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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 – SEPTEMBER 10: Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Redskins celebrates against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second half at FedExField on September 10, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 10: Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Redskins celebrates against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second half at FedExField on September 10, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Edge Rusher (5)

Ryan Kerrigan, Montez Sweat, Ryan Anderson, Cassanova McKinzy, Jordan Brailford

By far my favorite position group, the edge rushers in the Redskins 3-4 defense have a high ceiling heading into the new year.  Returning is Kerrigan, Anderson, and to a limited extent, McKinzy.  New to the team via the draft are Sweat and Brailford.

Kerrigan is the definition of what it means to be a core Redskins.  Entering his ninth year in the NFL, the typically reliable Kerrigan has done nothing but quietly produce since being drafted out of Purdue.  He has a career 84.5 sacks and has tallied 13.0 sacks in each of the past two seasons.  He will need to improve in setting the edge against the run.

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    • Drafted in the first round of the 2019 draft out of Mississippi State, Sweat has all the tools to become a superstar in the NFL.  It has been mentioned many times that he could be the next Julius Peppers.  His size, speed, and uncanny athletic ability are second to none.  He will be asked to replace ex-Redskin Preston Smith who left in free agency for the Green Bay Packers.  While Smith lacked the ability to produce sacks, Sweat should have no problem finishing when given the opportunity.  He currently has the sixth-best odds to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.

    Anderson will be the primary backup for Kerrigan and Sweat.  This will be a make-or-break year for the former second-round pick out of Alabama.  Anderson flashed at various times throughout the 2018 season, but he must show that he is capable of handling the workload.  His athletic ability is limited at times, but his strength makes him more than formidable against the run.  Anderson seems to be more of a ‘football player’ than an athlete.  Unfortunately for Anderson, he may be more known as being team’s goal-line fullback.

    Brailford and McKinzy round out the top five.  These players will make the final 53-man roster because of draft status and potential.  Drafted out of Oklahoma State, Brailford finished his last season in college with 10 sacks.  While he does not have the size or athletic ability of other teammates at the position, he does have the motor and drive to be a part-time contributor should the need arise.

    McKinzy has a unique ability to use his speed and agility to bend almost parallel to the ground to get around offensive tackles.  He must produce at a high level to hold off other competition at the position.  If McKinzy is to be unseated, his biggest challenge will most likely come from Marquis Flowers.  Marquis Flowers will be the last man out at the position.

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