Riggo's Rag
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Riggo’s Rag Mailbag: Red zone, Redskins record, and more

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 24: Wide receiver Josh Doctson #18 of the Washington Redskins scores a touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter at FedExField on December 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 24: Wide receiver Josh Doctson #18 of the Washington Redskins scores a touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter at FedExField on December 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Cornerback Quinton Dunbar #47 of the Washington Redskins reacts after a play against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Cornerback Quinton Dunbar #47 of the Washington Redskins reacts after a play against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Matt L.: Which cornerbacks make the roster and which corners have a chance in becoming impact players? 

It seems probable that the Redskins will carry six cornerbacks and four safeties as they did for most of the 2017 season. They have solid but unproven talent at the corner position, but it’s shaping up to be a fun year for the position group.

The six corners I think the Redskins are going to carry are as follows. Josh Norman, Quinton Dunbar, Fabian Moreau, Orlando Scandrick, Joshua Holsey, and Greg Stroman. The first three are locks. Scandrick was signed to provide veteran depth and may end up being the starting nickel back. So, he’s probably a lock too.

As for Holsey and Stroman, both figure to make the roster. Holsey is a favorite of the coaching staff and is regarded as a smart, hard-working player. Meanwhile, Stroman is coming off a very good college career and was recruited to Virginia Tech by current Redskins defensive backs coach Torrian Gray. That connection, plus his abilities as a punt returner, will earn him a roster spot.

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In terms of impact players, the Redskins have one in Norman. He’s coming off a down year, but he dealt with a nasty rib/lung injury that ensured he wasn’t 100 percent for most of the season. When fully healthy, he should continue to be solid in coverage and provide a big, physical defensive back for the squad.

The other two who could emerge as big impact guys are Dunbar and Moreau. I’m high on Dunbar, as the former receiver has improved in each of his seasons at the corner position. He could become a strong No. 2 corner and be an upgrade over Bashaud Breeland. He also has good size, length, and speed, so he could grow into the role and become a really good corner.

As for Moreau, he is an excellent athlete with great speed and ball skills. That should give him a chance to become a starter on the outside or make him a good nickel. With a good second season, he could force the Redskins to move on from Norman and take over the starting role from the veteran. That would likely be a financially motivated decision, but it’s still possible.

Even the potential practice squaders, undrafted free agents Danny Johnson and Ranthony Texada, are good players. If the Redskins weren’t so loaded up on young talent at corner, either of those guys would be in the mix to make the roster, though I have Johnson ranked slightly ahead of Texada right now.

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