Washington Redskins 2016 Roster: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

The Washington Redskins, an esteemed franchise in the National Football League (NFL), embarked on the 2016 season with a roster brimming with talent and experience. This article delves into the intricate details of the team's personnel, providing an in-depth analysis of their strengths, weaknesses, and key players.

Offense

Quarterbacks

• Kirk Cousins: Cousins emerged as the Redskins' starting quarterback in 2016, showcasing his exceptional passing ability. With 4,917 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, he was ranked among the league's top passers.
• Colt McCoy: Serving as Cousins' backup, McCoy provided stability and leadership in limited appearances, completing 64.7% of his passes for 831 yards.

Running Backs

• Matt Jones: As the lead running back, Jones rushed for 868 yards and 4 touchdowns, proving to be a versatile and reliable runner.
• Chris Thompson: Thompson excelled in the pass-catching role, accumulating 54 receptions for 547 yards and 3 touchdowns.
• Robert Kelley: Emerging as a valuable depth option, Kelley contributed 281 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns.

Wide Receivers

• Pierre Garçon: Garçon served as the team's primary playmaker, catching 79 passes for 1,041 yards and 3 touchdowns.
• DeSean Jackson: Known for his explosive speed, Jackson hauled in 56 passes for 1,005 yards and 4 touchdowns, stretching defenses with his deep-threat ability.
• Jamison Crowder: Crowder emerged as a reliable slot receiver, recording 84 catches for 706 yards.

Tight Ends

• Jordan Reed: Reed established himself as one of the most dangerous tight ends in the league, catching 87 passes for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns.
• Vernon Davis: Davis provided experience and leadership, contributing 43 receptions for 583 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Offensive Line

• Trent Williams: Williams, a Pro Bowl selection, anchored the offensive line at left tackle, providing exceptional pass protection.
• Shawn Lauvao: Lauvao solidified the left guard position, earning recognition with a Pro Bowl selection.
• Spencer Long: Long showcased his versatility, starting at both center and right guard.
• Brandon Scherff: Scherff, a rising star, excelled at right guard, establishing himself as one of the league's most dominant interior offensive linemen.

Defense

Defensive Line

• Ryan Kerrigan: Kerrigan led the Redskins' pass rush with 11 sacks, showcasing his relentless effort and tenacity.
• Trent Murphy: Despite missing the first four games due to injury, Murphy recorded 9 sacks, highlighting his impact as a pass rusher.
• Jonathan Allen: A highly touted rookie, Allen made an immediate impact, notching 8 sacks and demonstrating his potential as a defensive force.

Linebackers

• Ryan Anderson: Anderson emerged as a dynamic linebacker, leading the team with 12 tackles for loss.
• Zach Brown: Brown patrolled the middle of the defense, recording 112 tackles and 3 interceptions.
• Will Compton: As a reliable veteran, Compton contributed 97 tackles and added leadership to the linebacker corps.

Secondary

• Josh Norman: Norman, the team's prized offseason acquisition, lived up to expectations, establishing himself as one of the league's top cornerbacks with 4 interceptions and a league-leading 117 tackles.
• Bashaud Breeland: Breeland provided solid coverage opposite Norman, intercepting 4 passes and earning a reputation for his physicality.
• D.J. Swearinger: Swearinger emerged as a playmaker at safety, intercepting 4 passes and delivering punishing hits.

Special Teams

• Dustin Hopkins: Hopkins proved to be a reliable kicker, converting 29 of 35 field goals and 44 of 45 extra points.
• Tress Way: Way showcased his punting prowess, averaging 45.4 yards per punt and landing 27 punts inside the 20-yard line.
• Jamison Crowder: Crowder also served as the team's punt returner, averaging 9.2 yards per return and providing a spark to the special teams unit.

Team Performance

Despite the presence of numerous talented players, the Washington Redskins struggled to achieve consistent success in 2016. The team finished the regular season with an 8-7-1 record, missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

Strengths:

• High-Powered Offense: The Redskins boasted an explosive offense, averaging 25.4 points per game. Quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver DeSean Jackson, and tight end Jordan Reed formed a potent passing attack.
• Solid Defense: The defense displayed its strength in pressuring opposing quarterbacks, ranking among the top 10 in the league with 39 sacks. Defensive end Ryan Kerrigan and cornerback Josh Norman were key contributors.
• Exceptional Special Teams: The Redskins' special teams unit performed at a high level, led by kicker Dustin Hopkins and punter Tress Way.

Weaknesses:

• Inconsistent Running Game: The Redskins' running game struggled to establish a consistent rhythm, lacking a reliable workhorse who could consistently move the chains.
• Secondary Depth: Despite the presence of starters Josh Norman and Bashaud Breeland, the Redskins' secondary lacked sufficient depth, which was exposed when injuries occurred.
• Coaching Issues: The team's head coach, Jay Gruden, faced criticism for his play-calling and game management decisions, which at times hindered the team's performance.

Key Personnel Moves

• Acquiring Josh Norman: The Redskins made a significant offseason acquisition by signing cornerback Josh Norman to a lucrative contract. Norman's presence transformed the defense and immediately became one of the team's most important players.
• Signing Kirk Cousins to Extension: The team rewarded quarterback Kirk Cousins with a franchise-tag contract, securing his services for the 2016 season. Cousins' performance justified the investment, as he emerged as one of the league's top passers.
• Drafting Jonathan Allen: With the 17th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Redskins selected defensive end Jonathan Allen. Allen made an immediate impact as a rookie, providing a formidable pass rush and demonstrating his potential to become a defensive cornerstone.

Future Outlook

The future holds both challenges and opportunities for the Washington Redskins.

Challenges:

• Quarterback Situation: Kirk Cousins is set to become a free agent in 2017, and the team must decide whether to re-sign him or pursue other options.
• Offensive Line Depth: Injuries and inconsistent play have exposed the Redskins' lack of depth on the offensive line, which could compromise their offensive production in the future.
• Secondary Consistency: The Redskins' secondary has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL, but they need to develop more consistent depth to maintain their high level of play.

Opportunities:

• Youthful Talent: The Redskins have a young and talented roster, with several players entering their prime years. The development of these players could lead to a resurgence in the team's performance.
• Aggressive Free Agent Approach: The Redskins have significant salary cap space available, which could enable them to aggressively pursue top free agents and bolster their roster in key areas.
• Coaching Stability: If the Redskins retain head coach Jay Gruden, they can hope for greater consistency and continuity, which could translate into improved on-field results.

Conclusion

The Washington Redskins' 2016 roster showcased a blend of experience and emerging talent. Despite the team's inconsistent performance, the presence of several key players provides hope for a brighter future. With a young and promising core, astute free agent signings, and continued development, the Redskins have the potential to compete for a playoff berth and beyond in the years to come.

Tables

Table 1: Statistical Leaders

Table 2: Draft Picks

Table 3: Notable Free Agent Acquisitions

Table 4: Injuries