So, we’ve got one preseason game in the books. I’ve seen enough to know who’s making the team and who’s not. I mean, a bunch of spots are already locks and trust me, I know who the last few that are going to make it are. Consider the bubble popped. Don’t worry, I won’t make you angst about it for the rest of the preseason. Here it is: the Washington Redskins 53-Man Roster!
Offense (24)
Quarterback (3)
Kirk Cousins, Colt McCoy, Nate Sudfeld
Sudfeld can play and has great potential. I don’t think the team could get him to their PS without him being poached. QBs are always in demand.
Offensive Line (9)
Trent Williams, Shawn Lauvao, Kory Lichtensteiger, Brandon Scherff, Morgan Moses, Spencer Long, Ty Nsekhe, Arie Kouandjio, Takoby Cofield
I’m not locked in with Lauvao as the starter quite yet, but he’s making the team and in my opinion, probably going to start. I think Cofield makes it because they played him so much last game, gave him that roster bonus as an UDFA last year, and he has the versatility to play OT and/or G. Cofield is definitely the ninth OL here though and I suppose LeRibs still has a slight chance, but not really. They need a guy who play OT and already have Long and AK as interior reserves. I think we’re finally cutting the cord with LeRibs.
Wide Receiver (6)
DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Jamison Crowder, Josh Doctson, Ryan Grant, Rashad Ross
Ross is a logical sixth WR thanks to his immense/incredible speed and STs ability/potential. Those two things are what gives him the edge over Maurice Harris. This is an incredible fast and talented group that really is one of the more set-in-stone groups on the team. This collection also allows Doctson to be brought along slowly and for them to wait until he’s definitely 100%. Maurice Harris is going to the PS. He’s a close seventh.
Tight End (3)
Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, Niles Paul
The team can afford to let Paulsen go because Davis and Paul are adequate blockers and both are superior receivers. Who knows what the deal is with Carrier at this point? He’ll probably start the season on the injured list and not counts toward the 53. Sucks to cut Paulsen, but our roster is getting good enough that good players are going to be cut. This is a good mix of veterans and youth.
Running Back (3)
Matt Jones, Chris Thompson, Robert Kelley
Kelley beats out Marshall and Brown. He’s already shown that he’s better so far in camp and against Atlanta. Marshall simply couldn’t get anything going against the Falcons, at all. The potential still exists that a veteran could be brought in. At least one, if not both of Marshall and Brown will be on the PS. This is a young, fast, talented group... they just lack experience. Thompson’s goign to have a huge year as our third-down back.
Defense (26)
Defensive Line (7)
Chris Baker, Kedric Golston, Kendall Reyes, Matt Ioannidis, Stephen Paea, Ricky Jean Francois, Ziggy Hood
Ziggy Hood has earned his way onto this roster. He’s been stellar in camp and continued that level of play against the Falcons. I’m not totally set with the starters (aside from Baker). It likely doesn’t matter as 5-6 of these guys are probably going to rotate heavily. It’s a veteran group who’s sum is greater than it’s parts.
Outside Linebacker (4)
Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith, Trent Murphy, Houston Bates
Preston Smith is about to take a monster step. I do think there’s an outside chance that Lynden Trail makes it here, but I expect he’ll go to the PS. Jefferson’s also close.
Inside Linebacker (5)
Will Compton, Mason Foster, Su’a Cravens, Martrell Spaight, Terrance Garvin
Yes, Su’a Cravens is an ILB. Really difficult decision to cut Riley here, but he’s simply too expensive to not start. Garvin will be one of our STs captains. Riley will probably end up getting PT on another squad. Hopefully that doesn’t come back to bite us.
Cornerback (6)
Josh Norman, Bashaud Breeland, Dashaun Phillips, Kendall Fuller, Quinton Dunbar, Greg Toler
Dunbar’s young and has a lot of potential. Too much potential to cut. I don’t think they could get him to the PS. Don’t let the Atlanta game blind you. Dunbar’s going to be a very good CB. Toler’s better right now, but Dunbar will factor more into our team in the future/down the line. We are honestly so stacked at CB. Might be the most stacked position group on any team in the league.
Safety (4)
DeAngelo Hall, David Bruton, Duke Ihenacho, Will Blackmon
This group is pretty well set. Ihenacho still could possibly start over Bruton, but that’s just about all the excitement left here. It’s a veteran group with tons of experience in the league. That’s what you want as the back-line of your defense.
Specialists (3)
Tress Way, Dustin Hopkins, Nick Sundberg
I mean, none of them even have any competition...