After waiting until late in the 4th round, Liberty’s greatest wide receiver of all time, Antonio Gandy-Golden was selected by the Washington Redskins.
The Redskins have struggled in recent seasons, but their fanbase is rejuvenated under brand new head coach Ron Rivera. Rivera was most recently the head coach of the Carolina Panthers where he was twice named AP Coach of the Year.
Under Rivera, and dating back to last season, the Redskins have gone for a youth infusion, particularly on the offensive side of the ball and at the skill positions.
At quarterback, Washington selected Ohio State’s Dwyane Haskins with the 15th overall pick in the 2019 Draft. As the Skins were out of the playoff race midway through the 2019 season, they handed the reigns over to Haskins.
Other rookies on offense for the Redskins in 2019 included three wide receivers. Terry McLaurin, who was drafted in the 3rd round last year out of Ohio State, has emerged as the team’s top receiving threat. The speedy receiver led the team last year with 58 receptions for 919 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Steven Sims was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas a year ago, and he has entrenched himself as the team’s starter in the slot. As a rookie last season, Sims finished with 34 receptions for 310 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Another rookie in 2019, Kelvin Harmon was selected in the 6th round of last year’s Draft out of NC State. He had 30 receptions for 365 yards as a rookie.
AGG is most similar to Harmon out of the Redskins receivers, and the two could battle for the starting spot at X receiver in Rivera and offensive coordinator Scott Turner’s offense.
The Washington Redskins also drafted Memphis gadget player Antonio Gibson in Round 3 of the 2020 Draft. Gibson was selected as a receiver, but he could also see time in certain packages as a running back.
Gandy-Golden joins a receiver room that is crowded with young, talented prospects, but his size and strength offer a good compliment to the speed of McLaurin and Sims.
AGG could fit into a similar mold on Rivera’s team as his previous draft pick and former Carolina Panther Devin Funchess.
Funchess was selected in the 2nd round of the 2015 Draft by the Panthers out of Michigan. As a rookie under Rivera, he had 31 receptions for 473 yards and 5 touchdowns. Now with the Colts, in his 5 year career, Funchess has totaled over 2,000 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns.
Gandy-Golden will join a Redskins wide receiver group with more questions than answers. Terry McLaurin is entrenched as the top wideout, and Steve Sims seems to have a firm grip on the slot role. After that there will be open competition among Kelvin Harmon, Cody Latimer, Trey Quinn, Cam Sims and possibly others.
