It doesn't matter that the Washington Redskins picked up Robert Griffin III's fifth-year option. It doesn't matter that if he is on the roster for the 2016 season he'll be earning $16.15 million. This is his make or break year.
For the first time since drafting RGIII in 2012, the Redskins made a concentrated effort to improve in other areas around Griffin. New general manager Scot McCloughan restocked the defense with quality players such as Terrance Knighton and Chris Culliver. He invested the fifth overall pick in the draft into right tackle Brandon Scherff. Although the secondary and interior of the offensive line still have question marks, this is a better team (on paper) than last year. But will it be enough for RGIII to succeed?
Reports coming out of OTAs have been mixed. At times, Griffin has made impressive plays. But he's also held on to the ball too long and struggled with his mechanics. You know, the same issues he has reportedly been working on for four years now. Should he struggle yet again this season, Washington won't hesitate to move on in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Projecting records and draft slots this early rarely ends up as an accurate exercise. But CBS Sports has the Redskins selecting California QB Jared Goff with the fifth overall pick next year.
"The first quarterback off the board, Goff is an athletic, strong-armed passer who likely will be compared to another Cal QB, Aaron Rodgers."
Goff will need to put on some weight (CBS Sports lists him at 198 pounds despite his 6-foot-4 frame), but he has speed (4.76 40-yard dash) and the production to back up the hype.
ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. believes Goff has the ability to be the top QB prospect in the 2016 draft class (should he declare).
"Don't scoff at the system Cal employs and assume anybody will put up the 3,973 yards and 35 TD passes (against just 7 INTs) that Goff did in 2014," Kiper wrote. "He has a big-time arm and shows the ability to read defenses and move defenders with his eyes. After another year of development, Goff could be the top contender to be the first 2016 QB off the board."
