The Washington Redskins have a lot of new players on their roster who could challenge for starting roles. Here is a look at some key position battles for 2017.
One of the most improved teams over the course of the 2017 NFL offseason has been the Washington Redskins. Though the team lost their general manager Scot McCloughan early in the free agent period, the team rebounded to add some quality pieces to their team. Then, in the draft they added 10 new players who all should have a chance to compete for roles with the team.
However, at this point in time there are a total of 90 players on the Washington Redskins roster. By the start of the 2017 NFL season, they will have to have 53. With that said, positional battles are going to be extremely important for some of the fringe players on the team, as it could be a huge difference maker as they try to make the final roster.
With that in mind, here is a look at the top five position battles and how they may shake out over the course of the offseason.
5. Left Guard: Shawn Lauvao vs. Arie Kouandjio vs. Chase Roullier
The Redskins had one of the strongest offensive lines in the NFL during the 2017 season. Led by perennial Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams, the team got some development from their younger players on the right side of the line.
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Guard Brandon Scherff was fantastic as he lived up to his status as the No. 5 overall pick in 2015, making his first Pro Bowl and faring well in all facets of the game. Meanwhile, right tackle Morgan Moses continued to develop into one of the better players at his position, and earned a lucrative extension as a result.
Despite this solid play, the Redskins still have one weakness on the front. That is at left guard. Starter Shawn Lauvao was pedestrian at best last year, and his knack for being injured could cost him his job. Lauvao would be best served as a solid backup, but in order to play him there, the Redskins will need to see some potential in their younger players to make a move.
The two main competitors for the guard spot are Arie Kouandjio and Chase Roullier. Kouandjio is entering his third season with the Redskins and despite limited playing time, he has upside as a potentially solid starter. If he can prove that he is ready to take over for Lauvao, he may have a shot to do so, especially given Lauvao’s cap number.
Meanwhile, Roullier is a versatile rookie who can play both center and guard. There is a chance that he could outplay either Kouandjio or Lauvao. However, there is also a chance he could be a solid fit at center, which would allow Spencer Long to move back to left guard. It will be interesting to see what happens at this position, as upgrading Lauvao could pay major dividends for the offense.
4. Nose Tackle: Phil Taylor vs. The Field
This would be one of the most exciting position battles on the team if they had even one notable player at the position. Currently, the Redskins lack a true nose tackle. Their projected starter right now may be Phil Taylor, a former first rounder for the Cleveland Browns who has not played a snap since 2014. Taylor had a lot of upside before injuries sapped him of his ability to play, and there is a chance that he could make an impact if healthy.
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In truth, there is not a lot of competition for Taylor. The team might be hoping that Joey Mbu can become a backup, but realistically he is a try hard player without a proven track record of success. Undrafted free agent Ondre Pipkins has the size that teams typically look for in nose tackles at 6-foot-3, 325 pounds, so maybe if he impresses in the preseason, he could get a shot.
Another option is to continue to play veterans out of position until they find a real solution. Ziggy Hood manned the spot last year, but it would be a major mistake to let him work their again. Perhaps one of the team’s free agent acquisitions, Terrell McClain or Stacy McGee, could play the position. Neither is a great fit, but McGee may be able to hold down the fort thanks to his run stuffing prowess.
In short, this position is totally unpredictable. That will make it fun to watch as the Redskins try to fill their biggest roster hole.
3. Slot Cornerback: Kendall Fuller vs. Fabian Moreau vs. Joshua Holsey
There was a competition for the slot cornerback job last year as well. In that contest, Dashaun Phillips won the role for the first couple games of the season before injuring himself and then spending time bouncing between the active roster and the practice squad. In 2017, the competition will once again be fierce.
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As of right now, it looks like the younger players are going to be battling for the job. Kendall Fuller played the slot a bit last year, but struggled to close the season. Though he ultimately lost his job, Fuller will have a chance to make an impact, given that he has the most experience at the position. Essentially, it is his job to lose.
Elsewhere, a couple of rookies will be involved in the competition. Fabian Moreau, a third round pick by the team, will have a chance to win some slot duties provided that he can get healthy. Moreau really is a better fit on the outside, but if Bashaud Breeland plays well in the preseason, then the Skins will not have a place for Moreau. If he wants to get on the field early and often, he will have to win the slot job.
Finally, the dark horse for the slot is Joshua Holsey. The Redskins version of Mr. Irrelevant was their seventh round pick, and his size (5-foot-10) will likely limit him to such duties. However, Holsey has impressed in rookie mini-camp, and he could end up on the active roster. The Redskins have given younger players an opportunity before and Holsey, who has five years of experience at Auburn, could be an excellent fit at the position.
2. Rush Linebacker: Trent Murphy vs. Preston Smith vs. Ryan Anderson
Many would assume that Trent Murphy would be locked in as the starter across from Ryan Kerrigan. After a career year that saw Murphy record nine sacks, it would make sense to have him start. However, Murphy is suspended for the first four games of the season, and that could cause him to lose the job if one of the other young guys play well.
Preston Smith is this year’s potential breakout candidate on defense. Smith recorded eight sacks as a rookie before struggling to get going during his second season. However, Smith has excellent athleticism and is in great condition right now. His length could allow him to wreak havoc, and Murphy’s performance along with the addition of Anderson could light a fire under him.
Speaking of Ryan Anderson, he has a chance to emerge as a starter as well. The second round pick is a hard worker who has been able to play well in Alabama’s 3-4 defense for the past few seasons. The Redskins like hard workers on the edge, as evidenced by the work they have done with Kerrigan. Anderson may not be ready to start right away, but expect him to put up a fight as he looks to earn a role with the team.
For those wondering why Junior Galette is not listed, it is simply because he is too unreliable to be a starter. He is constantly hurt or in trouble, so landing a backup role should be the realistic expectation for him going into 2017.
1. Running Back: Robert Kelley vs. Samaje Perine
This is going to be one of the more interesting battles to watch. Both Robert Kelley and Samaje Perine are strong runners. They use their strength to push forward and gain extra yards. Because of this, it makes sense to use them as a tandem and wear down opposing defenses. Still, there are some serious questions about who will be the starter.
Conventional wisdom would say that Kelley will retain the job. After taking over for Matt Jones midway through the season, Kelley was able to provide consistency at the running back position for the team. Though he did tire a bit at the end of the season, that can be blamed more on the fact that he had not handled a full workload in his college career. He never even logged 100 carries at Tulane. Still, Kelley needs to make sure he is in good shape, otherwise Perine could take over.
While Kelley has not handled much of a workload, Perine is a workhorse. Though he split time with Joe Mixon during his final season, Perine totaled 685 college carries and always was able to gain positive yardage. He broke the single game NCAA rushing record with 427 yards in a single game. He never says no to carrying the ball, and his physical style takes a toll on defenders. The only question is, will he be able to beat out Kelley?
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This will be the most exciting battle, as it may have a massive impact on the team’s offensive game plan. At the same time, the Redskins should be in good shape with both players. They each have talent and should work as a two headed monster out of the backfield.