July 12, 2016
By Justin Nicely
By Justin Nicely
Quarterbacks (3):
Kirk Cousins
Colt McCoy
Nate Sudfeld
Kirk Cousins is the unquestioned starter. As is Colt McCoy as the backup to Cousins. They decide to keep rookie Nate Sudfeld on the roster just in case another team is interested in him after contemplating whether to put him on the practice squad or not.
Kirk Cousins
Colt McCoy
Nate Sudfeld
Kirk Cousins is the unquestioned starter. As is Colt McCoy as the backup to Cousins. They decide to keep rookie Nate Sudfeld on the roster just in case another team is interested in him after contemplating whether to put him on the practice squad or not.
Running Backs (3):
Matt Jones
Chris Thompson
Keith Marshall
This is one of the interesting spots on the roster. Coaches believe that Matt Jones can be the leader of the backfield and be the workhorse back. They will go with the young players they have right now at running back—at least for now as they could change their minds during training camp. Chris Thompson had the most experience out of all the running backs on the roster and will be the speedy compliment to Jones on third downs. Keith Marshall gets the nod as the fastest back on the roster. With limited touches at Georgia, Marshall should be fresh for the Redskins. However, Jay Gruden said he could see them going with four running backs this season and the fourth could be Mack Brown or Robert Kelley.
Matt Jones
Chris Thompson
Keith Marshall
This is one of the interesting spots on the roster. Coaches believe that Matt Jones can be the leader of the backfield and be the workhorse back. They will go with the young players they have right now at running back—at least for now as they could change their minds during training camp. Chris Thompson had the most experience out of all the running backs on the roster and will be the speedy compliment to Jones on third downs. Keith Marshall gets the nod as the fastest back on the roster. With limited touches at Georgia, Marshall should be fresh for the Redskins. However, Jay Gruden said he could see them going with four running backs this season and the fourth could be Mack Brown or Robert Kelley.
Wide Receivers (6):
Pierre Garçon
DeSean Jackson
Jamison Crowder (Slot)
Josh Doctson
Ryan Grant
Rashad Ross
Not really any surprises here. Pierre Garçon and DeSean Jackson keep their starting spots on the outside. Jamison Crowder comes in as the slot receiver. The interesting thing to watch is where first round pick, Josh Doctson, comes in. In this predication, I have him as the fourth receiver, but with him lining up all over the place. In the slot and on the outside. Doctson will most likely be used in red-zone situations this season. Ryan Grant will most likely be the fifth receiver on the roster—we all know Jay Gruden loves him some Ryan Grant, haha. But seriously, he is a good route runner and has some potential. Rashad Ross makes it on as the sixth wide receiver (if they keep six) because of his return skills and deep threat ability. He has also learned more routes and has gotten a little bigger recently.
Pierre Garçon
DeSean Jackson
Jamison Crowder (Slot)
Josh Doctson
Ryan Grant
Rashad Ross
Not really any surprises here. Pierre Garçon and DeSean Jackson keep their starting spots on the outside. Jamison Crowder comes in as the slot receiver. The interesting thing to watch is where first round pick, Josh Doctson, comes in. In this predication, I have him as the fourth receiver, but with him lining up all over the place. In the slot and on the outside. Doctson will most likely be used in red-zone situations this season. Ryan Grant will most likely be the fifth receiver on the roster—we all know Jay Gruden loves him some Ryan Grant, haha. But seriously, he is a good route runner and has some potential. Rashad Ross makes it on as the sixth wide receiver (if they keep six) because of his return skills and deep threat ability. He has also learned more routes and has gotten a little bigger recently.
Tight Ends (4):
Jordan Reed
Niles Paul
Vernon Davis
Logan Paulsen
After Jordan Reed's breakout year last season, the Redskins tight end group could be one of the most talented in the NFL. Niles Paul returns as the second option behind Reed. Last season, the team named Paul the starter over Reed during training camp until he injured his ankle in the first preseason game and was out for the year. So that should tell you how much improved Paul was last year, now let's see if he can get back to that form. The Redskins signed D.C. Native, Vernon Davis, this offseason and is a big addition to the team. No, he isn't the same player he used to be with the 49ers, but he adds a veteran presence and all around talent that the Redskins were lacking at tight end (someone who can catch and block well). Finally, Logan Paulsen makes it on as the last tight end because of his blocking ability that the Redskins dearly missed last season.
Jordan Reed
Niles Paul
Vernon Davis
Logan Paulsen
After Jordan Reed's breakout year last season, the Redskins tight end group could be one of the most talented in the NFL. Niles Paul returns as the second option behind Reed. Last season, the team named Paul the starter over Reed during training camp until he injured his ankle in the first preseason game and was out for the year. So that should tell you how much improved Paul was last year, now let's see if he can get back to that form. The Redskins signed D.C. Native, Vernon Davis, this offseason and is a big addition to the team. No, he isn't the same player he used to be with the 49ers, but he adds a veteran presence and all around talent that the Redskins were lacking at tight end (someone who can catch and block well). Finally, Logan Paulsen makes it on as the last tight end because of his blocking ability that the Redskins dearly missed last season.
Offensive Line (8):
Trent Williams
Shawn Lauvao
Kory Lichtensteiger
Brandon Scherff
Morgan Moses
Spencer Long
Ty Nsekhe
Arie Kouandjio
Nothing different here. Trent Williams remains the starter, while Ty Nsekhe remains the backup swing tackle. Left Guard is a four way competition between Lauvao, Long, Kouandjio, and LeRibeus . Lauvao is currently watching from the sidelines as he is rehabbing from two ankle surgeries. Long, Kouandjio, and LeRibeus are currently splitting first team reps in OTA practices. I think Long has the best shot at pushing for that starting job, but I think Lauvao will ultimately reclaim it during training camp because once he was placed on injured reserve last year the running game plummeted. Jay Gruden said Lichtensteiger is no doubt the starter at center, but the Redskins still have 2015 seventh round pick Austin Reiter on the roster who plans to challenge for the starting spot. The team has also been experimenting with Spencer Long at center too. The fifth overall pick in last years draft (Brandon Scherff) comes in again and starts right away at right guard without competition. After making huge strides last season, Morgan Moses comes in and improves to being one of the best right tackles in the league and teams up with Brandon Scherff to lock down the right side of the line.
Trent Williams
Shawn Lauvao
Kory Lichtensteiger
Brandon Scherff
Morgan Moses
Spencer Long
Ty Nsekhe
Arie Kouandjio
Nothing different here. Trent Williams remains the starter, while Ty Nsekhe remains the backup swing tackle. Left Guard is a four way competition between Lauvao, Long, Kouandjio, and LeRibeus . Lauvao is currently watching from the sidelines as he is rehabbing from two ankle surgeries. Long, Kouandjio, and LeRibeus are currently splitting first team reps in OTA practices. I think Long has the best shot at pushing for that starting job, but I think Lauvao will ultimately reclaim it during training camp because once he was placed on injured reserve last year the running game plummeted. Jay Gruden said Lichtensteiger is no doubt the starter at center, but the Redskins still have 2015 seventh round pick Austin Reiter on the roster who plans to challenge for the starting spot. The team has also been experimenting with Spencer Long at center too. The fifth overall pick in last years draft (Brandon Scherff) comes in again and starts right away at right guard without competition. After making huge strides last season, Morgan Moses comes in and improves to being one of the best right tackles in the league and teams up with Brandon Scherff to lock down the right side of the line.
Defensive Line (7):
Chris Baker
Kedric Golston
Kendall Reyes
Stephen Paea
Ricky Jean-Francois
Trent Murphy
Matt Ioannidis
Chris Baker is the only player set in stone on the defensive line. He had a breakout season in 2015 and looks to have an even bigger year in the last year of his contract. Stephen Paea didn't live up to expectations last year after signing a four year contract. But he looks to regain his starting job whether it's on the right or left side this year. Fifth round pick Matt Ioannidis would have probably been a second round pick in previous years of the draft. He should come in right away and make a big impact in the trenches. He will be able to line up anywhere on the line and contribute in his rookie season.The longest tenured Redskin player on the roster, Kedric Golston, gets the nod as the starting nose tackle. However, I wouldn't be surprised if Jerrell Powe or Ziggy Hood made a strong case for this spot. I believe the right end spot will be the battle to watch during training camp. Kendall Reyes, Stephen Paea, and Ricky Jean-Francois will all compete for the starting job and as of now it looks like Reyes has the advantage. They all took first team reps in OTA's and will likely continue to do that during training camp. Trent Murphy gets in as a rotational player as he makes his transition to the defensive line.
Chris Baker
Kedric Golston
Kendall Reyes
Stephen Paea
Ricky Jean-Francois
Trent Murphy
Matt Ioannidis
Chris Baker is the only player set in stone on the defensive line. He had a breakout season in 2015 and looks to have an even bigger year in the last year of his contract. Stephen Paea didn't live up to expectations last year after signing a four year contract. But he looks to regain his starting job whether it's on the right or left side this year. Fifth round pick Matt Ioannidis would have probably been a second round pick in previous years of the draft. He should come in right away and make a big impact in the trenches. He will be able to line up anywhere on the line and contribute in his rookie season.The longest tenured Redskin player on the roster, Kedric Golston, gets the nod as the starting nose tackle. However, I wouldn't be surprised if Jerrell Powe or Ziggy Hood made a strong case for this spot. I believe the right end spot will be the battle to watch during training camp. Kendall Reyes, Stephen Paea, and Ricky Jean-Francois will all compete for the starting job and as of now it looks like Reyes has the advantage. They all took first team reps in OTA's and will likely continue to do that during training camp. Trent Murphy gets in as a rotational player as he makes his transition to the defensive line.
Outside Linebackers (5):
Ryan Kerrigan
Preston Smith
Junior Galette
Houston Bates
Terrence Garvin
Ryan Kerrigan obviously makes it on the roster and looks to improve on last years slow start to the season. I went back and forth with Bates, Garvin, and Jefferson. I chose Bates as the backup to Kerrigan as he has shown promise in past seasons. Preston Smith has been working across from Kerrigan all offseason and has looked really good. He has slimmed down a bit and looks faster and quicker. Junior Galette's still recovering from his Achilles injury but should be ready by training camp. I think the Redskins will mainly use him as a pass rushing specialist in passing situations. And Terrence Garvin makes the roster as the fifth OLB, which is usually rare for the Redskins. I put him over having a fourth running back because he can play both outside and inside linebacker positions and is a very good special teamer.
Ryan Kerrigan
Preston Smith
Junior Galette
Houston Bates
Terrence Garvin
Ryan Kerrigan obviously makes it on the roster and looks to improve on last years slow start to the season. I went back and forth with Bates, Garvin, and Jefferson. I chose Bates as the backup to Kerrigan as he has shown promise in past seasons. Preston Smith has been working across from Kerrigan all offseason and has looked really good. He has slimmed down a bit and looks faster and quicker. Junior Galette's still recovering from his Achilles injury but should be ready by training camp. I think the Redskins will mainly use him as a pass rushing specialist in passing situations. And Terrence Garvin makes the roster as the fifth OLB, which is usually rare for the Redskins. I put him over having a fourth running back because he can play both outside and inside linebacker positions and is a very good special teamer.
Middle Linebackers (4):
Will Compton
Mason Foster
Su'a Cravens
Martrell Spaight
Will Compton comes in as the starter and possible captain on defense. One of the closest battles in camp will be Mason Foster and Perry Riley. So far, Riley has been held out because of his foot injury he suffered last season. In this scenario, I have Foster taking over as the starter, and since Riley isn't a great special teamer, the team cuts him and saves $5 million in cap space. Su'a Cravens will mostly be playing as a inside linebacker but will be listed as a safety. He will move all over the field and will be a great help to special teams. I think the second round pick will have a role similar to last years rookie Kyshoen Jarrett and Arizona Cardinal's third year veteran, Deone Bucannon. Martrell Spaight comes in as the fourth inside linebacker after missing all of his rookie season. Spaight has a lot of potential and has shown promise so far this offseason. He has been working as the play caller for the second and third team defense.
Will Compton
Mason Foster
Su'a Cravens
Martrell Spaight
Will Compton comes in as the starter and possible captain on defense. One of the closest battles in camp will be Mason Foster and Perry Riley. So far, Riley has been held out because of his foot injury he suffered last season. In this scenario, I have Foster taking over as the starter, and since Riley isn't a great special teamer, the team cuts him and saves $5 million in cap space. Su'a Cravens will mostly be playing as a inside linebacker but will be listed as a safety. He will move all over the field and will be a great help to special teams. I think the second round pick will have a role similar to last years rookie Kyshoen Jarrett and Arizona Cardinal's third year veteran, Deone Bucannon. Martrell Spaight comes in as the fourth inside linebacker after missing all of his rookie season. Spaight has a lot of potential and has shown promise so far this offseason. He has been working as the play caller for the second and third team defense.
Cornerbacks (6):
Josh Norman
Bashuad Breeland
Dashaun Phillips (Slot)
Quinton Dunbar
Kendall Fuller
Greg Toler
The Redskins upgraded their corners big time when they signed Josh Norman, the best corner last season, to a five year contract. He and Bashuad Breeland should make one of the toughest defensive back fields in the league as Breeland was ranked as the ninth best corner by Pro Football Focus last season. The slot position should be an interesting spot. Right now they have Dashuan Phillips lining up as the starter and he has looked great so far in practice. If he keeps it up he has a very good chance at being the main slot corner. However, rookie Kendall Fuller looks to challenge him in training camp when he gets back to 100% health. Depending on how Will Blackmon fares as a safety and how much Dunbar has improved, another option could be sliding Breeland inside and having either Dunbar or Blackmon outside. Quinton Dunbar will likely come in as the fourth cornerback and will be the backup to Norman and Breeland. The team also signed Greg Toler to a one-year deal and he should provide good depth.
Josh Norman
Bashuad Breeland
Dashaun Phillips (Slot)
Quinton Dunbar
Kendall Fuller
Greg Toler
The Redskins upgraded their corners big time when they signed Josh Norman, the best corner last season, to a five year contract. He and Bashuad Breeland should make one of the toughest defensive back fields in the league as Breeland was ranked as the ninth best corner by Pro Football Focus last season. The slot position should be an interesting spot. Right now they have Dashuan Phillips lining up as the starter and he has looked great so far in practice. If he keeps it up he has a very good chance at being the main slot corner. However, rookie Kendall Fuller looks to challenge him in training camp when he gets back to 100% health. Depending on how Will Blackmon fares as a safety and how much Dunbar has improved, another option could be sliding Breeland inside and having either Dunbar or Blackmon outside. Quinton Dunbar will likely come in as the fourth cornerback and will be the backup to Norman and Breeland. The team also signed Greg Toler to a one-year deal and he should provide good depth.
Strong Safeties (2):
David Bruton
Duke Ihenacho
The battle between David Bruton and Duke Ihenacho should get interesting throughout the offseason. Bruton mainly played special teams throughout his career, but has shown he has the ability to start. So far this offseason Bruton has been lining up as the starter next to DeAngelo Hall. But the coaches have said nothing is set in stone and it can be changed at anytime. Duke Ihenacho, who began as the starter the past two seasons until injuries interfered, has a shot to reclaim his roll again. He has also taken some first team reps along side Hall. Both players should provide quality safety and special teams help.
David Bruton
Duke Ihenacho
The battle between David Bruton and Duke Ihenacho should get interesting throughout the offseason. Bruton mainly played special teams throughout his career, but has shown he has the ability to start. So far this offseason Bruton has been lining up as the starter next to DeAngelo Hall. But the coaches have said nothing is set in stone and it can be changed at anytime. Duke Ihenacho, who began as the starter the past two seasons until injuries interfered, has a shot to reclaim his roll again. He has also taken some first team reps along side Hall. Both players should provide quality safety and special teams help.
Free Safeties (2):
DeAngelo Hall
Will Blackmon
The two former corners round out the safety position with DeAngelo Hall as the starting free safety. Hall had his ups and downs last season, but with a full offseason of experience under his belt at safety he should be much improved. In fact, he as looked very good so far in practices. Hall has also challenged himself to be considered one of the best safeties in the league once the season is all said and done. The Redskins are trying former corner Will Blackmon out at safety this offseason after re-signing him to a two-year deal. He has added a lot of muscle this offseason to get ready for the new role and should provide good pass defense in the back end of the secondary.
DeAngelo Hall
Will Blackmon
The two former corners round out the safety position with DeAngelo Hall as the starting free safety. Hall had his ups and downs last season, but with a full offseason of experience under his belt at safety he should be much improved. In fact, he as looked very good so far in practices. Hall has also challenged himself to be considered one of the best safeties in the league once the season is all said and done. The Redskins are trying former corner Will Blackmon out at safety this offseason after re-signing him to a two-year deal. He has added a lot of muscle this offseason to get ready for the new role and should provide good pass defense in the back end of the secondary.
Special Teams (3):
Punter: Tress Way
No surprises here as Tress Way has no competition on a new five year deal.
Kicker: Dustin Hopkins
The Redskins didn't get another kicker this offseason to compete with Hopkins because they felt it would be a wasted roster space, so Dustin Hopkins comes in as the kicker for 2016.
Long Snapper: Nick Sundberg
No changes for the long snapper either. However, Nick Sundberg is in the last year of his contract and looks to get an extension.
Punter: Tress Way
No surprises here as Tress Way has no competition on a new five year deal.
Kicker: Dustin Hopkins
The Redskins didn't get another kicker this offseason to compete with Hopkins because they felt it would be a wasted roster space, so Dustin Hopkins comes in as the kicker for 2016.
Long Snapper: Nick Sundberg
No changes for the long snapper either. However, Nick Sundberg is in the last year of his contract and looks to get an extension.
Injured Reserve:
Kyshoen Jarrett, Safety
Unfortunately, I believe the Redskins will be forced to put Kyshoen Jarrett on I.R. to end his 2016 season so that he will be able to rehab/rest his shoulder and try to get back the muscle he lost.
Kyshoen Jarrett, Safety
Unfortunately, I believe the Redskins will be forced to put Kyshoen Jarrett on I.R. to end his 2016 season so that he will be able to rehab/rest his shoulder and try to get back the muscle he lost.
Players Who Barely Missed the Cut:
Joe Kerridge - FB
Derek Carrier - TE
Mack Brown - RB
Jerrell Powe - NT
Ziggy Hood - DL
Willie Jefferson - OLB
Adam Hayward - ILB
Lloyd Carrington - CB
Perry Riley - ILB
Robert Kelley - RB
Joe Kerridge - FB
Derek Carrier - TE
Mack Brown - RB
Jerrell Powe - NT
Ziggy Hood - DL
Willie Jefferson - OLB
Adam Hayward - ILB
Lloyd Carrington - CB
Perry Riley - ILB
Robert Kelley - RB