Position review: receivers

The rookie seventh-round pick still appears destined for a practice squad spot. It’s hard to imagine him being ready to play in a live game so soon and he won’t help on special teams.

But he is improving and has shown an ability to adjust well on balls downfield.

‘’He’s starting to get it,’’ Redskins coach Jim Zorn said.

Mitchell needs to become less one-dimensional. He still needs to learn how to run routes inside; too often smaller defensive backs can bump him off stride because he runs too upright.

Antwaan Randle El

5-foot-10, 185 pounds

Randle El typically has strong training camps simply because of the energy he brings to practice daily. Randle El has not missed a day of camp and yet always appears fresh.

And he could rightly be upset considering the Redskins want someone else to be their No. 2 receiver (even if he’s best suited as a third receiver). Randle El has especially stood out in the past week, with a leaping grab downfield Monday. He seems to do his best work matched in the slot against a safety. He beat Reed Doughty a couple times this afternoon.

D.J. Hackett

6-foot-2, 208 pounds

Hackett hasn’t made much of an impact in his short time with the Redskins. He’ll catch the occasional pass, but seldom runs past the defensive backs.

That’ll be a problem in his battle to become the fifth receiver. Another issue is his inability to play special teams. For a guy in his situation, that makes no sense and, though it’s not a prerequisite for the position, it certainly would help. If he were running past guys and making catches it might not be a big deal. But he hasn’t done that.