Washington Redskins 2013 Fantasy Team Preview
The Washington Redskins took everyone by surprise in 2012. Not only did they go from a dead in the water 3-6 team to a division winner and playoff contender, but they were also a haven for fantasy football superstars.
Well, at least the produced two. Rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III was a flat-out sensation in his first year, and has it not been for a knee injury, he arguably would have finished as fantasy’s #1 quarterback. He still came fairly close in the end, while fellow rookie Alfred Morris topped 1,600+ rushing yards to be one of the best running backs of 2012.
Elsewhere, wide receiver Pierre Garcon got off to an explosive start in week one, and probably would have been a top receiver to own, had it not been for a nagging foot injury.
Since the season ended, RG3 has been hard at work rehabbing an ACL he completely tore in the playoffs, but is fully expected to be ready for week 1. Morris is the game guy he was a year ago, while Garcon looks to be close to 100%, as well. With things looking up again for the Redskins, let’s take a look at the rest of the roster to see if anyone else can step up and be a force in fantasy football in 2013:
Robert Griffin III (QB)
RG3 was a machine as a rookie and not much else needs to be said. The only downer here is the knee injury and the idea that his playing style could open the door to new injuries, but his upside is too good to ignore. Plus, everyone else is so scared of him, that you can get him as your QB1 anywhere from rounds 5-7. There is the random owner that will take him in rounds 1-3, but you can’t be that guy.
Kirk Cousins (QB)
Cousins only has value if RG3 goes down for a long period of time. With that said, he’s a very competent passer and would probably thrive in Washington’s offense. He’d have high-end QB2 value if he was under center. Clearly he is undraftable, otherwise.
Alfred Morris (RB)
Morris was a machine as a rookie, toting the ball over 350 times. I’m not sure he’ll breakdown, but I’m also not sure he can take another 350 carries. A healthy Roy Helu should give him a break here or there and especially on third downs, which probably means less carries and less rushing yardage. In the end, he’s still going to get well over 1,200 rushing yards and about 10 touchdowns, making him a nice RB1 value at the end of round one or to kickoff round two.
Roy Helu (RB)
Helu was having a fantastic preseason last year before going down for the year with injury. He’s 100% and then some now, though, and is now Morris’s official handcuff and Washington’s top third down back. That will give him random Flex value at times, but he’s nothing more than a late-round flier.
Pierre Garcon (WR)
Garcon looked like he was going to be one of the better receivers in the league last year, and then a toe injury ruined his season. He looks completely healthy now, though, and the only thing working against him would be the possibility of another injury. For now, he has stable WR2 value and could aim at WR1 value if he stays on the field.
Santana Moss (WR)
Moss is looked at as a dying receiver, but he actually scored eight times last year. With no real threat around him, he could once again be a decent WR3, even as the third wide receiver in Washington. His age and spot in the offense make him shaky, but you shouldn’t be treating him like the plague, either.
Josh Morgan (WR)
Morgan probably hit his ceiling last year, and with Moss still fairly effective, I can’t see him topping 50 receptions ever again. He’ll probably get 40+, but he’s on the field for his run-blocking more than anything else. You can safely ignore him in drafts.
Leonard Hankerson (WR)
Hankerson continues to show his upside, but injuries and inconsistency have really held him back. He should have the #2 or #3 job locked down by now judging by his talent, but something hasn’t clicked yet. He still has some upside, but you can’t draft him yet.
Fred Davis (TE)
Davis went down last year with a freakish Achilles injury, but by all accounts looks to be 100% and ready for a bounce back season. He’s looked solid in preseason action and with the starting gig in a contract season, he’s shaping up as a bit of a sleeper. He’s probably better as a high-end TE2, but he still has the ability to put up TE1 numbers if the Redskins make a point of getting him involved more.
Jordan Reed (TE)
Reed probably isn’t in for a huge role as a rookie, but he’s at least worth mentioning due to his size and athleticism. Davis is surely the top tight end to own in D.C., but Reed could push to get on the field in two-tight end sets, and should Davis succumb to injury again, he’d definitely be worth monitoring.
Kai Forbath (K)
Forbath is an interesting fantasy kicker, as he missed just one kicker a year ago during his rookie campaign, and he operates out of a very efficient offense. However, we haven’t really seen him tested too much, and the sample size is fairly small. I’m slightly weary of him in just his second season.
Washington Redskins (DEF/ST)
Ageless wonder London Fletcher is back for yet another season, which is a good omen for a rising Redskins defense that gave teams fits down the stretch late last year. They’re not an elite unit and still struggle against the pass from time to time, but they have some nice young talent and will also be getting elite pass-rusher Brian Orakpo back this year. Still, they’re a middle of the road fantasy defense that you probably shouldn’t fully rely upon if you can help it.
