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Redskins 53-man Roster Projection: Pre-training camp 2018

By Jacob Camenker

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 23: Jordan Reed #86 of the Washington Redskins scores a touchdown that is called back during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 23: Jordan Reed #86 of the Washington Redskins scores a touchdown that is called back during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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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) /

Rush Linebackers (4)

Keeping: Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith, Pernell McPhee, Ryan Anderson

Notable Cut: Alex McCalister

Last season, the Redskins kept five rush linebackers. This year, it might be hard to do that. Last year, the fifth outside linebacker spot went to Chris Carter, who served mostly as a special teams ace. This year, they don’t have anyone who would naturally fill that role.

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Kerrigan and Smith are going to continue to be starters. McPhee will be the primary backup pass rusher, and he could serve as a mentor to Anderson during the season. Anderson was the fourth rush linebacker in 2017, and he seems destined to repeat that role in the upcoming season. This quartet should give the team more than enough depth and production, especially considering how successful they were last season.

As for the cut, McCalister is a dark horse to make an impact here. McCalister plays a hybrid rush linebacker/defensive line role, but if he can prove to be versatile, athletic, and productive, he could earn the job as the fifth guy here who can play on the defensive line occasionally. Still, it seems like the Skins just have too much depth in front of him, as they are carrying 11 guys in the defensive line/EDGE group for this roster projection.

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