Niner Noise
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NFL 2017 preview: Looking at strengths, weaknesses and X-factors for all 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Dec 19, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) leaves the locker room prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) leaves the locker room prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Washington Redskins

2016 Record: 8-7-1, Third Place in the NFC East

Niner Noise wraps up this offseason NFL preview by looking at a team that will likely finish in the cellar of the NFC East this year — the Washington Redskins.

Washington lost its two best receivers to free agency — DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon — so that hinders quarterback Kirk Cousins’ abilities to effectively move the ball through the air. Not having former offensive coordinator Sean McVay in town also hurts matters.

The Redskins didn’t do much to alleviate these losses, but they did manage to reinforce their defense throughout the draft.

Even without a general manager in place.

Pickups of former Alabama defenders Jonathan Allen and Ryan Anderson should help matters here. So should the Round 3 selection of former UCLA cornerback Fabian Moreau.

Still, the Redskins are destined for a decline.

Strengths

The defense should be notably better than it was last year, and that’s a good thing when Washington has to face off against the Giants and Cowboys twice a year.

Cousins remains the Redskins’ best offensive player, but it will be interesting to see how he handles the lack of true receiving talent on the outside. At least rookie running back Samaje Perine makes things more interesting.

Weaknesses

While improved, the defense is still far from perfect. It would have been nice to see the Redskins grab a defender to lock down the interior of the defense, and it’s hard to say whether or not Allen can be that guy.

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Josh Norman is a good cornerback, for sure, but even he can’t cover the entire field. And Moreau will take some time to adjust.

But the biggest problem will be on offense. It’s likely going to be a long year, offensively, for head coach Jay Gruden and Co.

X-Factors

With Cousins on a franchise tag, there’s no way the Redskins will make the same move a third year in a row. So, basically, the veteran quarterback is playing in a contract year.

It’s not ideal to do this without prolific receivers at his disposal, so look for Cousins’ stats to take a bit of a decline. If they don’t, credit to him.

Next: NFL power rankings: A post-NFL Draft look at all 32 teams

2017 might be a year in which Washington’s defense is forced to carry the load. Is this group up for the challenge? If not, the Redskins will look back at this year wondering what went wrong.