Redskins 2019 Season: Studs and Duds

The Redskins 2019 season was one to forget for most fans. 3-13 and the number two overall pick in the 2020 draft was not the way most saw this season playing out.

As is the case in any given year, there were both bright spots and some gloomy ones on the team.

Below is the list of my season Studs and Duds.

Studs:

Terry McLaurin - The rookie, who started 14 games, posted 58 catches for 919 yards and seven touchdowns. Despite changes at both coach and quarterback, he remained a consistent threat, showing his ability to beat coverage and make plays. He has a very bright future in this league, and his maturation should be fun to watch.

Steven Sims Jr. - Since taking over slot duties after Trey Quinn went on IR, Sims Jr., who played in all 16 games as a rookie, caught 34 passes for 310 yards and four touchdowns. He also added a 65 yard rushing touchdown. Steven averaged 25.6 yards and scored another touchdown on 32 kickoff returns. He’s a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands, and should be fun to watch for years.

Ereck Flowers - The former ninth overall draft pick of the New York Giants makes this list partly off of the negativity he received before every taking a regular season snap for the Redskins at left guard. He started all 16 games, giving up two sacks, and committing just four penalties all season. He was one of the most consistent performers among all linemen, and played an astounding 99.9 percent of the team’s offensive snaps.

Matt Ioannidis - The 2019 Pro Bowl alternate was a rock for the Redskins defense all season. He led the team in sacks with 8.5, and tied Montez Sweat for the team lead in tackles for a loss with 11.5.

Montez Sweat - Despite early criticism by impatient fans, and a defensive coordinator who continued to drop him into coverage, Sweat had himself a very nice season. He tied for the team lead in tackles for a loss with 11.5, and was second in sacks with eight(yes, he should have been given credit for another one against Dallas (had Bill Callahan challenged the play). He recorded 50 tackles, defended two passes and forced two fumbles. The future is bright for the rookie.

Landon Collins - Collins had a great season as a hybrid linebacker under an inept defensive coordinator and a back end that play with a ton of injuries and a lot less discipline that was required. Landon led the Redskins with 117 total tackles in 15 games played. His tackles for a loss(9.5) were second to only Matt Ioannidis and Montez. He also has one sack, forced two fumbles and had four passes defended, while playing 93.4 percent of the teams defensive snaps (a team high).

Quinton Dunbar - Dunbar played in just 11 games due to injury, but in those games, he was very good. He recorded 31 tackles, and led the team in passed defended (8) and interceptions (4).

Tress Way - The Redskins Pro Bowler and second team All-Pro averaged 49.6 yards per punt and had 30 punts fall inside the 20 yard line.

Dan Snyder - Dan was instrumental in getting us Dwayne Haskins, who was playing very well down the stretch before his final ankle injury. His biggest move, however, came at the conclusion of the season, when he swiftly fired long-time team president Bruce Allen and made a move to get us Ron Rivera as head coach.

Duds:

Trey Quinn - Quinn played in 12 games this season and was ineffective as both a slot receiver and punt returner. He recorded just 26 receptions for 189 yard and a touchdown and lost a fumble. He returned 16 punts for 78 yards and had a long of just 15 yards.

Jeremy Sprinkle - After both Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis were put in IR, Sprinkle was given every opportunity to make an impact as the starting tight end. He managed to catch just 26 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown and had several key drops. To make matters worse, he showed no progress as a blocker.

Morgan Moses - Moses has become a shell of his former self. He committed a team high nine penalties and allowed six sacks. His run blocking was average, but his pass protection has become a major liability.

Donald Penn - The former Pro Bowler, who stepped into a very difficult situation filling in for Trent Williams at left tackle, struggled throughout the season. He committed eight penalties and gave up five sacks. The pressures he allowed, furthermore, were not good for young quarterback Dwayne Haskins and his maturation.

Daron Payne - Dud may be a little too much here, but he certainly regressed in production from his rookie season and disappeared a lot in games; which is why he finds himself on this list. Despite the fifth highest defensive snap total played on the team, Payne recorded just 32 tackles, two sacks and three tackles for a loss. He did not post a forced fumble or fumble recovery. I know some will say he was frequently double teamed - but so was Ioannidis, whose production dwarfs Payne’s. I expected more from the 13th overall pick of the 2018 draft.

Josh Norman - Norman’s poor season took an unexpected turn when he was benched in favor of younger developmental players down the stretch. Before his benching, he was continually torched for long receptions and touchdowns. It’s hard to imagine any scenario in which he remains a Redskin next season.

Greg Manusky - The incompetence in which Manusky operated here during his three-year tenure as defensive coordinator was astounding. How he kept his job beyond just one season is anyone’s guess.