Adding youth, size and strength to the Redskins' offense, Josh Doctson's biggest role early could be as a passing target in the red zone.
At 6-foot-2, 202 pounds, even before taking an NFL snap, Josh Doctson has the "physical traits" checkmark on his side from the get-go.
Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a 41-inch vertical jump – tops among wide receivers at the 2016 NFL Combine – and be able to run the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds, too.
While Doctson will have to fight for reps early in his professional career with established veterans like Pierre Garçon and DeSean Jackson in the fold, he could play a huge role in the Washington Redskins' red zone offense.
"He's got the mad leaping skills, which are very appealing, especially in a red zone obviously," Redskins head coach Jay Grudens said Thursday night. "He's another guy that is going to bring great athleticism to this offense. We're excited to have him."
Doctson came from humble beginnings, barely recruited coming out of high school before settling on Wyoming for his freshman year.
The Mansfield, Texas, native would then transfer to TCU where he would thrive against the best college competition, setting school records in receiving yards (2,785) and receiving touchdowns (29) and ranks second in TCU history with 180 career receptions.
His senior season turned heads, as Doctson posted 79 receptions for 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns while averaging more than 120 receiving yards per contest.
With the 22nd pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins selected wide receiver Josh Doctson of TCU. Take a look at his collegiate career in photos.
In a 55-52 shootout victory over Texas Tech on Sept. 27, 2015, Doctson totaled 18 receptions for 267 yards and three touchdowns while earning Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Doctson, however, would miss the final three games of his college career with a wrist injury, although the wide receiver says it is no longer an issue.
"I was full strength, man, by the end of the combine," Doctson said. "There's nothing wrong with my wrist, nothing wrong with my body. Everything is working 100 percent, and like I said, I'm ready to get back on the field."
While he excelled in TCU's pass-happy offense, Doctson will need to make some adjustments in the NFL, most notably expanding his route tree.
"We were limited on some things," Doctson said. "On pro day, some teams pulled me aside and told me to run some different routes that they wanted to see that they haven't seen me run before. That's just one of the small things, one of the little hiccups that will easily be able to be developed come day one."
The selection of Doctson reminds Gruden of another first-round pick that he worked with while in Cincinnati: five-time Pro Bowler A.J. Green.
In his rookie season, Green grabbed 65 passes for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games.
"He's six-foot-two, AJ was six-foot-four, but he's got that same type of body control and the ability to high point it which is big time," Gruden said.
.
.
.
