INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 26: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Washington Redskins interviews during the second day of the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 26, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
The Redskins want Ron Rivera to return the franchise to respectability in his first season. To make that happen, he’ll need big seasons from five stars.
Redskins fans need to be patient with their favorite team in 2020. It’s too early for Ron Rivera to transform the team into legitimate playoff contenders. Instead, the goal should be turning Washington’s young roster into a dangerous opponent for everyone on their schedule.
To make that happen, Rivera and his staff are going to need a ton of young players to step up and prove they are capable of being quality starters. On offense, tons of questions still swirl around whether or not Dwayne Haskins deserves to be called the team’s quarterback of the present and future. Consider this season a long audition for the former Ohio State standout.
On defense, the arrival of another former Buckeyes star has Rivera and his defensive coaches chomping at the bit. Chase Young has the natual talent to turn this intriguing front seven into a downright ferocious group. The defense shouldn’t finish 27th in the NFL in terms of points allowed on Rivera’s watch.
This season should be more about player progression than wins and losses for the Redskins. Fans should keep a particularly close eye on the following five guys.
5. Antonio Gibson
This offense isn’t good enough to consistently move the ball against quality defenses this season. That means the Redskins will need chunk plays to stay in games against good opponents.
That’s why the front office spent a third round pick on Gibson in this year’s draft. The former Memphis standout is going to see snaps at both running back and receiver. His job will be to create big plays whenever he gets the ball in open space.
Gibson won’t be a consistent producer all season long for the Redskins’ offense, but they need flash plays from him as a rookie. Look for Washington’s staff to do everything they can to scheme him into an impact player.