Washington Redskins: Is it time to get excited about Dwayne Haskins?

Dwayne Haskins produced an extremely polished performance in the Washington Redskins’ second preseason game, providing plenty of reason for excitement.

After his inauspicious debut, Dwayne Haskins’ second preseason act for the Washington Redskins produced cause for great excitement.

Picked off twice in a substantial loss to the Cleveland Browns a week ago, Haskins bounced back in some style as he completed seven of his 14 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals.

There were a few overthrows from Haskins, but two of his incompletions also came as a result of drops and, on his spectacular 55-yard touchdown to Robert Davis, he provided evidence of why he was considered by many to be the best quarterback in the 2019 draft class.

Under pressure on third down, Haskins hung in the pocket and, despite being hit as he threw, unleashed a bomb over the head of the defender that required minimal adjustment from Davis to corral and take into the endzone.

Poise under pressure was what defined Haskins’ night. He rarely looked rattled and made smart decisions to protect the football.

The likelihood is Case Keenum will begin the season as the Redskins’ starting quarterback. However, Haskins’ strong showing on Friday provided the clearest indication yet that the Redskins would be better off giving the keys to the 15th overall pick sooner rather than later.

Keenum is a known commodity but, outside of one incredible season with the Minnesota Vikings, has not proven himself to be a valuable one. He is not a quarterback capable of providing the spark this franchise desperately needs. Haskins, though he will make regular mistakes as a rookie, can do so.

The Redskins are not set up to win in 2019 and the best way for Washington to get some value out of this season is by making it about the development of Haskins.

Head coach Jay Gruden may feel it necessary to hold him out of a tough opening stretch. The Redskins face the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and New England Patriots in the first five weeks of the season. However, he should not wait too long to start a rookie whom a disillusioned fanbase can afford to get excited about.