Where does Bleacher Report rank Washington among most improved teams?
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
It was a big offseason for the Washington Football Team. Coming off an NFC East championship, Washington looked to get better in 2021 after winning just seven games last season.
Those improvements began at quarterback.
Washington signed Ryan Fitzpatrick early in free agency to a one-year deal to be the team’s starting quarterback in 2021. The Football Team also re-signed playoff hero Taylor Heinicke to a two-year extension.
There were also new additions at wide receiver. Washington brought in Curtis Samuel and Adam Humphries through free agency and Dyami Brown via the NFL draft.
Naturally, at least on paper, you’d think Washington is a lot better in 2021.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently ranked the seven most improved teams for 2021, and he was Washington at No. 4.
Notable Additions: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WR Curtis Samuel, WR Dyami Brown, CB William Jackson III, OT Charles Leno Jr., LB Jamin Davis
The Washington Football Team had just seven victories in 2020, but it did win the NFC East. An improved passing attack—Washington ranked 25th in passing yards last season—could be enough to make the Football Team a formidable playoff force.
And Washington should have a vastly improved passing offense. Ryan Fitzpatrick has never established himself as a franchise quarterback, but he’s a quality journeyman who helped the Miami Dolphins reach 10 wins a year ago.
As a collective, Washington’s quarterbacks averaged 6.3 yards per pass attempt in 2020. Fitzpatrick averaged 7.8 yards per attempt last season and has posted 6.9 yards per pass for his career. He has the proven arm talent needed for the Football Team to better push the ball down the field.
Fitzpatrick will be joined by wideout Curtis Samuel, who played for coach Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator Scott Turner with the Carolina Panthers. Washington further bolstered its receiving corps by drafting Dyami Brown in the third round.
Defensive additions Jamin Davis and William Jackson III will help a defense that was already elite in 2020. Washington ranked second in total defense and fourth in scoring defense. Jackson is a proven starter who allowed an opposing passer rating of only 88.2 last season. Davis is a first-round talent who is impressing in camp.
Washington’s defense could be the league’s best unit this year, and with a more potent offense, the Football Team could be poised to repeat as NFC East champs.
Knox is correct. The addition of Davis and Jackson on defense, paired with so many of Washington’s younger players being more experienced, means the Football Team could challenge for NFC supremacy. Another key on defense is the return of defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis.
But it’s all about the offense. If Washington can move to the middle of the pack in offense, it could be a real contender.
If the offense doesn’t improve, there’s still the NFC East.
