Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Redskins 53-man roster projection after Week 3 of preseason

By Ian Cummings

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 24: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass against the Denver Broncos in the first half during a preseason game at FedExField on August 24, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 24: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass against the Denver Broncos in the first half during a preseason game at FedExField on August 24, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 12
Next
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) /

Tight End (4)

Keeping: Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, Jeremy Sprinkle, J.P. Holtz

Notable Cuts: None

Part of the decision to cap the Redskins’ running back stable at four players stems from this: The Redskins could very well carry four tight ends this year.

It’s a possibility that hasn’t often been addressed with much certainty this offseason. The combination of Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, and Jeremy Sprinkle creates a more than competent unit, and no one beyond the top three has impressed until recently.

The player who impressed was 2016 undrafted free agent J.P. Holtz.

It was the role that the Redskins used Holtz in on Friday that proved to be very intriguing. It’s well-documented that Adrian Peterson does best when he has a lead blocker at full back clearing lanes for him. Holtz, a tight end, lined up at full back on several occasions Friday night, and he proved himself to be a very capable blocker out of the backfield. On more than one occasion, his blocks led to Peterson making it through the first level.

Yes, it’s only one game. But sometimes, that’s all it takes. The Redskins have experimented with the full back role all offseason. At first, they carried a full-time full back in Elijah Wellman, but now, it appears as if they’ve found a capable FB-TE hybrid in J.P. Holtz, not dissimilar to Niles Paul. Holtz should get plenty of action in Week 4, but if first impressions count for anything in this league, he has a decent chance at making the roster.

Home/Commanders News