Illegal Notion: Projecting the Redskins 53-man roster

With one preseason game left, who’s in, and who’s out?

As usual, I think 50-51 spots are set on this roster. The last two spots will be decided between WR, DB, and LB. Specifically, I think those last spots come down to WR Robert Davis, WR Josh Doctson, WR Jehu Chesson, WR Darvin Kidsy (if Trey Quinn’s health is a concern) LB Marquise Flowers, and S Jeremy Reaves. In the end, I think one of those spots will be filled by an ILB that is not currently on the team, as the team will certainly be combing through other teams’ cut lists on Sunday morning.

Offense (25):

QB (3): Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins Jr., Colt McCoy

All parties involved have reported that Colt is moving around much better and that he is ‘at most’ a few weeks away. With the organization wanting to take it slow with Haskins, Colt will be insurance for Case in the early weeks of the season.

RB (4): Adrian Peterson, Derrius Guice, Chris Thompson, Samaje Perine

No change here...Perine is still a Gruden favorite.

WR (6): Paul Richardson Jr., Trey Quinn, Terry McLaurin, Robert Davis, Kelvin Harmon, Cam Sims

Jehu Chesson loses his spot to Cam Sims here. I do not think Josh Doctson makes this team. Even if he does make it through this weekend, I expect him to be wearing another uniform before the season starts.

TE (3): Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, Jeremy Sprinkle

No change. Flanagan can’t catch, and JP Holtz is a dime-a-dozen.

OL (9): Donald Penn, Wes Martin, Chase Roullier, Brandon Scherff, Morgan Moses, Geron Christian Sr., Ereck Flowers, Ross Pierschbacher, Tony Bergstrom

Again, no change here. I think these are the obvious nine. If, somehow, Trent Williams comes back, I think the Redskins will attempt to stash Ross Pierschbacher on the practice squad. Otherwise, these nine seem safe. I still expect Martin to start sooner rather than later at LG next to Donald Penn.

Defense (25):

DL (5): Jonathan Allen, DaRon Payne, Matt Ioannidis, Caleb Brantley, Tim Settle

Assuming health, these five are locks. I hope they can match the hype in 2019...and maybe even early 2020.

EDGE (4): Ryan Kerrigan, Montez Sweat, Ryan Anderson, Cassanova McKinzy (Jordan Brailford to IR)

Jordan Brailford has drawn rave reviews from coaches because of his speed and bend around the edge, but he still isn’t healthy. I expect him to spend his rookie season on IR.

ILB (5): Josh Harvey-Clemons, Jon Bostic, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Cole Holcomb, Marquise Flowers

I added Marquise Flowers here for his special teams value, but truth be told, I think a veteran linebacker from on another team’s roster will fill that last LB spot. BJ Blunt has flashed, but he’s been out of position too often on passing plays.

CB (6): Josh Norman, Quinton Dunbar, Fabian Moreau, Jimmy Moreland, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Greg Stroman (Danny Johnson to IR, Adonis Alexander to PS)

Again, I think these six players are locks. It’s possible the team keeps Alexander because of his physical prowess and because of the draft capital invested in him in last year’s Supplemental Draft, but I don’t think they’d be in danger of losing him to another team if they stash him on the practice squad. He has shown almost nothing thus far in his young career.

S (5): Montae Nicholson, Landon Collins, Deshazor Everett, Troy Apke, Jeremy Reaves

I still think Reaves makes this team. I think he’s just flat-out better than Troy Apke, as he takes better angles and comes downhill more decisively than the former Penn State...stud? Reaves also provides tremendous special teams value.

Specialists (3): Dustin Hopkins, Nick Sundberg, Tress Way

Those guys are important (and an incredibly funny crew) but I, again, don’t want to talk about them.

Draft nugget: Will the Redskins add yet another Alabama star to their roster in the 2020 NFL Draft? Check out Drafttek.com to find out who that might be!

That’s it for my thoughts this week. Feel free to hit me up on Twitter (@Kennedy_Paynter), or drop me a line in the comments below. Thanks for reading!