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Washington Redskins Could Still Cut DeSean Jackson

By Erik Lambert

Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins won 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins won 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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DeSean Jackson is looking less and less like an affordable investment for the Washington Redskins.  Could his time be up?

It’s always a difficult question to answer because weapons with his brand of speed are rare.  At the same time there are other ways to win in the NFL which the team discovered when he sat out several weeks with injury.  As another top draft pick arrives to the receiving corps, his position becomes more and more dicey.

So much in fact that USA Today believes there is still a strong possibility the team decides to cut him before the start of the 2016 season.

"“The Jordan Reed deal is done. Now it’s Kirk Cousins’ turn. The Redskins could clear up the space to lock up their quarterback by dropping one of their two veteran receivers, Jackson or Pierre Garcon. Drafting Josh Doctson gives the team the roster flexibility to cut one loose as soon as needed, with either move clearing up around $8 million, per Spotrac. Why Jackson instead of Garcon? The latter is a chain-mover who can be relied on game-to-game. Jackson is more of a boom-or-bust player whose biggest asset is his big-play ability.”"

Aside from that is the fact that Jackson turns 30 in December and has missed eight games with injury over the past two seasons.  The Redskins, like any other team won’t put their success in the hands of a player who can’t be relied on.  He finished with 528 yards and four touchdowns in 2015 but beyond that is the simple fact he’s not the ideal sort of target for Cousins.

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Jackson is a vertical threat at his best when he’s able to go down the field.  Cousins has never had the big arm to make such a weapon viable.  He’s much more the West Coast offense type of player.  He dips, dunks, plays the chess match and works his team down the field.  He got Washington to the playoffs last year largely with Jackson being a secondary target in the offense.

If that’s the case, then there is good reason to think the team is seriously considering moving on.

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