Redskins rank 27th in ESPN’s Future Power Rankings
On Wednesday, ESPN released an article ranking all 32 NFL teams based on a team of experts projections over the next three years. The panel was asked to rate each team’s future based on their roster (minus quarterback), quarterback, draft, front office and coaching using this scale:
- 100: A+ (Elite)
- 90: A (Great)
- 80: B (Very good)
- 70: C (Average)
- 60: D (Very bad)
- 50 and below: F (Disastrous)
The Redskins ranked 27th in this poll with an average score of 71.3 including the following sub-rankings:
- Roster, non-QB – 24th
- Quarterback – 19th
- Coaching – 30
- Draft – 31
- Front Office – 31
Roster, non-quarterback – This area may be rated a bit lower than it should be given the young talent on the defensive side of the ball. Their rating most likely has to do with the lack of proven play-makers on the offense. There is potential, however, that potential has yet to be realized. With a strong offensive season and breakout performances by young players, we could see the Redskins’ roster place in the top half of the league next year.
Quarterback– This is another area that just presents a huge question mark. Which Case Keenum are the Redskins getting this year? Is Dwayne Haskins the future of the franchise or another failed quarterback draft pick. Louis Riddick, who is very familiar with the Redskins, stated in the article, ” While I love the future potential of Haskins and believe he is a Pro Bowl-caliber QB talent, I have little to no faith that Washington management will do the right thing and get him the weapons he needs at receiver, or the guidance/tutelage he deserves so he can realize his vast potential in the meeting room, on the field and off the field.” How many hands will he have in his development? Jay Gruden, Bruce Allen, and Dan Snyder may all have say over his use and playing time and that, as we know all to well, is not a good thing. It is a bit surprising to see the rating this high considering all of the question marks.
Coaching – The Redskins have a lame duck head coach who’s job is likely on the line this season. The team was actively searching to replace defensive coordinator Greg Manusky this off-season, before deciding to keep him on. That is not exactly a ringing endorsement. The coaching staff had verbal spats with players, in season, and seems to be out of the loop on key decisions, at times. One bright spot is new offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell. O’Connell is considered a potential future coaching star in the NFL. We have seen that before. Will O’Connell be permitted to call plays or truly run the offense or was his promotion a way to slow his inevitable rise through the NFL coaching ranks. That remains to be seen, but give everything stated here, it is hard to argue the 30th overall ranking for the coaching staff.
Draft – The 31st ranking here may be the most surprising. The teams drafts over the last several years have been effective with the 2019 draft being universally praised. The thought here seems to be that the panel has little to no faith that the front office can continue to put together solid drafts while continuing to be fairly dysfunctional. There were even reports this year that Haskins was a Dan Snyder pick and the coaching staff was against taking him with the 15th pick.
Front Office – Somehow, the Arizona Cardinal’s front office was given a worse rating that the Redskins. I could fill two blogs with the failings of the front office over the past decade, but that seems unnecessary and the fact is that once this article is published, they will probably do something foolish and it will quickly need updating. The Redskins front office defines dysfunction and the 31st ranking is probably generous.
Overall, it isn’t difficult to see why the team is ranked 27th in ESPN’s future rankings. One needs only to look at the last 20 years to get justification. There is plenty of potential to improve on these rankings and a season that is light on injuries and heavy on players living up to potential could easily change the narrative.
