The Washington Redskins have 90 men on their roster right now. Eventually, they will have to cut the unit to 53. Here’s a look at how that could go.
We’re finally into the dregs of the NFL offseason. From mid-June until training camp begins, little news will come out of the NFL. There will be minor transactions here and there. And maybe there will be a resolution to something like the Trent Williams holdout. But, for the most part, all will be quiet.
That will include the Redskins. With minicamp wrapping up, the news cycle will slow down and there will be plenty of time for antsy fans to speculate about the team. That’s why I like to call this part of the year “speculation season.”
So, to kick off speculation season, it’s time to take a look at the Redskisn roster. Right now, they have 90 men on the roster. But before the season, they will have to cut down to 53. That won’t happen for quite a bit, but nonetheless, it will happen.
The roster isn’t set by any means, but there are many players that are roster shoo-ins and another group of players that are almost certainly just camp bodies. The drama will come from the players on the roster bubble, as those guys could jockey for position and push roster hopefuls on and off the bubble as the offseason drags along.
It’s still very early in the offseason, but here’s a look at our first Redskins roster projection for the 2019 offseason. This projection also includes predictions for a 10-man practice squad.
Quarterbacks (3)
Dwayne Haskins, Case Keenum, and Colt McCoy
This position group seems solidified, but it’s possible that it may not be. Haskins will be on the roster no matter what after being the 15th overall pick. As for Keenum and McCoy, it seems likely that the duo will be on the roster as well.
However, it is possible that the Redskins could choose to roll with two quarterbacks. They have a fair amount of resources put into these three guys, and it remains to be seen if they’re willing to pay a premium for two backups.
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Because of this, Keenum and McCoy aren’t 100 percent locks to make the roster and could become trade bait, especially if another NFL team loses their starter. Both Keenum and McCoy can start in a pinch. Of course, either being available would likely be contingent on Haskins proving himself and earning the starting job (a big “if” at the moment though Jay Gruden said he will certainly have a chance to do it).
That said, given the team’s trouble finding a third quarterback last season after Alex Smith and McCoy got hurt, keeping all three would likely be the better solution.
Speaking of Smith, he will almost certainly be on the PUP list or IR very early in the offseason. The odds of him returning this year after the catastrophic leg injury he suffered against the Texans. He will look to make a comeback in 2020 if he does try to return to the league.
Josh Woodrum would be the lone cut in the quarterback room. Woodrum played in the AAF, but he has mostly bounced around the NFL as a preseason signal caller for several NFL teams.
Running Backs (4)
Derrius Guice, Adrian Peterson, Chris Thompson, and Samaje Perine
The Redskins have one of the deepest running back groups that they have had in quite some time. That could make the roster battle a little bit difficult, but at the moment, it seems that these four players are the favorites to make the roster.
Guice is obviously a roster shoo-in after being a second-round pick. He missed his rookie season after suffering a torn ACL in the preseason, but he was expected to be the team’s workhorse. He may not start the season as a workhorse this year, but if all goes well, he will be the team’s lead back for the next few years.
Peterson was brought back after a good season in relief of Guice. The 34-year-old will probably make the roster after inking a two-year, $5 million contract in the offseason. That price tag will make him a top rotational option.
Thompson also seems probable to make the roster. The receiving back is one of the team’s most dynamic players when healthy, but he has struggled to stay on the field in recent seasons. He is undersized, but he will stick around as the third-down back.
As for Perine, he is the only member of this group that isn’t a roster shoo-in. That said, Gruden has been praising Perine quite a bit this offseason, so it seems that he is en route to winning the fourth RB spot. Perine has a lot of upside and should have been given more opportunities last season with Guice out. He’s still just 24 and if he showcases upside in the preseason, as expected, he will solidify his role on the roster.
There is one glaring omission from in the running back room here, and that’s fourth-round pick, Bryce Love. I’m expecting that Love, who tore his ACL late last season at Stanford, will begin the season on the PUP list. So, he won’t need a spot on the 53-man roster. He may take this season as a redshirt year of sorts, but he could also rejoin the roster after six weeks, especially if the team loses a back to an injury.
Other cuts here include Byron Marshall, a backup receiving back who has been mediocre in limited action, and Craig Reynolds, an undrafted free agent fighting for a practice squad spot.
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.
Tight Ends (3)
Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, and Jeremy Sprinkle
The Redskins actually have a lot of interesting depth at the tight end position. But for the time being, these three seem likely to make the roster.
Reed will continue on as the team’s top tight end. Though he has struggled with injury issues in recent seasons, he is still a solid tight end when on the field. He’s not the same dynamic playmaker he was before all the injuries, but he can still get the job done.
Davis is a good backup who still is a solid receiver. He’s entering his age-35 season though, so if he slows down, he could become a cap casualty. Still, for the time being, he will probably make the roster.
Sprinkle is entering his third year and has mostly been a blocking tight end. He still has the edge over Matt Flanagan for this spot, though Flanagan has gotten praise from Chris Cooley, but his spot could become tenuous if Flanagan shows better receiving ability.
The wild card here will be if Gruden decides to (finally) keep a fullback/H-back type on the roster. JP Holtz flashed in that role for the team last preseason and spent time on the practice squad and active roster last year. If he impresses again and Gruden wants to operate a run-heavy offense, he could make the cut.
The other option would be to have one of the team’s running backs (probably Perine) operate as the fullback or continue to situationally use edge rusher Ryan Anderson as one. It seems more likely that they would do this, as Gruden tends to hype up the idea of a fullback every offseason before electing not to keep one.
Offensive Tackles (4)
Trent Williams, Morgan Moses, Timon Parris, and Ereck Flowers
Obviously, Williams’ holdout could muddle things a bit here. But at the end of the day, I imagine that one of two things will happen.
The first option is that the Redskins could choose to give him a slight rise to ensure he’s back on the field ahead of training camp. This would be smart for them given how much they need him to have the left side of the offensive line hold up.
The other option would be to wait it out and see if he returns. Odds are that Williams won’t want to miss out on game checks, so he would likely return before the start of the season. That can’t be counted on, but I still have faith that one way or another, Williams will be on the field.
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Meanwhile, the only other roster notes here are who the backups will be. Moses is firmly entrenched as a starter, but behind him, there are questions. Geron Christian figures to be the swing tackle, but he is still recovering from a torn MCL he suffered last year. If he can’t get back up to speed to start the season, he may begin the year on the PUP list. So like Bryce Love, he wouldn’t take up a spot on the 53-man roster until he is ready to return.
Beyond Christian, there are (likely) three tackles that are fighting for one or two spots. Right now, I think that Ereck Flowers and Timon Parris have the edge over Tyler Catalina for the position. Parris has great size and upside, so if he shows improvement, he could be a great option as the fourth tackle.
Flowers has been awful during the spring and didn’t look good in minicamp, so keeping him may seem odd. However, the team is also looking to move him inside to guard. If he can learn the new position and show versatility, he may have a better chance to make the squad than many think. He has been a human turnstile at tackle, but he is the most experienced option on the roster. But if Christian is healthy enough to start the season, I would wager that Flowers won’t make the team. So, hopefully, Christian gets well soon.
The Redskins could certainly look to add depth at tackle as well. They were one of two teams that put in a waiver claim for Desmond Harrison after the Browns waived him and have been cycling through other back-end roster candidates. Don’t be surprised if they aren’t happy with the group and try to add a veteran via free agency or trade for one if a player becomes available.
Interior Offensive Line (5)
Chase Roullier, Brandon Scherff, Wes Martin, Ross Pierschbacher, and Tony Bergstrom
Roullier and Scherff are solidified as the starters at center and right guard for the Redskins. However, left guard is currently up for grabs.
While Ereck Flowers, as mentioned in the previous slide, is going to compete for the job at left guard, he is currently stuck playing tackle. So, that will give the players getting reps at guard the best chance to win the job.
Washington Commanders
Right now, the fourth-round pick, Martin, seems like the favorite to start. A mauler at Indiana, Martin would certainly be an upgrade in the run game and the 6-foot-3, 310-pound man already has an NFL-ready frame. He’s already an upgrade over what the team had at the position last year by default, and hopefully, he can become a solid starter to help the offensive line progress.
The battle for backup spots on the interior will surely be intriguing as well. Pierschbacher was a fifth-round pick out of Alabama who has a lot of experience starting at center. He should be versatile enough to play all along the interior, so that will give him a boost.
For the final spot on the offensive line, I was torn between Bergstrom or Casey Dunn. Though Bergstrom turns 33 in August, Gruden has shown a willingness to trust him as a center and a guard. That versatility and his proven ability as a decent backup likely gives him the nod over guys like Dunn and Zac Kerin.
Defensive Line (6)
Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Matt Ioannidis, Tim Settle, Caleb Brantley, and Ryan Bee
This group is pretty much set in stone. The top five players on the depth chart don’t seem likely to be going anywhere. They are pretty close to being roster locks, though injuries could change things up a bit.
Allen, Payne, and Ioannidis are one of the best three-man fronts in the NFL. They have versatility and are all adept at rushing the passer. Ioannidis played the least snaps of the trio last year, serving mostly as a rotational pass rusher, but the three truly are a fantastic team.
Settle and Brantley are both former late-round picks with upside. Settle is a run stuffer who can get some heat on opposing quarterbacks while Brantley’s best tools are his pass rushing abilities. They are both young and could become fierce rotational weapons, especially with Stacy McGee now gone.
The question now becomes, will the team keep a sixth defensive lineman? And if so, who? My money is on undrafted rookie Ryan Bee at the moment. The Marshall product has a nice 6-foot-7 frame and was a consistent producer in college logging at least four sacks in each of the four seasons he played. Jim Tomsula may like the tools he has and could opt to bring him along as a project player who won’t be active on game days but could become quality depth.
For more on why I like Bee, check out this undrafted free agent profile about his skill set.
Edge Rushers (4)
Ryan Kerrigan, Montez Sweat, Ryan Anderson, and Jordan Brailford
The addition of Montez Sweat will make a huge difference here. Sweat was one of my favorite players in this draft class, and if he hadn’t been misdiagnosed with a heart condition at the NFL Combine, there’s a chance that he could have been a top 10 pick. At the very least, he would have gone in the first half of the first round.
Instead, the Redskins ended up trading back into the first round and snagged Sweat. He will be a more-than-capable replacement for the departed Preston Smith, as he has the same requisite length but comes with even better athletic abilities and strength. Across from the ever-faithful and productive Kerrigan, Sweat should have a chance to notch double-digit sacks.
Beyond Sweat, Anderson is the only proven depth. He played well last season as a rotational edge setter and notched a couple of sacks. He will continue to provide solid run support and in the primary backup role, he could continue to improve and generate more pressure with strength-based moves.
After Anderson, it’s anyone’s guess as to who the fourth edge rusher will be. The team seemingly likes Cassanova McKinzy as a speed-based rusher — they had him active over Pernell McPhee at times last season — but I have Brailford getting the nod.
The seventh-round pick out of Oklahoma State was a well-rounded edge player who notched 10 sacks as a senior. He has an average 6-foot-3, 252-pound frame but is a solid athelte. He could win with his motor, so that will make him an appealing depth option.
Linebackers (5)
Jon Bostic, Mason Foster, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Josh Harvey-Clemons, and Cole Holcomb
This group could have seen a shakeup after the injury to Reuben Foster. However, it seems likely that he will just be replaced by Bostic.
The Redskins signed Bostic to a deal after Foster tore his ACL. And in minicamp, Bostic apparently impressed. This should give him the inside track to make the roster, especially considering that he has started 28 games in the past two seasons.
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It seems that Hamilton was already set up to be a starter at linebacker. The former sixth-round pick out of Alabama started four games last season and showcased a lot of upside. He could rise to the occasion and help to replace Foster this year.
Mason Foster had trouble in coverage last year, but he’s still a more-than-solid two down player and tackler. In a rotational role, he could have a nice impact on the team.
Holcomb and Harvey-Clemons both have good athletic traits and are former late-round picks. The duo should earn backup jobs in coverage and could have a chance to make an impact on special teams.
There are a couple of players that could challenge for spots here as hybrid linebackers. BJ Blunt and Marquis Flowers both can play inside and on the edge, so those two could qualify. I came close to including Flowers on this projection, and I think that the former Patriot has a chance to make the roster with a good preseason, but he just barely missed the cut here.
Cornerbacks (6)
Josh Norman, Quinton Dunbar, Fabian Moreau, Greg Stroman, Jimmy Moreland, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
The corner battle is more about depth this year as it was last year. Norman, Dunbar, and Moreau all seem to be entrenched as the starters, and rightfully so.
There’s no question that Norman is overpaid, but he’s still a very solid starter on the outside. Dunbar has shown quite a lot of upside as a starter, but he struggled through a nerve issue in his leg last year. With a full year to get healthy, he should be a good starter and could emerge as the team’s top corner.
As for Moreau, people are a bit quick to write him off in favor of some of the team’s younger options. He wasn’t perfect in his first full season as a starter last year, but he showed flashes of very good performance. Gruden has been complimentary of him so far this offseason, so that should bode well for him.
In the depth battle, Stroman, Moreland, DRC, Adonis Alexander, and Danny Johnson will all fight for spots. I think that Stroman’s performance last year should help him to earn his way onto the roster. Moreland has been a big playmaker in minicamp, so if he can show that ability in training camp and the preseason, he’ll be a shoo-in as well.
DRC is a bit of a wild card. He retired midway through last season with the Raiders but if he is truly committed to playing, he could be a versatile weapon for the ‘Skins. And make no mistake. The team wants to have another veteran in the secondary. They wanted one last year, which is why they signed Orlando Scandrick. He just didn’t perform well enough to make the roster. DRC might be able to do what Scandrick couldn’t.
Alexander has a great frame and a lot of upside, but he hasn’t done much at minicamp and didn’t make a lot of waves last season. Unless he shows something in training camp, he could find himself getting cut. Johnson showed ability as a nickel back and kick returner, but Moreland may have a chance to overtake him.
Safeties (4)
Landon Collins, Montae Nicholson, Deshazor Everett, and Troy Apke
The safety position is one of the weakest ones on the roster for the Redskins. Outside of their big-ticket free agent acquisition, Collins, they don’t have a lot of proven options at the position.
Nicholson is a player that still has upside, and it looks like he will start next to Collins moving forward. Nicholson was really good as a rookie and it made many excited about his future. However, last year, he struggled through a sophomore slump and was eventually benched in favor of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Nicholson was also arrested late in the season and the Redskins suspended him for the final two games as a result.
With Clinton-Dix gone, the 23-year-old Nicholson will get a chance to prove himself again and will probably start. He still has a ton of upside, so he could easily surprise this year. That’s what makes him one of the more underappreciated players on the Washington roster.
Beyond Nicholson’s upside, the cupboard is relatively bare for the ‘Skins. Everett is a very good backup and a special teams ace. However, if he is relied on as more than a spot starter, he can run into a bit of trouble in coverage. Meanwhile, Apke is an athletic marvel and a former fourth-round pick, but he was extremely raw coming into the league. Many viewed Apke as a late-round upside pick, so the Redskins certainly reached for him.
Still, the Redskins aren’t exactly flush with other options to replace Apke. Undrafted free agent JoJo McIntosh could make a case for the roster, but he makes more sense as a practice squad candidate. Gruden has praised Jeremy Reaves during camp, but will he have as much upside, particularly on special teams as Apke? It remains to be seen.
For the moment, this seems to be the four-man group at safety. If anything changes, it will likely be related to the status of Apke.
Specialists (3)
Dustin Hopkins, Tress Way, and Nick Sundberg
I don’t see a reason that anything needs to change here. Hopkins is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. He made 26-of-29 field goals and made 4-of-5 attempted from 50-plus yards. He had struggled immensely from that range previously (5-for-13 before last season) so it seems that he is finally improving and at just 28, he could be hitting his prime.
Meanwhile, Way is in the same boat as Hopkins. He is coming off a phenomenal year that saw him average 45.3 yards per punt. Even more remarkably, he downed 41 punts inside the 20-yard line, a league-high, yet didn’t have a single touchback. Way is one of the best punters in the league, and the ‘Skins have little incentive to move on from the 29-year-old.
There may be a bit more competition at the long snapper position, as Andrew East played well last season when Sundberg went down with an injury. However, Sundberg is entering his 10th year with the team and is considered to be a solid snapper and a good teammate. So, he still possesses the edge, though East will be the first man the Redskins call if injuries strike again for Sundberg.
Barring a surprise or an injury, these will be the three specialists on the Washington roster to start the 2019 season.
Practice Squad (10)
DL JoJo Wicker, S JoJo McIntosh, TE Donald Parham, TE Matt Flanagan, WR Robert Davis, LB Cassanova McKinzy, LB BJ Blunt, C Casey Dunn, CB Adonis Alexander, CB Danny Johnson
It’s always hard to pick the practice squad given that a handful of these players could certainly challenge for roles on the active roster. But, if they don’t make it, going on the practice squad would make sense.
On the defensive line, Wicker has a lot of upside and he could have a chance to make the roster over Ryan Bee. But, for now, he makes the practice squad. Wicker is entering his second season with the team and Jim Tomsula could see developmental potential there.
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At tight end, Flanagan has received praise from Chris Cooley and could be a solid No. 3 tight end with future backup potential. Meanwhile, Parham signed with Washington after being waived by the Lions. The undrafted 6-foot-8 target could be a slot mismatch but will need to add weight if he wants to be effective.
At receiver, I went with the uber-athletic Robert Davis, but T.J. Rahming could also get consideration. He was solid at Duke and he has great speed, so he could have a chance to make stay on the squad. If Davis got claimed, Rahming would be the pick here.
McKinzy and Dunn both spent time on the active roster last year, but McKinzy saw sparing action while Dunn was moved to the practice squad midway through the season. Both have a chance to make the 53-man roster this Fall, but they will be facing competition for some of the team’s younger players.
Blunt is an interesting hybrid middle linebacker/edge player that’s a bit undersized. The Redskins may not be able to fit him on the roster, but he is the perfect candidate for a practice squad spot.
And, finally, Alexander and Johnson may get squeezed out of the final roster, but both should have a chance to make the practice squad. Johnson showed upside as a kick returner and backup nickel last year while Alexander has length and potential, but hasn’t shown much at the NFL level yet. Alexander has the look of a solid corner, so he could get claimed if waived. Still, the ‘Skins may be willing to take that risk given that he couldn’t get on the field in minicamp.
If Alexander does get claimed, then the aforementioned Rahming would likely replace him in this projection.