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Redskins 53-man roster prediction after preseason Week 2 vs. Jets

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 15: Jamison Crowder #80 of the Washington Redskins runs after a catch in the first quarter of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at FedEx Field on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins won 26-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 15: Jamison Crowder #80 of the Washington Redskins runs after a catch in the first quarter of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at FedEx Field on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins won 26-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 19: Samaje Perine #32 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with Chase Roullier #73 of the Washington Redskins after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 19: Samaje Perine #32 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with Chase Roullier #73 of the Washington Redskins after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

Running Back (5)

Keeping: Samaje Perine, Rob Kelley, Chris Thompson, Kapri Bibbs, Byron Marshall

Notable Cut: Martez Carter

I decided to go with five RBs for this roster projection just because the Redskins may try to keep extra depth in wake of the injuries affecting their roster. If the Redskins want to keep five players to help alleviate the loss of Derrius Guice, it is going to take a lot for them to do that.

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Some will say that the team is so deep all across the roster, but realistically, they can’t afford to go five-deep at RB. They would have to skimp out on either a receiver, offensive lineman, or cornerback, and carry less depth at any of those positions would be far from ideal. However, as it stands, their depth is solid across the board, so carrying an extra running back to start the season wouldn’t be a bad move.

Perine and Kelley are still battling for the starting job with the squad, but my money is still on Perine to earn it if not by the preseason’s end, then very early on in the season. He just has better vision and more athleticism than Kelley, who seems to be more of a traditional between-the-tackles ground and pound guy. That’s ideal for goal-line and short yardage situations, but as a starter, that could cause him to get banged up quickly, as he was last season.

Meanwhile, the other two backs on the roster are receiving backs that will play a major role in the offense. Thompson was a dynamic playmaker last season and though he may take some time to recover from the broken leg he suffered last year against the Saints, he should still be able to make some plays for the team.

And behind him, the team seems likely to keep a receiving-based backup to help fill in if Thompson isn’t 100 percent to start the season. Marshall and Bibbs are currently fighting for that role, but Bibbs has the advantage after outperforming Marshall in preseason Week 2. Marshall probably would have made the roster if not for his recent ankle injury, so he made the cut as the 53rd man in this projection. It’s not a guarantee that the Redskins will keep five backs, but it certainly is a possibility.

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