NFL
By: Ryan Cooley
The Washington Football Team’s season ended Saturday night after their 31-23 loss to the Buccaneers. Many analysts projected them only to win 3-4 games. Despite everything that transpired last offseason, Rivera implemented a winning culture in Washington. In his first year as head coach, they finished 7-9 and 1st place in the NFC East. They are heading in the right direction, but still with a lot of work to do.
Here are four positions Washington must address in the 2021 offseason.
Quarterback
Washington struggled with quarterbacks all season. Rivera benched Dwayne Haskins after four games, and Washington released him after week 16. Kyle Allen had his inconsistencies before breaking his ankle in week nine. Alex Smith’s miraculous comeback led them to the playoffs with a 5-1 record as the starter.
In Washington’s first playoff game since 2015, Taylor Heinicke started due to Smith’s calf injury. He ended with a 92 grade from Pro Football Focus. The next highest grade a Washington quarterback had that season came from Haskins’s week four 74.9.
Rivera has built a foundation in Washington, but its success will not bloom without a reliable quarterback.
Potential Solutions: Trey Lance, Matt Stafford, Matt Ryan
Wide Receiver
Terry McLaurin has been the only wide receiver Washington could rely on the past two seasons. In 2020, the highest-graded wide receiver not wearing #17 was Cam Sims, at a lackluster 62.5. Even if they find a quarterback in 2021, the offense would still need a second receiving threat.
The defense is close, if not already at a Super Bowl-caliber level. Finding a quarterback and another threat in the passing game would give Washington a potential top-ten offense. After watching them struggle for most of the season, Rivera knows he needs to be aggressive this offseason on that side of the ball.
Potential Solutions: Allen Robinson, Chris Godwin, Will Fuller, Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones
Linebacker
Washington’s defense finished 2nd in total yards allowed and 4th in points allowed. The defense carried this team throughout the season. However, there were still some holes, the most prominent at linebacker.
Cole Holcomb was the highest-graded linebacker for the first 13 weeks. From week 14 and on, he only managed a grade higher than 52 in one game. He struggled immensely in the wildcard game with a 29.9 rating. With Kevin Pierre-Louis set to hit free agency, this defense desperately needs a formidable linebacker in 2021.
Potential Solutions: Denzel Perryman, Neville Hewitt, Micah Parsons, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Kicker
Quarterback, wide receiver, and linebacker are the three most vital needs, but not too many mention kicker. Dustin Hopkins prepares for free agency, and it’s unlikely Rivera brings him back. Hopkins only made 27 of 34 field goals (79.4%). He ranked 22nd out of 27 kickers in PFF’s field goal grades who attempted 20+ field goals.
Hopkins missed several kicks that may have changed the outcome of 2-3 games. His field goal percentage has dropped each of the past two seasons. 89.7% in 2018 to 83.3% in 2019, and 79.4% this season.
Potential Solutions: Ryan Succop (90.3 FG %), Cario Santos (93.8 FG %), Cody Parkey (86.4 FG %)
