The Washington Football Team has a 'real chance' to contend for a Super Bowl in 2021, according to Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus.
Coming off what was largely considered a successful draft, Washington plugged holes all over the field, bolstering its secondary, linebacking corps, offensive line and receiver group, strengthening its overall defensive strength while giving quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick more weapons to throw to and some extra pocket security.
This is Monson's focus, noting that while Fitzpatrick has never been to the playoffs in his 16-year NFL career, Washington "may be the best situation" he's ever been in. Typically a team's potential for success starts with its starting quarterback, Monson points out, before observing that Washington is "going about it a different way."
"They are attempting to create a supporting cast so good that an average quarterback can crash the party," Monson writes.
This tracks with Washington head coach Ron Rivera's stated strategy for building out his roster. Rivera revealed this week that while they had a "big conversation" about trading up in the draft for a quarterback, they ultimately decided it wasn't worth the draft capital they'd be giving up which they could use instead to "fill several other needs."
"The biggest thing that we have to look at more so than anything else, really, is when is the best opportunity?" Rivera said this week about committing to a young QB.
"Is it when the team is complete and we have what we feel are all the other pieces? Or is it while we're still putting it together. We chose to make sure, see if we can do it by putting all of our pieces together. Then we'll start thinking about making the commitment as we go forward."
Monson goes on to argue that if Washington could go 5-1 with Alex Smith last season, then Fitzpatrick — who is "significantly better," he says — is a "major upgrade," giving the Football Team "even more margin for error" in 2021, especially with that improved supporting cast.
On the defensive side of the ball, PFF considers cornerback William Jackson III an upgrade over Ronald Darby, who departed in free agency after a strong bounceback season in 2020.
It's worth noting that in the week prior to the draft, PFF had Washington's roster ranked eighth in the league just behind the Ravens (7th), and ahead of the Cowboys (9th), Giants (17th) and Eagles (26th). If those rankings are any indicator, the NFC East figures to be a two-horse race between Dallas and Washington.
Overall, Monson presents a compelling case which is highly worth a read.
