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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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LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 04: Trent Williams #71 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after beating the Philadelphia Eagles 23-20 at FedExField on October 4, 2015 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Evan Habeeb/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 04: Trent Williams #71 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after beating the Philadelphia Eagles 23-20 at FedExField on October 4, 2015 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Evan Habeeb/Getty Images) /

Offensive Line (9)

Trent Williams, Morgan Moses, Donald Penn, Geron Christian, Chase Roullier, Brandon Scherff, Hugh Thornton, Wes Martin, Ross Pierschbacher

While the Redskins offensive line is not the deepest, it certainly does have young talent.  I project Williams and Moses to be the starting tackles, Scherff and Thornton to start at guard, and the dependable Roullier to start at center.  Obviously, the biggest concern for this team at this time is the status of Trent Williams.

Penn and Thornton were recently signed to the team, replacing Tyler Catalina and Casey Dunn.  While Thornton does not have recent game experience due to injuries, Penn was signed to the team for insurance on Trent Williams.  Penn is entering his 13th-year in the NFL, and is already familiar of the offense because of his time playing for Jon Gruden who runs a similar offense to his brother Jay.

Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders /

Washington Commanders

Penn has struggled somewhat as he is later in his career, but he is more than capable of taking over for the aforementioned Williams for a year.  The Redskins must consider drafting Williams’ replacement in the 2020 NFL Draft.  That is, unless the Redskins can convince their star left tackle to return at some point in the 2019 season.

Moses and Scherff return to the right side of the offensive line.  These players are familiar with each other as they have played together since Scherff was drafted in 2015.  Scherff will need to prove he is ready to come back from injury, and Moses will need to show that he can cut back on penalties as he committed 16 of them in 2018.

Martin and Pierschbacher were drafted in the later rounds of the 2019 draft, but both should be able to serve as capable back-ups until they are needed.  Martin does indeed have the size and strength needed to contribute at guard at this moment, but will have to show offensive line coach Bill Callahan that he is mentally ready to play.

Players on the outside looking in include Ereck Flowers, Tony Bergstrom, and Timon Parris.  Flowers, in particular, should be cut as there will not be enough room on the roster to keep him.  It would not be preferable for the Redskins to give up on recent draft picks, including Geron Christian, in favor of the former New York Giants first-round bust.

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