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Washington head coach Ron Rivera announced some obvious news on Wednesday as the team wraps up training camp. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins will be the starter in Week 1 when the team hosts the Philadelphia Eagles at FedEx Field.
Haskins was competing with Kyle Allen and recently activated Alex Smith for the starting job. Having a new head coach in Rivera meant he likely had every position an active competition. However, given Allen’s performance last year, Smith’s timeline for returning from a devastating leg injury, and Haskins’ own positives from last year, it would have been a sizable upset if Haskins had not won the job.
Haskins showed some signs last season, but is not yet a strong fantasy option. He’ll be draftable in two QB leagues and larger dynasty leagues, but you can pass on him in most single QB re-draft leagues and more modest keeper leagues. There’s some upside, but there’s more value elsewhere.
The Washington skill position players won’t see an ADP change with this expected announcement. Running backs Adrian Peterson and Antonio Gibson will compete for early down work, while Bryce Love, Peyton Barber, and JD McKissic will be competing for additional work. Gibson has the most upside of the group and is a strong candidate to claim the starting job before the season is over.
Terry McLaurin was the team’s leading receiver last year and will look to build on his 58 receptions, 919 yards, and seven touchdowns. The team spent a fourth round pick on Antonio Gandy-Golden, but he’s a flyer at best for the time being outside of dynasty leagues. Dontrelle Inman could work his way into a decent number of snaps, but there’s nothing to get excite about with him in fantasy football.
Really, it’s hard to get too excited about most Washington skill position players for the time being. Neither tight end (Jeremy Sprinkle, Richard Rodgers) offers much value outside of the deepest of leagues. McLaurin and Gibson are worth rostering, but other than that, you’re best avoiding Washington’s offense for the foreseeable future.