Washington Redskins post-NFL Draft 53-man roster projection

Cornerback

Roster Projection: Josh Norman, Quinton Dunbar, Fabian Moreau, Joshua Holsey, Greg Stroman, Orlando Scandrick

Roster Locks: Josh Norman, Quinton Dunbar, Fabian Moreau

Offseason Sleepers: Danny Johnson

Aside from left guard, the position of cornerback might be the biggest question mark for the Washington Redskins. Josh Norman is slotted as the starter on the outside, but who starts opposite him, and in the slot, remains to be seen. Those pieces will settle in the offseason.

On the outside opposite Norman, Quinton Dunbar and Fabian Moreau are the most popular options. Dunbar, 6-foot-2, 197, has the edge, in my opinion, due to his length and his in-game experience, which he received last year when filling in for Bashaud Breeland. Dunbar played surprisingly well in relief in 2017, and it wasn’t a fluke. There were several weeks where he was asked to fill in, and he played like a starting caliber cornerback each week. Dunbar also has past experience as a wide receiver, which will help him stay one step ahead of his opponents. He knows their thought process better than any cornerback on the roster.

If Dunbar starts, however, it becomes unclear what the team should do with Fabian Moreau. The most logical option is to keep Moreau where he is most natural: On the outside. He could rotate in with Josh Norman and Quinton Dunbar, and that would be a quality option. However, just as the team did with Kendall Fuller, who played primarily on the outside in college, the Washington Redskins could try and move Moreau inside. But they have alternative options there as well.

Joshua Holsey drew praise from team staff in the offseason of 2017, and although he never got any playing time in the slot, that is where he projects the best. Holsey will have competition, however. Former Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick played primarily in the slot throughout his time in Dallas, and although he’s not as fast as he used to be, the team could settle for him there; they’ve done similar things with other declining veterans in the past.

Greg Stroman is also an option in the slot, and perhaps one that we should talk about more. On the surface, it might seem brash to talk about a seventh-round pick as a possible starter in the slot. But Stroman is not your ordinary seventh-round pick.

Stroman’s biggest knock is that he’s undersized. There are no fundamental concerns, or issues with his character and his game I.Q. Stroman may have been just a few pounds away from a fourth-round grade in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Stroman’s size (5-foot-11, 183) is an issue in the NFL, as it remains to be seen whether he can hold up and withstand solid contact on a regular basis. But he had no injury issues in college, and in terms of coverage ability, he was one of the best in the NCAA. Stroman is very quick on his feet, and he can change directions in a flash. With his length, he can easily blanket receivers. In the slot, he could be a very credible threat for opposing offenses. He would need to beef up a bit, in order to withstand the physical climate. But Stroman can play. And he has the talent to start, if things line up for him.

Another player who should not be forgotten is undrafted free agent Danny Johnson, out of Southern University. Johnson is undersized, standing at 5-foot-9, 181, but his instincts and playmaking ability cannot be ignored. He finished his lengthy career at Southern with 17 interceptions, showing that he has the ability to not only diagnose, but also make plays on the ball. He faces steep competition ahead of him, but if he can tack on some weight and impress in camp, he could find a way onto the final 53. Otherwise, look for the team to keep him around on the practice squad.