Impact Analysis: Redskins address WR and TE in draft

April 30, 2008 @ 14:24:30

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Herija C. Green

Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell must be a happy man. Not only does he have a new player-friendly, former quarterback as his head coach (Jim Zorn), the team added three new weapons in the 2008 NFL Draft: University of Oklahoma receiver Malcolm Kelly, Michigan State wideout Devin Thomas and University of Southern California tight end Fred Davis. For a team with needs at offensive line, defensive end and defensive back, the move for more offense was a bit surprising; not so much that they took a receiver (it was a need), but that they took two receivers and one tight end all in the second round.

The team lacked options in their receiving corps last year. Wide receivers Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El were good targets, but there was a huge drop after those two. Randle El ranked second on the team with 79 targets. The next wide receiver was veteran Keenan McCardell with 31.

One big disappointment was receiver Brandon Lloyd. He joined the 'Skins from the San Francisco 49ers in March 2006. In two seasons with the Redskins, Lloyd had a total of 379 receiving yards from 25 receptions, with just two receptions coming last year. The team released him and his sideline tantrums this offseason.

The other three receivers - McCardell, James Thrash and Reche Caldwell - combined for 46 receptions and 504 receiving yards. Thrash remains on roster, but the other two were allowed to walk away this offseason. Caldwell joined the St. Louis Rams, while McCardell remains un-signed since his release.

The new arrivals

The wide receivers wouldn't be anything without the system they employ. Zorn's system should be easier on players than former offensive coordinator Al Saunders' system was. Saunders' playbook was notorious for its complexity, so the change should help the new receivers adapt. Zorn and offensive coordinator Sherman Smith are looking to employ a West Coast offense (WCO) similar to the one used by the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos. His offense will likely be run-first; however, he is excited at the flexibility provided by the new personnel.

"I'm excited about the ability to change personnel groups, that's what I think I'm most excited about, because that's what aids this particular style of offense -- personnel groups and changing them. We'll be able to utilize certain guys for certain situations. And then the height that these two receivers have, to get them down in the red zone and to have them go up for the ball and compete against a shorter corner will be a real advantage."

Kelly and Thomas share two qualities that should help them in Zorn's version of the WCO; they are both tall receivers. Kelly is 6-foot-4, while Thomas stands 6-foot-2. Both were top-rated receivers who had serious flags that saw them drop out of the first round.

Kelly's drop stemmed from his lackluster offseason workouts. His 40-yard dash (4.68) was slow for the position, and his maturity was questioned after he accused the Oklahoma staff of trying to sabotage him. According to one NFL scout, problems with his speed, maturity and knees were the reason for his drop. His production in his final season (49-821-9) was decent. His size and strength should be his biggest contribution.

Thomas does not have the strength of Kelly, but he brings other qualities to the table. His 40-yard dash (4.40) was substantially faster than Kelly's. He is a playmaker that can work anywhere on the field. The big question surrounding him is his lack of a track record of success. He caught just six passes in 2006, before his breakout 2007 season (79-1,260-8).

According to Zorn, Thomas and Kelly will both start out at the flanker (Z) position behind Moss, where their superior size and unique abilities (Kelly - strength, Thomas - speed-size combination) should make them matchup problems. This will also help them develop their blocking skills, which figures to be a big part of Zorn's run-first offensive philosophy, at least to begin the season. If anyone is going to be moved around the field, it likely is Thomas, whose quick acceleration and good straight-line speed make it harder to match up against him with nickel and dime backs.

The Redskins selected Davis with their second pick in the second round (48th overall). Davis was the winner of the John Mackey Award during his senior season at USC, which is given to college football's top tight end. Davis is a similar player to incumbent tight end Chris Cooley and has adequate size with a long reach. He figures to serve primarily as a possession receiver in the passing game, which should allow Cooley to stretch the field.

When Zorn was in Seattle as quarterbacks coach, the team employed a two-tight end system, which could be employed in Washington. Often they would line up with the two tight ends, splitting both out into a four-wide set. This is the kind of flexibility Davis and Cooley should give the team. Offensive coordinator Sherman Smith, who joined the team from the Tennessee Titans, is also used to managing multiple tight ends after his time with the Titans.

Davis should back up Cooley initially. If he takes to the offense quickly, look for the team to integrate him more often, especially on the aforementioned two-tight end sets.

A big reason for these moves comes from a lack of size in their offense. The WCO requires receivers to be big and physical - good reach is a bonus - that can overpower their defender on the short and midrange timing routes. Randle El and Moss both measure 5-foot-10 and weigh 200 pounds or less. They are solid shifty receivers, but neither offers the physicality of Kelly or Thomas.

The old guard

While the new additions should help the offense, wide receivers have a notoriously slow learning curve. Unless you are New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss, it is usually a three- or four-year period before you make the jump.

Moss, Randle El and Cooley should all remain starters in the offense. Nagging injuries were a problem for both last year (Moss - groin/heel, Randle El - hamstring) but they should be healthy entering training camp. Moss was the better last year of the two, finishing with 808 receiving yards on 61 receptions. However, he was up and down all season. Randle El turned in a decent season; finishing last year with 728 receiving yards from 51 receptions. The team could line him up in the slot if either one of their young receivers prove capable of playing opposite Moss.

Fantasy outlook

The draft has just been completed and full training camps have yet to take place. This makes it hard to project the fantasy value for the holdovers, let alone the new additions. A lot of their value could depend on how well Campbell adapts to a new offense. Zorn may have his work cut out improving Campbell's footwork, which needs work in this offense.

Moss and Randle El were midrange No. 3 options at wide receiver last year. For this season, Randle El's value figures to take the biggest hit, making him a decent No. 5 wide receiver with marginal upside. Moss should still be viewed as a decent No. 3 option.

Kelly and Thomas don't figure to have a lot of value in their first year, though Kelly is an intriguing late-round flier in touchdown-only leagues due to his red zone potential. Thomas could operate out of the slot early on and could be a No. 5 or No. 6 option in very deep single-year leagues. Both could be stashed in long-term keeper leagues.

Cooley is still an upper-echelon No. 1 tight end; however, his value could be diminished slightly. The Redskins didn't bring in Davis for his blocking ability, so he could steal some catches from Cooley. On the flip side, the switch to the West Coast offense may lead to an expanded role for Cooley, which should help to offset any value he may lose to the rookie. As for Davis, he should not be drafted in fantasy leagues just yet, unless you are in a long-term keeper league.

None of the other receivers on the Redskins have any fantasy value and could find it hard to make the 53-man roster.

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Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.

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