Washington Redskins Top Draft Picks Fit The New Mold

LANDOVER, MD - The Washington Redskins’ top three draft picks: WR Josh Doctson, LB Su’a Cravens and CB Kendall Fuller each have different personalities, yet all share a similar trait — they’re football players.

The phrase often used by General Manager Scot McCloughan has become popular not only among fans, but the coaching staff and players. In all honesty, it’s a phrase that’s hard to define. Is it a big, strong prototypical player? Or maybe it’s a fast, athletic freak? Is it a “choir boy?” These are all questions I’ve seen regarding what exactly it means to be a football player.

After two drafts with McCloughan at helm, what it means to be a football player has become extremely evident. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a guy who eats, sleeps and breathes football. It’s exactly what Washington’s top three draft picks displayed at their introductory presser Saturday at FedEx Field.

“I was just beating myself up because I just found out I’m not allowed to practice until the 13^th, I guess,” said LB Su’a Cravens. “So, that’s kind of bothering me a little bit; so they’re going to have to find a way to keep me out of the facilities ‘cause I’m going to find my way in there.”

That’s what it means to be a football player. It’s something you can’t really define, but you know it when you see it. The Washington Redskins are building a team full of football players. Guys who love the game and love each other.

“I’m very excited about these guys, really,” said Head Coach Jay Gruden post-draft. “I think the theme is we got some football players, man, some versatile guys that can do a lot of different things, and tough guys that love the game of football. We’re excited about it. They all bring great attitude to this organization. They’re going to play hard and they’re good people.”

Washington’s first round pick Josh Doctson said that DeSean Jackson reached out to him Friday and welcomed him to Washington. On Saturday, Doctson had an opportunity to meet his other new teammate Pierre Garcon, who warmly embraced him with a big hug. “They’re two dynamic players, two vets, two players that I’ll be able to learn a lot from,” he said of his new teammates.

Doctson plays the game “above the rim.” He makes 50/50 balls more like 80/20, in his favor. But his personality comes across as being more of a low-key guy. He’ll remind fans of a Santana Moss type of personality. He won’t say much, but he’s a quiet storm. He’ll allow his play to do the talking. However, the former TCU walk-on definitely comes across as a guy who has a chip on his shoulder.

“You know, I’m so motivated,” said Doctson. “I worked hard to get here. I’m appreciative of the coaches, the owner, the GM. They saw a lot in me, saw a lot of potential.”

He continued, “I’m just going to keep my head down and keep working.” Josh Doctson is all about football and already has the demeanor of a seasoned professional.

Su’a Cravens, on the other hand, is no doubt a product of California. Much like DeSean Jackson, who is also from Los Angles, Cravens has a personality that will take over a room. But make no mistake, the guy loves football.

The former USC safety/linebacker said he was disappointed that no team selected him in round one. “I looked at it as I wasn’t good enough to go in the first day, so let me get into the gym tonight and let me prove that I’m good enough to go in the second day to myself,” said Cravens. “I’m all about work. If I feel like I’m not working hard enough, I’ll get back to it.”

Cravens may have the toughest job of all Washington’s draft picks, as he will prepare to make a full transition to linebacker. His versatility and play-making ability will be an asset to the team.

Washington is getting a hard worker in Su’a Cravens, who even at the young age of 20 already understands what it takes to be a professional. Cravens attributes his maturity to his father. “Without my dad, I wouldn’t be half the man I am today,” he said. “I wouldn’t be here today. He didn’t force me to play the game, but he pushed me to be great and I think he saw something in me early and really gave me every chance and opportunity to chase that dream. I love my dad and I don’t know where I’d be without him.”

Cravens continued, “every team at the combine asked me, ‘Who’s coming with you?’ And I told them I’m coming by myself, and that wasn’t my choice; my dad told me himself, ‘You need to go by yourself and you need to focus. You’re a man now. I did all I needed to do and it’s time for you to handle your responsibilities.’ So that’s just another lesson I take as my dad showing me the way to do things.”

When it comes to working hard and knowing how to be a professional, no one probably knows how to do that better than Virginia Tech product Kendall Fuller. After growing up in a household with three brothers in the NFL, Fuller has learned first-hand how to conduct himself on and off-the-field.

“Just being able to watch them, they definitely said something when they needed to, shared some knowledge and influence when they needed to,” said Fuller. “They knew I was watching, so they knew that they had to carry themselves right because they didn’t want me to follow their footsteps if they were doing the wrong thing. But it was definitely, I guess, fun growing up in that household.”

Kendall Fuller had the opportunity to play against some great receivers in college including his new teammate Jamison Crowder. Fuller never backed down from a challenge. That’s his personality — he’s a competitor.

Probably the best quote of the presser came from Fuller when all three rookies were asked which players they’re looking forward to lining up against in practice. Before Cravens or Doctson could say a word, Fuller boldly shouted, “everybody.” That’s what kind of competitor he is and it sets the tone. Not to mention, it’s contagious. Even Doctson got fired-up, “Yeah, he said it best. Everybody!”

These top three draft picks walked through the door already exuding what it now means to be a Washington Redskin. Scot McCloughan is building something special in Washington and this is just the foundation.

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