What Does Dezmon Briscoe Bring to the Redskins?

Over the weekend the Redskins quietly acquired wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe off of waivers from the Buccaneers. Briscoe, who will turn 23 later this month, has spent the first two years of his NFL career in Tampa Bay after being cut by the Bengals, who drafted him in 6th round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Briscoe, a Dallas native, was also in the cross-hairs of the Cowboys this weekend, as they also put in a waiver claim for the youngster. He played his college ball at Kansas, where he was a star. He was an All-American for the Jayhawks and his last two year he combined for nearly 2,750 yards and 24 touchdowns. He was also a successful kick returner for KU.

But what has Briscoe looked like since he joined the NFL? His rookie year he did not see the field much registering just six catches. Last year Briscoe got more of an opportunity and made the most of it catching 35 passes for 387 yards and six touchdowns. Clearly he thought he had a strong grasp on a roster spot after the year he had:

"It’s tough, especially coming off the season I did have, I felt like I had pretty good security. But things happen. I’ve got to make the best out of it." via Washington Post

So why should Skins fans be excited about Briscoe?

For one five of seven of Briscoe's career touchdowns have come in the red zone and three have come within three yards. The Redskins have been absent a wide receiver that can act as a solid red zone threat seemingly forever, perhaps Briscoe can fill that void. At 6'2 Briscoe becomes the Redskins' tallest receiver (tied with Leonard Hankerson), this attribute could serve as a powerful weapon for rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III.

I believe Briscoe can compete successfully for the fourth wide receiver spot and can also be someone to fill the void in the return game. Although he's only returned one kick in the NFL, his versatility puts him square in the battle with Brandon Banks, Terrence Austin, Aldrick Robinson, and others. Obviously defensive backs coach thought highly of Briscoe in his time at Tampa Bay to first sign him off the Bengals practice squad and to now bring him into Washington.

Briscoe did missed some OTAs in Tampa and failed a conditioning test. Hopefully Greg Schiano's cut has acted as a wake up call for the youngster.