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Redskins 53-man roster projection: Pre-preseason Week 1 vs. Browns

By Russell Shavatt

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 7: Guard Gabe Jackson #66 and tackle Donald Penn #72 of the Oakland Raiders prepare to block on a play against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter on December 7, 2014 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 24-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 7: Guard Gabe Jackson #66 and tackle Donald Penn #72 of the Oakland Raiders prepare to block on a play against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter on December 7, 2014 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 24-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 22: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys gets tackled by Quinton Dunbar #23 of the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 22, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 22: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys gets tackled by Quinton Dunbar #23 of the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 22, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

Cornerback (6)

Josh Norman, Quinton Dunbar, Greg Stroman, Fabian Moreau, Dominique Rodgers Cromartie, Jimmy Moreland

When the Redskins lineup to play the Eagles in Week 1, the two starting cornerbacks to step on the field will most likely be Norman and Dunbar.  The combination of Stroman, DRC, Moreau, and Moreland will be battle in camp to prove who is worthy of getting playing time on game day.  The player that is receiving all of the training camp headlines is “the people’s cornerback,” Jimmy Moreland.  The ability to play special teams effectively will also determine roster positioning in this highly contested battle.

Norman enters his fourth year with the Redskins and is the highest-paid player on defense.  Norman has produced in his time with the team, but not in the way that was hoped for him coming off a Pro Bowl and All-Pro year with the Carolina Panthers in 2015.

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Norman’s best year as a member of the burgundy and gold came in his first year with the team in 2016, when he racked up 67 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 19 passes defensed.  After having such a good year in 2016, Norman only had a combined total of 18 passes defensed in 2017 and 2018.  Norman must prove his worth in the new year, or he could find himself on the way out due to the need for cap relief.

Moreau had somewhat of a breakout year in 2018 after minimal production in his rookie year.  Coming out of UCLA , Moreau was seen as a player that could be highly productive at the next level.  He fell in the draft due to a torn pectoral muscle but has come on strong as of late.  It wouldn’t be surprising to see Moreau take time away from Norman or Dunbar if either struggles.  Moreau is an explosive athlete, and can be an asset to a secondary that has seen its share of hard times.

Moreland may not have the ideal size and athleticism needed for the corner position just yet, but the former JMU product has anticipation skills that are second to none.  He will need to show that he is able to keep up against better competition than what he faced at JMU, however, the young corner has already impressed at training camp.  He could easily surpass Stroman and DRC for playing time if he is able to learn the defense and pay strict attention to new defensive backs coach Ray Horton.

Players on the outside looking in with this group includes Adonis Alexander, Deion Harris, and DJ White.  While Alexander was taken high in the 2018 Supplemental Draft, he has not been able to translate his size and length to the field.  Alexander is worth keeping on the practice squad for further development if he is not claimed by another team after final cuts.

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