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2018 Washington Redskins: Projected starting lineup heading into training camp

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 29: Outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after sacking quarterback Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at FedEx Field on October 29, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 29: Outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after sacking quarterback Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at FedEx Field on October 29, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Chris Thompson #25 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Chris Thompson #25 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

Offense

Ushering out Kirk Cousins is going to be a huge transition for the Redskins. It’s quite possible that it will pan out very well, but don’t underestimate how long it might take for Alex Smith to get comfortable in the Redskins lineup. Jay Gruden will certainly do everything he can to help Smith adjust to the new system, but there could be growing pains in the preseason and the first couple games of the regular season as both sides feel each other out.

Elsewhere, there are a couple of skill position changes for the Redskins, but they will be bringing back their starting offensive line from last year with one small change. Spencer Long has been replaced by Chase Roullier, but the sixth-rounder from Wyoming showed well as a rookie last year. It would make sense for him to improve in his second year and become a solid starter.

Here’s a look at the projected starting offense for the Redskins in 2018.

More from Riggo's Rag

QB: Alex Smith

RB: Derrius Guice (Rookie)

RB: Chris Thompson

WR: Paul Richardson

WR: Josh Doctson

WR: Jamison Crowder

TE: Jordan Reed

LT: Trent Williams

LG: Shawn Lauvao

C: Chase Roullier

RG: Brandon Scherff

RT: Morgan Moses

For Redskins fans, seeing Shawn Lauvao’s name on this list is uninspiring. Lauvao is entering his fifth year with Washington, and he has been nothing but pedestrian and injury prone. Bill Callahan loves Lauvao’s upside, but it’s a risky bet to have a mediocre 31-year-old with injury problems start at any position, particularly on the offensive line. He needs to avoid getting banged up though, as the Redskins don’t have much offensive line depth behind him.

Elsewhere, I listed Chris Thompson as a starter because he will see a lot of action and the team may not keep a fullback on the roster. Using Thompson in two-back sets with rookie Derrius Guice could help to confuse opposing defenses, so expect to see a bit of that during the season.

Speaking of Guice, he has a very nice skill set, but it’s possible that a guy like Thompson or Samaje Perine may start the year ahead of him on the depth chart. Gruden may want to ease Guice into a full workload, so just expect a lighter usage of Guice in the first two or three weeks of the season.

Finally, Josh Doctson is one player who is entering a make-or-break season. In his second year, but first full year in 2017, the former TCU product had an up-and-down year demonstrating solid possession skills at points, but also struggling to reel in passes. If drops and speed continue to be an issue, then Doctson could find himself losing playing time to guys like Brian Quick, Robert Davis, or Trey Quinn. So, his grip on a starting spot is tenuous at best.

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