For the Redskins, a number of key decisions rest on the horizon.
Throughout the entirety of the offseason, the Washington Redskins have searched for answers at some of their most congested positions. In some areas, they’ve worked their way toward finding clarity. In others, they will be forced to find separation where there might not be any.
Cut day is almost upon us. Leaving Week 3 of preseason with a 1-2 record, the Redskins will face off against the Ravens in their preseason finale, giving most, if not all of the reps to reserves. After that game, the cuts will begin, and at the end, 53 players will be left for the 2018 campaign.
With most of the starting positions locked up, the Redskins aren’t going to make or break their season with any decisions on the roster fringe. That said, there are many talented players with potential that rest inside the bubble. The Redskins would do well to weigh their options, and decide what they want. Is a youth movement edging forth? Or will veteran leadership have its day?
With just one week of preseason left, we can put together a safe bet at what the Redskins’ roster might look like come Week 1 of the regular season. As always, there will be surprises. There will be close battles, and there will be talented players walking away. What might the Redskins’ 53-man roster look like when it’s all said and done? Take a look.
Quarterback (2)
Keeping: Alex Smith, Colt McCoy
Notable Cuts: Kevin Hogan
How the Redskins quarterback position shakes out is ultimately up to Kevin Hogan, but with just one preseason game left to prove himself, he’s running out of opportunities to make his mark.
Alex Smith and Colt McCoy have been presumed roster locks all preseason; Smith for obvious reasons, and McCoy because of the one-year extension he received near the beginning of preseason.
Both quarterbacks surpass Hogan with both polish and experience. Hogan has a good arm and athleticism, but he’s still a very raw product. Over preseason, he’s had several chances to prove he’s progressed, and although he’s had his good moments, consistency hasn’t been as easy to come by.
Hogan will likely get the brunt of the reps in Week 4, but unless he lights up the stat sheet, his fate has already been decided. With a need for added depth elsewhere, the Redskins will likely roll with Smith and McCoy as their two quarterbacks. Hogan could stick around on the practice squad, or the Redskins could cut ties altogether.
Running Back (4)
Keeping: Adrian Peterson, Chris Thompson, Samaje Perine, Kapri Bibbs
Notable Cuts: Rob Kelley, Byron Marshall (Starts on PUP)
It’s been rumored that the Redskins are toying with the idea of keeping five running backs. I personally don’t see it.
There’s just not enough talent to justify keeping five players. Yes, having options helps when there’s no one option that separates from the pack, but five is a bit overkill; two backs will most likely be inactive for each game, until injuries naturally force them into the lineup. With other positions in need of reinforcement, it’s not a risk that the Redskins have to take.
So with only four running backs slated to make the roster, who goes? Adrian Peterson is an obvious lock after his stellar performance on Friday. Even if he fails to replicate that in Week 4, it’s still in the books, and it’s better than what any of the other backs have done. Chris Thompson is the third down back, per usual. Samaje Perine is good depth with change-of-pace ability in his sophomore year, as is journeyman Kapri Bibbs, who’s flashed multiple times this preseason.
This leaves Rob Kelley off the 53-man roster. I’ve been supportive of some aspects of Kelley’s game, and it’s a well known fact that Jay Gruden has a soft spot for the Tulane product. But at some point, tough decisions have to be made. Kelley doesn’t provide as much explosion as other backs. He may have decent special teams and blocking ability, but with a strong performance in Week 4, Bibbs may be able to do enough to take Kelley’s spot.
Part of this prediction is banking on a big day for Bibbs, but it certainly isn’t out of the question. Bibbs has revealed himself to have the most complete blend of speed, power, and receiving ability among Redskins running backs. His well-rounded skill set should entice the Redskins as it is. With a few more flashes, he can find a permanent home.
Wide Receiver (6)
Keeping: Josh Doctson, Paul Richardson, Jamison Crowder, Maurice Harris, Cam Sims, Trey Quinn
Notable Cuts: Brian Quick, Simmie Cobbs
Like most positions, the Redskins’ top receivers are locked in place, but what happens behind them is still up for debate, even after three preseason games and a season-ending injury.
Maurice Harris figures to have the No. 4 position firmly in his grasp after a solid offseason. He hasn’t been available for much of preseason, but the team is confident in his ability. Although gaining separation has been a concern for him thus far in his career, he has a certain reliability that teams want in their reserves.
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Behind Harris, there are only two spots left, with at least four receivers vying for those spots. Darvin Kidsy could enter the race, but as of now, it appears as if Trey Quinn, Cam Sims, Brian Quick, and Simmie Cobbs are fighting for the last two spots.
Unfortunately, this roster battle has been anything but a battle. Quick hasn’t been healthy enough to see the field, and aside from occasional flashes, Quinn and Cobbs have been unspectacular. The player of note in this group is Cam Sims, who’s turned heads with his surprising athletic ability in the preseason. As a former four-star recruit who signed with Alabama, it was known that Sims has natural talent. But he’s shown so far this preseason that he has a great deal of skill, if utilized properly.
At 6-foot-5, Sims has a very imposing frame, and with his high-flying ability and effort with which he runs his routes, he should have a good chance of making the roster at this point. With Sims on, the final choice comes down to Quinn and Quick, with Cobbs a third candidate. In this projection, I chose Quinn.
I value Brian Quick’s experience and his past production, but Trey Quinn has the positional versatility that the Redskins will need from at least one of their backups. The youth movement is observably alive and well in the Redskins’ receiving core. Time will tell if it’s a formula for success.
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.
Offensive Line (9)
Keeping: Trent Williams, Shawn Lauvao, Chase Roullier, Brandon Scherff, Morgan Moses, Ty Nsekhe, Tony Bergstrom, Geron Christian, Tyler Catalina
Notable Cuts: Demetrius Rhaney, Kyle Kalis
The offensive line is quietly an area of concern for the Redskins. The starters are solid. Trent Williams and Brandon Scherff require no introduction. Morgan Moses is a solid player in his own right. Shawn Lauvao, if healthy, is a capable left guard, and Chase Roullier has upside as the team’s starter at center.
The Redskins’ starters are not the concern. What is the concern is the depth, or lack thereof, behind them.
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Washington’s best depth offensive lineman is Ty Nsekhe, a 34-year old tackle who could fall off the proverbial cliff at any moment. At tackle, Geron Christian joins him as a raw, unfinished product. He’s underwhelmed this preseason, and should he see extensive regular season snaps, the Redskins will be in trouble.
On the interior, the Redskins have Tony Bergstrom and Tyler Catalina. Bergstrom is decent as a backup lineman. He has experience and the versatility to play both center and guard, and when asked to start last season, he held his own. Catalina, meanwhile, is a large guard with upside, but he has yet to gain the functional strength to be anything more than a reserve player. The only thing that makes him a roster inclusion over Kyle Kalis is his ability to play tackle as well.
No team in the NFL wants their backup linemen to play, but it’s worth noting that the Redskins have lots of questions there anyway. Your backups can only be so good before they become starters; they’re all backups for a reason. But the Redskins’ backups are particularly concerning for the specific set and breadth of questions they bring to the table. The injuries last season only make matters worse.
Defensive Line (6)
Keeping: Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Matt Ioannidis, Anthony Lanier, Tim Settle, Ziggy Hood
Notable Cuts: Phil Taylor, Stacy McGee (Starts on PUP)
It’s a refreshing change to see that the Redskins’ defensive line has healthy depth. The position that has so often been the weakest link is now the strongest unit on the team, with players such as Anthony Lanier, Tim Settle, and Ziggy Hood lining up as the No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6 linemen.
It would be possible to keep seven, but it’s ultimately unlikely, at least after initial cuts. The seventh lineman would likely be Phil Taylor who is strictly a nose tackle. After drafting Daron Payne and Tim Settle, the Redskins have two rookies who can effectively play the position in base 3-4, and once he comes off of the PUP list, Stacy McGee is capable in that role as well. Taylor is a good story, but he’s not making the final roster.
Speaking of McGee, it’s likely that the 2017 free agent acquisition will return from the PUP list at some point. When he does, the Redskins will need to cut someone to free up that space, unless an injury occurs to make the task easier.
Outside Linebacker (4)
Keeping: Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith, Pernell McPhee, Ryan Anderson
Notable Cuts: Pete Robertson, Vontae Diggs
Outside linebacker is an interesting position for the Redskins. I’m not overly confident in the depth that currently resides there; Ryan Anderson still concerns me, and Pernell McPhee, for his experience and reliability, is limited as a pass rusher.
Nevertheless, the Redskins are more or less stuck with what they have here. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s just a fact.
Pete Robertson and Vontae Diggs have both flashed this preseason, and as it stands, Washington could end up keeping one of the two. Robertson is more likely, given his ability to play special teams. But because of all the positions in need of depth elsewhere, the Redskins are likely to pass on two fringe players who’ve offered little in terms of consistency. Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith are your starters. Pernell McPhee and Ryan Anderson are the backups. Case closed.
Inside Linebacker (5)
Keeping: Zach Brown, Mason Foster, Josh Harvey-Clemons, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Martrell Spaight
Notable Cuts: Zach Vigil
There’s no two ways about it: The Redskins will be forced to part ways with a talented player at inside linebacker when final cuts come around. It’s just a matter of who the unlucky person is.
Zach Brown and Mason Foster are obvious locks to make the roster. Brown shined in his first season with the team last year, and after signing a multi-year extension, he’ll be looking to make the most out of his newfound stability. He and Foster form an above-average starting duo, at the least.
Behind those two, Josh Harvey-Clemons seems to be the front runner for the primary backup job. Harvey-Clemons has only played in one preseason game, but throughout the offseason, he’s been the first one given the call in relief of starters, and with up and down preseason performances from players like Shaun Dion Hamilton and Martrell Spaight, that shouldn’t change.
Speaking of the latter two players, sixth-round rookie Shaun Dion Hamilton has impressed. Like all rookies, he hasn’t been perfect, but he clearly has the speed and intangibles to contribute, as long as he can stay healthy. His inclusion leaves one spot available for either Zach Vigil or Martrell Spaight to take, and in this prediction, I have Spaight earning the nod.
It’s not so much a knock on Vigil as it is an acknowledgement of what Spaight has going for him. At this point, we know Spaight is limited in some areas, mainly coverage. But he’s a thumper in run defense, he’s looked solid as a tackler this preseason, and being a special teams captain holds weight in this close race. He’s also two and a half years younger than Vigil. He might not stay after this year, as his rookie deal expires, but he seems to be the better candidate for that last spot. With two promising coverage linebackers in Harvey-Clemons and Hamilton, the Redskins can afford to gamble on Spaight this year.
Cornerback (6)
Keeping: Josh Norman, Quinton Dunbar, Fabian Moreau, Greg Stroman, Danny Johnson, Adonis Alexander
Notable Cuts: Ranthony Texada, Prince Charles Iworah
Once thought to be one of the more enticing positions on the Redskins’ roster, the release of Orlando Scandrick has cleared things up a great deal.
Josh Norman, Quinton Dunbar, and Fabian Moreau appear to be the surefire starters for 2018, and although they had a rough outing as a unit against Denver, one preseason showing should not be a cause for heightened concern.
Behind the top three players, there are five more roster hopefuls who’ve separated themselves as contenders, to varying degrees. Ranthony Texada and Prince Charles Iworah remain on the roster. Iworah, in particular, has flashed with multiple plays on the ball this preseason. Neither, however, will make the roster, and that’s because of the rookies ahead of them.
Greg Stroman figures to have a backup spot in the wraps; he’s a natural cover man, and although his size limits him in some respects, he has the ability to be a decent backup right away, and his ability on punt returns also helps his case. Behind him, Danny Johnson has flashed all offseason, and at this point, it would be hard to imagine the Redskins letting him go. Likewise, the Redskins are high on Adonis Alexander’s potential. They seem set on keeping him with Torrian Gray for at least a year.
The Redskins’ cornerback group holds plenty of intrigue. This is a group that could be very good by the end of the season, or their performance could force Washington to invest in another early-round cornerback next spring. It’s all on the table. But for unproven players to succeed, they must first be given an opportunity.
Safety (4)
Keeping: Montae Nicholson, D.J. Swearinger, Deshazor Everett, Troy Apke
Notable Cuts: Kenny Ladler, Fish Smithson
It’s hard to keep Kenny Ladler and Fish Smithson off the 53-man roster, but at this point, it doesn’t seem like there are many alternatives.
The Redskins feel confident with their starters, Montae Nicholson and D.J. Swearinger, and while both have looked a little rusty in preseason, both have showcased their starting talent.
The Redskins also seem to be confident with Deshazor Everett and Troy Apke as their second-team safety duo. Apke, with his 4.32 speed, has flashed impressive range on the field. He’s shown room for improvement with his tackling and awareness, but the Redskins will be patient with him, for the sake of developing his talent. Everett, meanwhile, is a safe, experienced option who also has special teams ability. Once viewed as a player on the bubble, Everett has since quieted those concerns.
It feels like it shouldn’t be this simple for the Redskins safety group, but it is. Unless the Redskins decide to keep five, this is how it will be. If they decide to keep five, Kenny Ladler is more likely than Fish Smithson to get the nod; in three preseason games, Ladler has logged 14 tackles, and he led the team in Week 1. Smithson showed promise last year, but he has yet to build off of that this preseason. More likely than not, the Redskins roll with four safeties, but it’s impossible to rule out a Stefan McClure-esque inclusion at this point.
Specialists (3)
Keeping: Dustin Hopkins, Tress Way, Nick Sundberg
Notable Cuts: None
Remember when the Redskins signed another punter? Good times.
Deep down, we all knew that Sam Irwin-Hill wasn’t going to unseat Tress Way as the team’s punter. Way has experience, just like Hopkins and Sundberg, and this preseason, they’ve all been very efficient. Way is downing his punts with accuracy, and Hopkins has missed just one field goal attempt, going seven for eight on three-point tries and four for four on extra points.
To put it simply, no changes have been made to the Redskins’ specialist group, and no changes will be made. Sorry, Nick Rose truthers.
After three weeks of preseason play, we can begin to piece together what the Redskins final roster might look like at the start of the 2018 regular season. But in truth, no one knows what will happen with ultimate precision. There will always be surprises. What do the Redskins have in store this year? In time, we’ll have the answer.