Roster Battles: Wide Receiver

The first preseason game has come and gone as the Redskins defeated the defending AFC Champs, the Pittsburgh Steelers, 16-7.  The first team offense worked like a well oiled machine and Rex Grossman looked pretty impressive going 19 for 26 and gaining 207 yards, including a touchdown.  Grossman's performance can be attributed to himself, along with a retooled offensive line and receiving corps. Here is how we ranked the WR corps at the start of training camp (before FA and trades):

1- Santana Moss
2- Leonard Hankerson
3- Anthony Armstrong
4- Malcolm Kelley
5- Brandon Banks
6- Aldrick Robinson
7- Niles Paul
8- Terrence Austin

Here is how the race shapes up after last night:

Santana Moss (UP/10): Moss was great Friday night, he had seven catches for 64 yards and scored the Skins only touchdown.

Jabar Gaffney (7): Gaffney was a huge reason that Rex Grossman stayed in rhythm. Grossman hit him five times for nearly 40 yards, and it was clear that Gaffney is a professional receiver and a great route runner.

Anthony Armstrong (UP/7): Armstrong continued his strong play from 2010, he had three catches for 32 yards.

Terrence Austin (UP/6): Austin looked great against the Steelers, he had two catches, one of which was a 38 yard reception.  Austin also filled in when Aldrick Robinson was struggling with punt returns and registered a 19 yard return (equal to Brandon Banks).

Brandon Banks (UP/6): Banks is still impossible to handicap at this point. He was electrifying in the return game, sending a kick back 58 yards and a punt 19 yards. But Banks was non-existent in the passing games and didn't register a catch.  It just come down to if Shanny will keep a one dimensional return guy or if someone else can step up in the return role.

Donte Stallworth (5): Stallworth showed some flashes of value Friday, he did have three catches for 46 yards. But he also missed a TD catch early in the game that really could have helped his stock.

BELOW THE CUT-LINE

Leonard Hankerson (DOWN/5): Hankerson was the most hyped Redskin rookie coming in, some ordered jerseys, some ordained him the next Art Monk, but all of that needs to be put on hold now. There were many accounts of Hankerson's struggles in training camp this year, but Friday gave us the first view of him first hand.  Hankerson was flat out terrible, dropping several of Kellen Clemens' passes and only registering one catch for eight yards. I'm sure he finds a way on the roster, but he needs to step up starting next week versus the Colts.

Niles Paul (UP/4): Paul looked good in the slot and caught a critical 3rd down conversion for 16 yards in the 3rd quarter. Hopefully Paul will get to show some return ability in the next game.

Aldrick Robinson (DOWN/2): Robinson was pretty bad last night muffing two punts and one near the endzone. He also did not register a catch as a WR.

Malcolm Kelley (DOWN/1): Mr.Glass continued his trend of not participating in actual football games.

Isaac Anderson (DOWN/1): Did not register a catch to my knowledge.