Washington Redskins rookie first-round pick Dwayne Haskins has flashed big time during the team’s off-season program.
Selected No. 15 overall back in April, the former Ohio State quarterback was seen as an absolute steal. It also just so happens that he landed on a Redskins team dealing with a plethora of question marks at quarterback.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Redskins head coach Jay Gruden noted that he believes Haskins has earned an opportunity to vie for the starting job as a rookie.
“Oh, for sure,” Gruden said when asked about the potential of Haskins battling for a starting job, via ESPN’s John Keim. “I’d be silly not to. He’s put enough out there on tape to say he deserves a shot, without a doubt.
Washington added veteran Case Keenum in a trade with the Denver Broncos prior to landing Haskins in the draft.
Meanwhile, high-priced veteran Alex Smith is highly unlikely to play next season after suffering a serious leg injury this past year. He’s joined by fellow veteran Colt McCoy as banged-up commodities in the Redskins’ quarterback room.
The question Washington will be asking itself during training camp is whether the team believes it can contend for a playoff spot. If so, Keenum might be the guy to start initially.
If not, Haskins could be thrown out there behind what promises to be a solid offensive line. It would give the Skins an ability to see what they have from the potential franchise quarterback right out of the gate.