A big problem for the Washington Redskins isn't just that they're coming off a four-win season. It's that they need to find more young building blocks. They know it and it's one reason Scot McCloughan was hired as general manager.
ESPN NFL and college scout Matt Williamson, an ex-NFL scout, ranked the Redskins last in the NFL for under-25 talent (as of Jan. 1) in this comprehensive piece
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Here's a look at how he ranked the Redskins' talent, with my take underneath.
Jordan Reed, TE (24): Reed is a matchup nightmare and one of my favorite young tight ends. He is at his best when detached from the formation, but is highly versatile in terms of his alignment and as a route-runner. Durability is his biggest concern.
My take: I agree with this assessment. But I would also look for another tight end if I'm the Redskins. After two years it's clear they can't trust him. If he's healthy, he's a part of the game plan because of his unique skills, but they can't rely on him.
Trent Murphy, OLB (24): There is a good chance Murphy will start at outside linebacker opposite Ryan Kerrigan in 2015. Murphy is a solid prospect who had a quality rookie season, but he isn't a game-changer off the edge.
My take: Agree here. And I'd still look for another pass-rushing outside linebacker. Murphy had to adapt to rushing in the NFL -- it's not easy; you have to sharpen your routes because there's less time to get to the quarterback, so perhaps this season he'll show more. He has a good variety of moves, but needs to work them at an NFL level; not easy. I never saw him speed past anyone on the edge, but he can be useful as a move guy, perhaps best used as a third outside linebacker in nickel sets. But he's strong against the run and a good player to have on the roster.
Robert Griffin III, QB (24): The jury is still out on Griffin. His potential and natural ability are off the charts, but durability is a massive red flag with him, and he's really struggled the past two seasons even when he was healthy (or close to it). And of course, the Redskins would have many other 25-and-under prospects if it weren't for their big trade up in the draft to select Griffin No. 2 overall in 2012.
My take: On target. This is another pivotal offseason for Griffin. Yes, the coaches can tweak some aspects of the game plan and yes they need to help him more. But at some point he also must produce more than he has the past two seasons. I'm not closing the book on him, but he needs to start writing better chapters.
Bashaud Breeland, CB (22): Breeland isn't that fast for a corner, but he has good size and plays the run well. His rookie-season performance was up and down.
My take: Breeland played faster than he might have timed before the draft. Love his competitive drive and how he picks up habits from film study. He showed in a pinch that he could play inside.
David Amerson, CB (23): He has good size, length, movement skills and speed, but sharp-breaking routes and quicker-than-fast receivers give him a difficult time, and he struggles to find the ball in the air. A move to free safety could be in his future.
My take: Not a fan of him at free safety because of his lack of discipline with his eyes -- do you really want him as your last line of defense? He also took chances and guessed wrong at corner. Do that at safety and the results are worse. On the flipside, he'd more often than not be reading the quarterback and not a receiver and, if he could handle the role, he'd have terrific range. He gets Amerson has played more physical than he did in college, but playing safety requires doing so at another level. But he's also still young. This is a key offseason for Amerson, too, as he must mature at corner.
Others on the list: Tom Compton, Josh LeRibeus, Niles Paul*, Spencer Long, Morgan Moses, Jackson Jeffcoat.
My take: Compton looks best as a backup and LeRibeus hasn't been able to crack the lineup despite a clear need inside. Long and Moses were rookies, so their standings could change over the next year. But it's hard to project them at this point based on what we've seen thus far.
