and they could push to contribute for RG3 this season if that continues and this comes as the team could consider a trade with Kirk Cousins with Colt McCoy as the top backup for Robert Griffin III.
The Redskins are coming into the season after another last place finish and with Robert Griffin already handed the starting job by Jay Gruden, the team is focused on getting the offense back on track. Last year Gruden implemented his system and much like the Giants with Ben McAdoo, it often takes a full year for the players to grasp the scheme. According to NFL.com, Gruden said that the Redskins should be much more consistent on offense in year two of his system and that Griffin is ready to take a major leap in 2015.
Griffin has been up and down since his electric rookie season and now Gruden is hoping naming him the starter early helps take some pressure off as offseason workouts begin. The team made some major additions in the draft, taking Brandon Scherff in the first round and adding two potential future starters in Jamison Crowder and Matt Jones. Right now those two are set to be contributors on offense and likely won't push to start yet with Alfred Morris, DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon there, but they should be able to help out right away.
According to the Washington Post, Mike Jones writes that Smith and Crowder were the best running back and wide receiver in rookie minicamp, while Scherff "looked like the best offensive lineman." The team has practices coming up next week and if Jones and Crowder continue to look good along with Scherff, those players all could contribute in year one for Gruden.
The Redskins brought back Colt McCoy on a contract to serve as the backup for Griffin and it comes after he was fairly impressive while starting last year in limited playing time. Griffin dealt with inconsistency and injuries last year and the season before, but Gruden said that Griffin is coming in as healthy as he has been since 2012. Griffin won the rookie of the year that season and Gruden feels that he can be as effective as he was that year for the Redskins.
Griffin had the fifth year option on his contract picked up and in a way this is a "prove it" year for him, although the contract is set to pay him $16 million. Griffin is penciled in as the starter and if he plays well, the team could consider an extension. According to Pro Football Talk, the team could consider a trade with Kirk Cousins this summer if they can get a decent draft pick, as he is nearing free agency and McCoy proved that he can start behind Griffin. Gruden and the Redskins likely will wait until training camp to see what develops, but after the Browns showed interest last year it could be an option to move Cousins.
