The Washington Redskins' offensive talent suggests they will be a pass-heavy offense, with receivers DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Jamison Crowder -- and first-round pick Josh Doctson if he is ever healthy -- and tight end Jordan Reed. That makes them an attractive fantasy football play with quarterback Kirk Cousins. As long as Cousins makes smart decisions, the passing game can flourish. The question then becomes, to what extent?
Kirk Cousins
ESPN Fantasy Projection: 4,550.8 yards, 29.7 TDs
Over or under: I’ll go just under on the passing yards and a shade over on the touchdowns. Cousins set the franchise record for passing yards last season with 4,166. To surpass the projected mark, he’d have to average 284 yards per game. In the last five years, an average of five quarterbacks have topped 4,550 yards each season. One reason Cousins could do it: the talent around him, plus his own knowledge of the offense and development. If Jackson, who is having an excellent camp, stays healthy for 16 games, the passing game can flourish. When both Jackson and Reed were healthy last season, Cousins averaged 269.9 passing yards. As the Redskins became more committed to the pass down the stretch, in one three-game stint Cousins averaged 328 yards per game (all wins). With an inconsistent run game, the Redskins will be more aggressive at times with the pass, especially on first-down play-action. If the run game is good -- and there are big questions here -- then they’ll be a little more balanced, especially if games are close or they’re ahead. But here’s another stat: The Redskins play eight games against teams who finished in the top 12 in fewest passing yards allowed last season.
