Redskins Position Battles (Part 1)

by campbell4prez on Jul 23, 2009 9:50 PM EDT

This position battle may be very crucial to the performance of the Redskin's offense this season: Wide Receiver. Specifically the #2 spot.

Last year the Redskins drafted two receivers in the 2nd Round of the NFL Draft, Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas. Both were rated highly in the Sporting News Draft '08 Magazine and were expected to be rookie stars. But frustrating, nagging, injuries prevented the two from emerging. Kelly and Thomas combined for only 18 receptions for 138 yards.

Two more receivers were acquired by the Redskins this offseason, Roydell Williams and Marques Hagans. Williams was selected in the 4th round by the Tennessee Titans and Hagans in the 5th by the St. Louis Rams. Williams had his best season in 2007, in which he caught 55 balls for 719 yards and four touchdowns.

Then there is Antwaan Randle El. In the second half of the season he was barely a factor, picking up only 184 yards versus 409 the first half. His natural position still seems to be the slot receiver so he will probably be bumped to that position.

My question is, who should start at #2 receiver this season? I like Kelly at this position because of his hands and size; he can pluck passes out of the air and is large enough to run routes to the middle of the field. But can he get past injuries? Who do you think should be Campbell's second target?

Poll

Who is the Redskin's #2 receiver for 2009?

Devin Thomas

61 votes

Malcolm Kelly

26 votes

Roydell Williams

9 votes

Antwaan Randle El

15 votes

111 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 9 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

We also got Marko Mitchell and Keith Eloi

Idk if they’re still on the team though. I chose Devin Thomas,I think he’s the overall better receiver then Kelly. El definetly needs to be moved to the slot,thats where he succeeded with the Steelers. I like Kelly’s size too,I think he could be like Larry Fitzgerald in the way he jumps up and plucks the ball from the air,but he does have big injury problems. If his knee holds up,he could be a great red zone target. I really want to see what Williams can do in the pre season.

"I'd run over my own mother to win a Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby

by FletchIsUnstoppable on Jul 23, 2009 10:03 PM EDT reply actions

Yea I think Malcolm Kelly needs a few more years but at some times he resembles Larry Fitzgerald. Devin Thomas could probably contribute more this season but may end up as a situational receiver like Brian Finneran or Brandon Stokley, catching mostly first down passes.

by campbell4prez on Jul 23, 2009 10:14 PM EDT reply actions

A situational receiver would be an improvement over last year,but we desperately need at least one of them to step up and take the #2 position. I love El but he just isn’t going to command the attention/take pressure off Moss like Devin Thomas or a healthy Malcolm Kelly would.

"I'd run over my own mother to win a Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby

by FletchIsUnstoppable on Jul 23, 2009 10:22 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, exactly.

Though I want Kelly, if Roydell Williams shows he can put up numbers like he did in ’07 then he should be the top candidate for #2.

by campbell4prez on Jul 23, 2009 10:40 PM EDT reply actions

Williams probably has the most potential.

We may have a gem on our hands. http://www.nfl.com/players/roydellwilliams/profile?id=WIL514334 looks a lot better then http://www.nfl.com/players/malcolmkelly/profile?id=KEL691432

"I'd run over my own mother to win a Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby

by FletchIsUnstoppable on Jul 23, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Thomas and Kelly are the future

We traded back to get them in 2008, and their depth in the rotation is all pending on how healthy they will be. So far, Thomas’ name has stood out the most in the off-season (before the hammy pull). IMO, the most ideal scenario would be to eventually have Thomas and Kelly on the ends, and Moss and ARE playing mostly out of the slot. But more realistically, I see our depth chart (barring injuries) going into the season looking more like this:

1) Moss
2) Thomas
3a) ARE
3b) Kelly
5) Roydell or Marko

Roydell Williams looks to me like a fake Donte Stallworth. If he’s our # 2 next year, we are in serious trouble. Yes, he’s proven more than Thomas and Kelly. But, what he’s proven (2 years ago) wasn’t really all that impressive. Personally, I would rather see Marko make it over Roydell. Marko’s a lot bigger (6’4", 218 lbs.), and has an unknown upside. We already know what Roydell will give us. Regardless, the WR that wins that 5th slot will be the one that proves to be a better special teams player. If Roydell and Marko both display great special teams abilities, we could carry a 6th WR. But that seems unlikely.

RAK EM UP!

by VA_Skin on Jul 24, 2009 2:15 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed

Though I think DT is going to have a great year, I still voted for Malcolm based on his size and hands. If he can get on the field, I don’t see how JC wouldn’t be salivating at the thought. I’d also take Marko over Roydell.

I'm to young to Die Danny...don't make me do it tomorrow....

by Rekka on Jul 24, 2009 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Kelly has more talent than Thomas

plus he worked harder last year at learning the playbook. But he’s got a very tough problem to fix: injuries. If he can’t get himself healthy, we’ll never get anything out of him. Remember, though, that Keenan McCardell was a Redskin for his first season, but was injured the entire year. He looked like he would be an injury problem his entire career and got cut, then went on to emerge with the Browns and had a great career with the Jags, Bucs, and Chargers.

ESPN: "Don't take it so hard, Lebron. Everybody gets dunked on."
Me: "I never have, punk."

by kseandoyle on Jul 24, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions