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How Byron Marshall can win a spot on the Redskins 53-man roster

By Jacob Camenker

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 30: Byron Marshall #34 of the Washington Redskins leaps over Orlando Scandrick #32 of the Dallas Cowboys on a run in the first quarter of a football game at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 30: Byron Marshall #34 of the Washington Redskins leaps over Orlando Scandrick #32 of the Dallas Cowboys on a run in the first quarter of a football game at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Rob Kelley #20 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Rob Kelley #20 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Marshall’s competition

The Redskins have excellent depth, and that is going to make it very hard for the team to decide on the fourth back to keep.

Most notably, Rob Kelley, who has reportedly looked good at OTAs, is on the bubble. The fact that the team really could use a versatile, receiving back as a backup might put him on the outside looking in. But, his physicality and experience could make it hard for Gruden to cut him, especially if he’s fully healthy.

Aside from Kelley, the team also has a couple of other intriguing options. Both would qualify as receiving backs. One in Kapri Bibbs, who joined the Redskins roster late last season. He is a shifty, elusive player out of the backfield who excels at making men miss in open space. He had a nice touchdown off a screen pass late in the year, and he definitely has the ability necessary to be the fourth back.

The other guy to consider for the Redskins is undrafted free agent Martez Carter. Dubbed “Mr. Excitement” at NC A&T, Carter has a Tarik Cohen type skill set and could be a contributor at the next level. He doesn’t have great size, but he has explosive ability. At the very least, he seems like a practice squader.

Finally, the wild card is Keith Marshall. The fast, former seventh round pick by the Redskins has struggled to stay healthy in his two NFL seasons. But if he can stay healthy, he’ll have at least a shot to make the final roster. However, he is still a big question mark.

Next: Ranking all 90 players on Redskins roster

Despite the competition, Marshall might have the exact blend of versatility that Gruden is looking for. He should have a good chance to make the roster as a running back/receiver hybrid, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him on the final 53-man unit. Marshall is certainly a player who bodes watching, and it’s unlikely that he will continue to fly under the radar.

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