Josh Doctson’s emergence causing teams to adjust

ASHBURN, Virginia — As Josh Doctson has started to emerge as a reliable option for the Washington Redskins, opposing teams have taken notice.

Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins said Sunday that other teams are starting to account for Doctson in their game plans.

“I remember the Vikings had Xavier Rhodes travel with Josh, which surprised me, really, because they had played pretty much left and right on film and yet they wanted to make sure they had their best corner on Josh throughout the entire game no matter where he lined up,” Cousins said.

Last week, Cousins saw different coverage on Doctson as the New York Giants often rushed three and dropped eight players back in coverage.

But Doctson has found a groove since hauling in a game-changing pass in the final minute of Washington’s 17-14 win against the Seattle Seahawks on Nov.5. Over the past four games, he has 198 yards receiving, and though he still hasn’t had a dominant game, his ability to remain productive matters.

Even against the Giants, when he finished with just two catches for 28 yards, Doctson made a difference. The former 2016 first-round pick drew a 37-yard pass interference penalty which helped put the Redskins in the red zone. He also caught a touchdown, his fourth of the season.

“He is a good route runner,” said Redskins coach Jay Gruden. “You watch the tape and he is getting separation on not just the go-balls and making the big plays down the field, but he is open even though he is not getting the ball thrown to him. He is doing a nice job. He can run all the cuts that we need and we ask him to run.”

This year, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, Doctson has created an average of two yards on separation — which actually is tied for the second-fewest among receivers with at least 30 targets.

But Cousins’ average pass to Doctson travels in the air 15.2 yards per throw, which ranks as the ninth-highest in the NFL.

Doctson has shown the ability to be open when, at first glance, he might not appear to be.

Gruden said Doctson is becoming more than just a deep option, too.

“I think he will get more and more balls,” Gruden said. “If they want to start playing tighter coverage on Jamison [Crowder], maybe cheating a safety over there or a linebacker, we will get more one-on-one matchups with him outside. He will have a great opportunity to make some plays, not just down the field shots but other intermediate-type throws. He can make all those routes and catches.”