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Redskins: 3 standout players from preseason Week 3 vs. Broncos

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 24: Running back Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins rushes past linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos in the first quarter during a preseason game at FedExField on August 24, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 24: Running back Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins rushes past linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos in the first quarter during a preseason game at FedExField on August 24, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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BLACKSBURG, VA – OCTOBER 3: Tight end J.P. Holtz #86 of the Pittsburgh Panthers celebrates his touchdown reception with full back George Aston #35 in the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium on October 3, 2015 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA – OCTOBER 3: Tight end J.P. Holtz #86 of the Pittsburgh Panthers celebrates his touchdown reception with full back George Aston #35 in the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium on October 3, 2015 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /

2. TE J.P. Holtz

Holtz is starting to gain some steam as he battles for a roster spot. He may not have put up numbers as many fans hope to see from standouts, but he played a very important role as a lead blocker.

On the first run of the game, Holtz started as the fullback in the I-formation and had a key block on the seven-yard run. It wasn’t a perfect block by any means, but Holtz was able to momentarily stalemate his opponent and that did enough to let the back hit the hole. Holtz is looking like a very good blocker, and this is the second consecutive week in which he made a solid play.

I recently spoke of Holtz as a potential roster dark horse and said the following of his showing in the second preseason game and chances of making the team.

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"If the team was willing to keep four tight ends, Holtz could be kept as a blocking tight end and fullback. He had an excellent block on Samaje Perine‘s 30-yard run from the second preseason game which you can see here, so he flashed potential. Holtz wouldn’t see a lot of action, but given what he showed in limited action last week, there certainly is the potential for him to find a role with this Redskins squad."

The Redskins may want a fullback for the first time in a while. While Jay Gruden seems unlikely to ever roster a pure fullback, Holtz could be the type of solid blocker and combination player the team needs to have at least a little success in the running game. At the very least, he’s a capable replacement for another former Pittsburgh TE, Manasseh Garner, on the practice squad.

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