Redskins 53-man roster projection 1.0: Does Trent Williams’ holdout muddy the waters at tackle?
Wide Receivers (6)
Paul Richardson, Josh Doctson, Trey Quinn, Terry McLaurin, Kelvin Harmon, and Cam Sims
The receiver position is simultaneously one of the most unsettled positions and the most settled position. It truly is odd how the unit is coming together.
While the receiver competition was expected to be wide open coming into the season, early favorites have certainly emerged. In terms of veterans, it was always a foregone conclusion that Richardson would be back after completing the first year of a five-year deal he signed with the Redskins. While Doctson’s status was less certain, it seems that the team will be giving the former first-round pick a fourth, and final, chance to prove himself.
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Beyond that, the competition is pretty open. But at the moment, Quinn seems to have the starting slot job locked up. He looked good in limited action last season but struggled to stay on the field. If he can stay healthy, he should prove to be a consistent, reliable option.
For the backups on the depth chart, it seems that third-round pick McLaurin and sixth-round pick Harmon have the inside edge to make it. McLaurin has chemistry with Dwayne Haskins and is one of the best special teamers in the draft. So, he will have many roles to play both on offense and that unit.
As for Harmon, many had him pegged as a Day 2 pick, but he slipped in the draft and the Redskins picked him up. There was a report regarding why Harmon fell to the Redskins, but it was still strange. He has the upside needed to develop into a starter, and it was strange to see him fall so far.
Finally, Sims edged out other fringe roster candidates thanks to the solid display he had last preseason and the positive buzz he has generated in minicamp this year. Sims has really good size (6-foot-3) and should have a chance to develop into a playmaker. If Doctson continues to struggle as a starter, Sims could be given a chance to replace him in the X role.
There are other players that could compete for spots including Robert Davis, T.J. Rahming, and special teams ace Jehu Chesson. For the time being though, the six players chosen here appear to be inside the bubble.