Redskins Reserves - If Backups Were Starters

In the NFL, having quality backups is a key to success. Injuries happen all the time to key starters, and teams need capable guys to step up, and into the starting line-up without missing a beat. This obviously doesn't always happen, as losing a key player such as your starting quarterback, or franchise left tackle, can often crush a team's chances to be competitive week in and week out.

Regardless of the position, teams need depth across the board. This has been a major issue for the Redskins over the last decade, as prior GM's have minimized the draft in favor of pricy free agent signings. This does two things: 1)Minimizing draft picks, and/or trading away picks, doesn't allow the team to build a young, core group to develop behind the starters, and 2)It limits the quantity of players you can bring in as young free agent depth, when you spend a big chunk of your team's salary cap on one or two high priced players.

Scot McCloughan is a GM who believes in drafting young talent, and developing that talent to become contributors on the team. Scot uses free agency sparingly, filling in gaps where needed to provide starting upgrades, and backup depth.

Below is a look at our team if our backups became starters. Now, of course, this is the absolute extreme, but it does give us a look at the depth we have on this team.

Offense:

QB - Colt McCoy

RB - Chris Thompson/Silas Redd

WR - Ryan Grant

WR - Rashad Ross

WR - Laron Byrd

TE - Niles Paul/Derek Carrier

LT - Ty Nsekhe

LG - Arie Kouandjio

C - Josh LeRibeus(potential starter)/Austin Reiter

RG - Spencer Long(potential starter)

RT - Takoby Cofield

Defense:

DE - Kendall Reyes(potential starter)/Kedric Golston

NT - Jerrell Powe

DE - Ricky Jean-Francois/Ziggy Hood

OLB - Trent Murphy

ILB - Will Compton(potential starter)

ILB - Terence Garvin/Martrell Spaight

OLB - Preston Smith

CB - Quinton Dunbar

SS - David Bruton(potential starter)

FS - Kyshoen Jarrett(potential starter)

CB - Will Blackmon

In the comments section, let's discuss:

- Positions groups where depth is at its strongest

- Positions groups where depth is at its weakest

- Areas where we could lose a starter and not miss a beat

- Areas where you feel a reserve could take over as a starter

- A backup who has the most potential as a future starter for this team