flexxskins Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Hankerson among breakout candidates By Dan Graziano | ESPN.com http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/39269/hankerson-among-kiper-breakout-candidates The 2012 draft is so last month, and the 2013 draft is too far away to comprehend, so our draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. is thinking back to the 2011 draft and has come up with some players he thinks could break out in their second NFL seasons. It's an Insider piece, so only those of you with Insider access can read it. But that's OK, because I like you guys better anyway. Just please don't tell the others. I don't want anyone to get upset. Anyway, Mel has three players on his list from the NFC East, and they are... Leonard Hankerson, WR, Washington Redskins I thought Hankerson was just about to really get it going last year when a hip injury derailed his season. While the Redskins went out and made several moves at wide receiver, I think Hankerson could put up big numbers as a down-the-field threat in Mike Shanahan's offense. He's a bigger target, something this offense lacks otherwise, outside of tight end Fred Davis. My take: Shanahan thinks the same thing, and if Hankerson's healthy, then Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan aren't going to keep him from being a factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitman21ST Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Thanks for posting this, I saw it but don't have insider. I really think Hank will emerge as the #1 receiver by mid-season, if not sooner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabsuz Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I would start waiting until he can actually see the field before calling this guy the answer at receiver, although I am optimistic about him and I was ecstatic when we picked him. He certainly has the potential to break out but this injury was particularly nasty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJD2 Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I was thinking Gracon was the down the field threat and Hankerson a moving the chains kind a guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphs56 Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 People laugh at me when I mention Hankerson as one of the Redskins big time threats...They basically say "Who?" I think that's gonna all change this season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinC Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Right now I just want to see him fully healthy in time for training camp and then get though preseason at full pace. If he is healthy I think he can put up really good numbers in our offense but he has to be healthy first and that hip injury is not a straightforward one to get back to 100% from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.A.C.O.L.B. Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Can't ****ing wait How long have we been talking about having a BIG receiver in this town? ****, seems like almost as long as we've been talking about getting a real QB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skins2victory Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 If he can get to 100 percent, and stay healthy, Hank will be a name football fans across the country will know...... HANK TIME!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llevron Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 The only thing that worries me about Hank is his health. That is it. I think he has more than enough ability and drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaylorPickSix Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Planning on taking him late in my fantasy draft this year, similar to what I did with Roy Helu. That worked out pretty well for me down the stretch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taiwan32 Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Played in the Mickey Steele Classic this weekend with Hank... He said he's healing great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truant Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 He definitely can step up, but a lot of things need to go right. Griffin needs to play reasonably well. The line needs to hold up. Backs need to be successful with their carries. WRs are dependent on a lot of little things to enjoy success. I'm keeping my expectations tempered. This is still a mid-round WR entering his second year after an injury shortened his season. Just wait till he drops a pass in preseason or doesn't suit up for day one of training camp and the doubters and couch coaches will be up in arms. Give him time and don't expect too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWFLSkins Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Played in the Mickey Steele Classic this weekend with Hank... He said he's healing great. Cool thanks for sharing, I can't wait to see Hank gel with RGIII. I think Hank is dynamic and just needs to get the work in and stay healthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrFan Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 I wish him to come back at full speed, and stay healthy. He does have the tools and he will surely benefit from playing with RGIII at the helm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vicrodjr Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Great pic, thanks for sharing. Looking forward to RG3 and Hank bringing the best out in each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skins Wingman Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Can't ****ing waitHow long have we been talking about having a BIG receiver in this town? ****, seems like almost as long as we've been talking about getting a real QB i wouldnt call 6'2 209 big.. hes like gaffneys size Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chump Bailey Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Planning on taking him late in my fantasy draft this year, similar to what I did with Roy Helu. That worked out pretty well for me down the stretch. Me too; although, there will likely be many good late WR options in my league to choose from: Hankerson, Hill, Rueben Randle, Baldwin, Quick, Jeffrey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maskedsuperstar Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 i wouldnt call 6'2 209 big.. hes like gaffneys size This big WR talk is ridiculous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koolblue13 Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 He could break out and I hope he does. Between our top 4 WRs and 3 TEs, we could really spread the ball around. It'd be interesting to see all 7 of those guys have similar stats. That's be a new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistertim Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 i wouldnt call 6'2 209 big.. hes like gaffneys size Yeah, I think one of the main things about "big" receivers is that their size can help them get off of jams and press coverage but that doesn't mean a guy who is big is automatically going to get beat press coverage near the LOS or that a smaller guy won't be able to. A lot of it has to do with technique and understanding angles and leverage as well as hand work. Of course there is the added advantage for jump balls and being an easier red zone target for a bigger receiver. 6'2 and 210 or so (I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up closer to 220 this year) is plenty for both of those and, by all accounts (from Shanahan talking about him and seeing him do it in games), Hankerson is good at beating jams and getting open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjfootballer Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 I was thinking Gracon was the down the field threat and Hankerson a moving the chains kind a guy. That's what I was thinking. Seems like all our receivers are labelled "down the field threat." We need some Art Monk type guys and I think Hank can be that guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitman21ST Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 That's what I was thinking. Seems like all our receivers are labelled "down the field threat." We need some Art Monk type guys and I think Hank can be that guy. I figured Morgan for the chain-mover. Hank and Garcon are more in the big-play mold. IIRC, Morgan is more of a chain mover guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRAVEONAWARPATH Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 i wouldnt call 6'2 209 big.. hes like gaffneys size He's big in the sense that "he plays bigger than he is". Not to mention the fact that he has huge hands and reach. ---------- Post added May-22nd-2012 at 03:42 PM ---------- That's what I was thinking. Seems like all our receivers are labelled "down the field threat." We need some Art Monk type guys and I think Hank can be that guy. Imo, Hank is going to be able to do it all: Function as a possession receiver as well as a deep threat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjfootballer Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 I figured Morgan for the chain-mover. Hank and Garcon are more in the big-play mold. IIRC, Morgan is more of a chain mover guy. Could be. Watching Hank last year, he didn't look like a deep guy, but more of an intermediate/seam route kind of guy. I think Garcon/Moss will be the deep guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amm0409 Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Could be. Watching Hank last year, he didn't look like a deep guy, but more of an intermediate/seam route kind of guy. I think Garcon/Moss will be the deep guys. I kind of agree with Hitman, but I see your point as well. I still saw some big plays, deep balls to Hank for a TD. I think Hank is a mix between the two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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