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The 5 O'Clock Club: Redskins team depth

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere...

By Bill-in-Bangkok

The 5 o’clock club aims to provide a forum for reader-driven discussion at a time of day when there isn’t much NFL news being published. Feel free to introduce topics that interest you in the comments below.

This article appeared in the Washington Post at the end of July, before the Redskins had played any pre-season games.

Okay, so you have heard this before. Or something similar. It’s a rite of NFL training camp for the Washington Redskins to make public declarations that they’re more talented than in the past, that this proves they have done good work building the roster and that they will be able to withstand misfortune because of their improved depth.

And then the season starts, things go wrong and holes appear everywhere, inviting water to sink the breathless preseason optimism.

So let me grab a shield before throwing this out one more time. Maybe I should whisper it, too: They’re praising their depth again, and this time, it’s true.

Make them take a lie-detector test. Invite your most skeptical friend over to ask them the toughest questions possible. I’m not willing to say Washington is the most talented team in the league — or even in the top 10. But when I look at the team’s depth — meaning the balanced distribution of talent across the depth chart, the number of legitimate position battles, the breakdown of players capable of making a meaningful contribution on the field — I don’t see a roster anymore that belongs in the bottom half of the NFL. This is an above-average roster. This team isn’t overflowing with talent, but it isn’t three injuries from being in trouble. Consider it functional NFL depth.

You could argue that there aren’t 11 defensive starters anymore. Factor in defensive line rotations and personnel adjustments (nickel corner, dime linebacker) on passing downs, and you really need about 15 starting-caliber players. And then you can talk about quality backups.

We’ve seen four pre-season games since that article was written. Tomorrow, we’ll find out the coaches’ choices for the 53-man roster, but you probably have a feeling about the roster depth already.

What do you think?

How do you rate the depth of this 2017 Washington Redskins team?

When you look at individual positions or position groups, are there any truly “thin” spots -- places where the front office hasn’t done enough?

Are there any free agents still in available that the Redskins should be looking at with just a week left before the start of the season?

Do you expect the ‘Skins to try to sign any players from cut from other teams?

Are we so ‘fat’ anywhere that the front office should be trying to pull off a trade before the season begins?

Poll

Question 1: Which Redskins position group has the greatest depth?

This poll is closed

  • 1%
    quarterback
    (7 votes)
  • 4%
    running back
    (21 votes)
  • 9%
    wide receiver
    (46 votes)
  • 43%
    tight end
    (203 votes)
  • 2%
    offensive line
    (12 votes)
  • 0%
    safeties
    (3 votes)
  • 25%
    cornerbacks
    (119 votes)
  • 6%
    outside linebackers
    (31 votes)
  • 3%
    inside linebackers
    (16 votes)
  • 2%
    defensive line
    (10 votes)
468 votes total Vote Now

Poll

Question 2: Which Redskins position group has the least amount of depth?

This poll is closed

  • 9%
    quarterback
    (39 votes)
  • 8%
    running back
    (35 votes)
  • 4%
    wide receiver
    (17 votes)
  • 0%
    tight end
    (2 votes)
  • 15%
    offensive line
    (66 votes)
  • 14%
    safeties
    (59 votes)
  • 2%
    cornerbacks
    (10 votes)
  • 4%
    outside linebackers
    (17 votes)
  • 12%
    inside linebackers
    (50 votes)
  • 29%
    defensive line
    (121 votes)
416 votes total Vote Now

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