Positives the Redskins Can Build Upon for Next Season

This has been a rough season for the Redskins and have seen a number of players regress and under-perform, but this season isn’t without positives for the Redskins. Here are the 8 biggest positives the Redskins can build on for next year:

1. Alfred Morris is a stud:

-Morris is proving he’s a franchise running back, having nearly as good of a season this year, despite the line play struggling and there being less of a passing threat this year. Defenses have been keying in on Morris, but he’s still making them pay most weeks. Whomever their coach is next year, he will have one of the top rushers in the league with Morris to build his offense around.

2. Trent Williams has become a premier LT:

-The Redskins offensive line is a mess overall, but one spot is locked down. Luckily for the Redskins it is the most important spot, with LT Trent Williams having just a great all-around season. Williams started out slow his first two seasons, and though he had a really good year last year you had to wonder which was the real Trent Williams. He’s answered the call this year, and has had an even better season despite the fact that defenses have been attacking more trying to pressure Griffin and stop Morris.

3. Pierre Garcon looks like a Quality Receiver:

-There were some question marks if Garcon deserved the big money deal the Redskins gave him before last season, and after he had a good, but injury shortened first year in Washington the questions still remained. This year Garcon is on pace to break the Redskins receptions record and has proven himself to be a very good receiver. He might not be an elite talent, but he’s still extremely capable and someone to build around on offense.

4. Jordan Reed looks like a future star:

-Reed’s star is a bit dimmer than it was a month ago since he’s been out with a concussion, but he still looks to be a very capable weapon to build around going forward. He’s not much of a blocker yet, but he is a match-up nightmare for defenses and should only get better as he matures.

5. Brian Orakpo has proven that he’s a top pass rusher:

-There were questions among some Redskins fans if Orakpo was even worth extending after this season when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Orakpo started off the season a bit slowly and had one of his worst games ever in a Redskins uniform week one against the Eagles. Since then he’s really picked up his game and has been unstoppable for the last two months. Orakpo now clearly needs to re-sign and has to be a focal point of this Redskins offseason.

6. Barry Cofield remains a force in the middle:

-Last year Barry Cofield really started to make his presence felt in the Redskins defense, but the question became was it a fluke. He’s answered that question with another big year of play for the Redskins and is probably the team’s second best all-around defender. Cofield’s performance is even more impressive considering how little help he gets along the defensive line.

7. Ryan Kerrigan is a good complement to Orakpo:

-Ryan Kerrigan continues to be a strong presence on the left side of the Redskins defense. He continues to make a number of big plays each year and get a good number of sacks and pressures. He’s clearly not as strong as a pass rusher as Orakpo, but he is a force on the opposite side that does give the Redskins a nice bookend presence on defense. Both players are young and if the Redskins lock up Orakpo this year this should be a strong tandem going forward.

8. DeAngelo Hall is having his best season yet:

-Hall like Orakpo is an impending free agent, but unless someone offers him a crazy amount of money you have to like the odds of him returning. He’ll be over 30 next season and he’s a local guy who went to college at Virginia Tech, unless the money is outrageous he’s not likely to leave. Given his age and inconsistent play over the years it is doubtful he will ever get crazy money. There is obviously some concern about investing good money into Hall since he was such a bust with his last contract, but the Redskins need some stability in the secondary. It is likely that they will have 3 new starters surrounding Hall next year and probably some new back-ups as well, so a veteran with some success in this league could help. Hall has done a real nice job overall this season and if he can keep up this level of play the Skins will be very happy.