In the past several days, the Washington Redskins have made multiple roster moves along the offensive line. This includes waiving Tyler Catalina and Casey Dunn, while signing Donald Penn and Hugh Thornton. The projected 53-man roster for the Redskins has changed.
There are a plethora of players on the Redskins current camp roster that have enough talent and potential, but most will obviously not make the final 53-man roster. Since the start of training camp until now, multiple players have been signed and released by the team. The latest players to be signed will surely have an impact in deciding key position battles that will shape the final roster.
While OL Tyler Catalina, LS Andrew East, RB Elijah Wellman, and C Casey Dunn have been waived by the team, entering the fray within the past several days was OT Donald Penn, G Hugh Thornton, CB DJ White, LB Garrett Sickels, and OL Corey Robinson.
Penn specifically was signed to the roster due to the troubling Trent Williams holdout that has lasted into training camp. The veteran left tackle and seven-time Pro Bowl player has reportedly told sources that he does not plan to play for the team again. However, Jay Gruden doubts that the team is in the process of trying to trade him.
With the recent changes to the team, and particular players reportedly impressing in training camp, let’s take a look at the Redskins new 53-man roster ahead of their preseason Week 1 matchup with the Cleveland Browns.
Quarterback (3)
Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins, Colt McCoy
The Redskins will most assuredly keep three quarterbacks on the roster after having to sign journeymen quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Josh Johnson after injuries to Alex Smith and Colt McCoy last year.
Keeping three quarterbacks on the active roster could mean bad news for another player on the roster bubble, but having to choose between Johnson and Sanchez played a role in the Redskins missing the playoffs after starting the season strong. Gruden has stated that all three quarterbacks at camp are in competition in order to decide the starter for Week 1.
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Keenum should get the start in Week 1 after being acquired from the Denver Broncos via a trade in the off-season. Last year, the veteran quarterback had a tumultuous season with Denver, but he had tremendous success with the Minnesota Vikings in 2017. Keenum led the Vikings to the NFC championship game where the team lost to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Keenum must return to form, and show well in training camp if he is to get the nod to start Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Keep an eye on his ability to protect the ball early in the season. If turnovers become an issue, Haskins could see the field quicker than expected.
Haskins, the Redskins 15th overall selection in the first round of the 2019 draft, should vie for playing time if Keenum falters during the season. The Redskins will face a tough schedule in the early part of the season to include games against the Eagles, Cowboys, Bears, Giants, Patriots, and Dolphins. If the team plays poorly, Jay Gruden will have no choice but to put in the rookie from Ohio State. The biggest question facing Haskins remains, will he be ready? He was only the full-time starter at Ohio State for one year before being drafted into the NFL.
McCoy is entering his sixth year with the team. While he knows Jay Gruden’s offense better than the other two quarterbacks, he has been passed over in previous seasons when the starting job has become available to the likes of Kirk Cousins and Alex Smith.
McCoy will provide adequate depth at the position if the other two players face injury, or if Haskins struggles when given the opportunity. His best season with the club came in 2014 when he started four games, and finished with 1,057 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Colt McCoy tends to struggle with turnovers, arm strength, and maintaining the ability to stay healthy.
Running Back (4)
Derrius Guice, Adrian Peterson, Chris Thompson, Samaje Perine
The Redskins running back situation is one that seems strong on paper. The ability to stay healthy will be a major concern with this group. The team should start Guice as the primary back, and mix in Peterson when necessary. The third-down back will remain Thompson who is coming off his own injury. However, Bryce Love could step in and compete for playing time later in the season if he is ready to be activated from the NFI list. Love was dynamic with the ball in his hands at Stanford.
The ageless Peterson was signed prior to Week 1 of the 2018 season, as Guice tore his ACL in his first preseason game against the New England Patriots. Peterson finished the regular season playing all 16 games, and amassing 1,042 yards to go with 7 touchdowns running the ball. The 34-year-old back is well past his prime, but the Redskins must keep him fresh by efficiently splitting the workload.
Guice, the Redskins second-round pick out of LSU last year, flashed throughout the 2018 training camp, and the one preseason game he played. Per NFL.com’s Lance Zierlien, coming out of college, Guice was compared to Marshawn Lynch. He mentioned that Guice’s strengths are he is “well-built combining powerful lower body with good overall size,” and that he has a “winning combination of speed, power and balance.” This should bode well for the offense in the current season if he is able to stay healthy.
If Love is activated off the NFI list late in the season, it could mean trouble for Perine long-term. While Perine played in all 16 games in his draft year of 2017, he barely found the field for the team last year, only playing in five games. He would be a prime candidate to be cut or traded if a player at another position makes a better case for a spot on the final 53-man roster.
Shaun Wilson seems to be the player on the outside looking in at this position. He may be a candidate for the practice squad, depending on his ability to impress in the preseason.
Wide Receiver (7)
Paul Richardson, Josh Doctson, Trey Quinn, Terry McLaurin, Kelvin Harmon, Cam Sims, Robert Davis
While keeping seven receivers does seem unlikely, what receiver is going to be cut and have a chance to make it to the practice squad? McLaurin and Harmon are 2019 draft picks, Sims and Quinn made the final 53-man roster in their rookie year of 2018, and Doctson along with Richardson are the only players on the unit with any extensive NFL experience. This group will most likely need the two veterans to carry the load early on for the Redskins offense to thrive.
Richardson has more career receptions, yards, and touchdowns than all of his teammates combined involved in this projection. He must live up to his reported five-year, $40 million free-agent contract that he signed in the 2018 off-season. He is coming off season-ending shoulder surgery but seems to be fully healthy in training camp at this point.
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Jay Gruden has already mentioned that Quinn is primed to be the starting slot receiver. The second-year player out of SMU is ready to take the next step forward after being selected as Mr. Irrelevant in the 2018 draft. Team insiders have noted Quinn’s steady play in training camp, and ability to catch anything and everything thrown his way. Both Quinn and McLaurin have the ability to play special teams effectively which will help their case for roster positioning.
Doctson has already had his fifth-year option declined by the team, but is definitely looking to make his mark in the current season as his chances of continuing his NFL career may depend on it. The former TCU product has freakish athletic ability, but has yet to show it consistently in game action.
Lastly, Davis has all the tools to be a good wide receiver including outstanding height, weight, and speed. He may be the ‘rawest’ prospect in the group, which is why he could potentially be a practice squad candidate. If he shows the ability to produce in the preseason, the Redskins may have to keep seven receivers while making cuts elsewhere.
Players on the outside looking in for this group include Steven Sims Jr., TJ Rahming, and Darvin Kidsy. All of these roster hopefuls should hope to get signed to the practice squad.
Tight End (3)
Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, Jeremy Sprinkle
Reed, Davis, and Sprinkle should see another year together once the 2019 season comes around for the Redskins. The unit’s performance will start and end with the production of Reed. The offense is centered around Reed, who is still the team’s best player on the offensive side of the ball.
Reed had his best season to date in the 2015 season, which is the same year the Redskins last made the playoffs. Last year was a down year for the veteran tight end, as injuries played a role yet again. In training camp, team insiders have raved about Reed who has had a full off-season of health in preparation for the upcoming season. Offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell should do as much as he can to get Reed more involved in the offense, as he was only targeted 84 times. For reference, in his best season, he was targeted an impressive 114 times.
In the 2018 season, Vernon Davis had only 25 receptions on 36 targets. This was the lowest output in his three-years with the team. Like Adrian Peterson, Davis is well past his prime in terms of elite production. He is an adequate fill-in at the position as a pass-catcher, but he still struggles at the point of attack when asked to block. Even though he is 35-years-old, he can still be a spot starter if Reed get’s injured during the season.
Entering his third year with the Redskins, Sprinkle is the biggest tight end of the group. He is not seen as much of a receiving threat like Reed and Davis, but he is asked to block more as Reed and Davis struggle completing that task. Sprinkle is another player shining bright in training camp, so he should be safe heading into the new season.
Matt Flanagan and Donald Parham will be the last men out, and both should be considered for the practice squad. At 6-foot-8, 237 pounds, Parham will be an intriguing prospect to watch going into the preseason.
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.
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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.
Defensive Line (5)
Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Matt Ioannidis, Caleb Brantley, Tim Settle
The Redskins have invested significant draft capital on the defensive line in the past few years, turning a unit that was traditionally a weakness into a strength. This unit is arguably the strongest on the team, and the three starters, in particular, should wreak havoc on most offensive lines.
The only question that needs to be answered is, can Brantley and Settle fill in when necessary to avoid a big drop off in production? The “Alabama Wall,” along with Ioaniddis produced 20.5 out of the team’s 46 sack total in 2018.
Being the veteran of the group, Ioaniddis was signed to a three-year extension for $21.75 million in the off-season due to the outstanding season he had in 2018. He produced 7.5 sacks last season and has shown nothing but improvement since being drafted out of Temple.
Payne showed his elite potential, and ability to dominate, in his rookie year after being taken out of Alabama. He excelled against the run and was exceptional rushing the passer, posting 5.0 sacks. His teammate from Alabama, Jonathan Allen, will be the leader of the defense along with safety Landon Collins.
Brantley is an intriguing prospect in his own right, considering he was compared to All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald coming out of the University of Florida. He struggled to fit in with the team when picked up off waivers from the Cleveland Browns, but defensive line coach Jim Tomsula brings up his name whenever possible as a player to watch.
Entering his second year with the team, Settle has the ability to dominate at the line of scrimmage. While Brantley has more of an ability to rush the passer from the position, Settle has the size and strength to be an asset in stopping the run. Both should show well in the preseason.
Players on the outside looking in include JoJo Wicker and Ryan Bee. Both could potentially be signed to the practice squad.
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.
Inside Linebacker (4)
Jon Bostic, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Cole Holcomb, Josh Harvey-Clemons
With the release of veteran linebacker Mason Foster before the start of training camp, this young but talented group of inside-linebackers for the Redskins will get the opportunity to prove themselves quickly. Bostic is the veteran of this group, but both Hamilton and Holcomb have impressed in training camp. Harvey-Clemons was drafted out of Louisville as a safety, but has transitioned to inside-linebacker with a focus on covering tight ends on passing downs due to his size and length at the position. He has worked on his body since being drafted and is now listed at 6-foot-4, 245 pounds by the team.
The veteran of the group, Bostic, has reportedly shown well in training camp and should start along with Hamilton at the ‘Mike and Moe’ positions in the Redskins 3-4 base defense. He has shown the ability to produce at a high level with the Colts and Steelers, and has played 70 games overall in his career after being selected by the Bears in the second round of the 2013 draft.
Hamilton is another member of the team that was drafted out of Alabama. In his rookie year, he played in all 16 games but started only four. The Redskins inserted him into the lineup for disgruntled stat producer Zach Brown who is now a member of the Eagles. Hamilton does not have ideal speed or athleticism but is instinctual and smart in his role. He should be primed for a breakout season if he can stay healthy.
Holcomb and Harvey-Clemons should be key rotational pieces at the position due to their ideal athleticism. While Bostic and Hamilton might not have the desired sideline to sideline speed, Holcomb and Harvey Clemons can make up for it with their exceptional range. Holcomb has been described by Jay Gruden as having the skill-set to be “great.” The former walk-on at North Carolina has shined bright in training camp.
The player on the outside looking in at inside-linebacker is BJ Blunt, who tends to project as a practice squad player at this time.
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.
Safety (4)
Landon Collins, Montae Nicholson, Deshazor Everett, Troy Apke
The safety position with the Redskins is one to keep track of as training camp advances. Collins and Nicholson should see their names called to start, but the depth at the position is a cause for concern. Everett and Apke will be the primary backups if injuries should occur.
Collins was signed to a lucrative contract in free agency from the division rival New York Giants. Growing up a fan of the late Sean Taylor, Collins has become an instant fan favorite since joining the team. The former Alabama product has a nose for the ball and is arguably the best safety the Redskins have had since the aforementioned Taylor.
Nicholson had several flash plays in his rookie year, but last year was a disaster. Nicholson was benched by the team after Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was acquired via trade from the Green Bay Packers. The former fourth-round pick was also arrested for fighting at a bar near the team’s practice facility in Ashburn, Va late in the 2018 season. With Collins as the primary leader in this group, Nicholson will have a strong mentor to show him the proper way to prepare, and play throughout the season.
Everett is a professional special teams player who should only fill in at safety on a limited basis. He does not have the size or speed to contribute full-time, but Everett has started 11 out of 57 games played in his career as a member of the Redskins.
Apke should make the roster because he is only in his second year after being a fourth-round pick in 2018. Unlike Everett, he has the size and speed to excel at the position. However, he has not been able to show it much on the practice field, or in the preseason games he played in during his rookie year.
I would not be surprised to see Apke cut in favor of JoJo Mcintosh or Jeremy Reaves. If the Redskins are filling out the roster with the best players at the position, Apke should not make the team. He must flash in the preseason to stick on the roster.
Specialists (3)
Tress Way, Dustin Hopkins, Nick Sundberg
The three mainstays for the Redskins are back for another year. Dustin Hopkins and Tress Way face no competition in training camp, and backup long snapper Andrew East was released, meaning Nick Sundberg has proved he is fully healthy and ready to contribute in the new year.
Punter Tress Way is the superstar of this group. He is an elite punter that has arguably been snubbed for Pro Bowl Honors the past two years. He has a combined 74 punts inside the 20 since 2017, and has averaged 45.7 and 45.3 yards per punt the last two years respectively. However, while Way does have a big booming leg, it does get the best of him at times as he has had four punts returned for touchdowns in five seasons. The 29-year-old player from the University of Oklahoma has been a true asset to the team since being signed in 2014. Way is entering his prime, and should be with the team for years to come.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins will be entering his fifth-year with the Washington Redskins. After struggling to find a home with the New Orleans Saints early in his career, coming to Washington has been beneficial for the former Florida State product. His best years with the Redskins have come in 2015 and 2018, with last year being his best season to date with a made field goal percentage of 89.7 percent. Hopkins is a very accurate kicker but tends to struggle with longer kicks. The Redskins may need him to make kicks in games where field position is hard to come by. Hopkins in his career is 9-of-18 from 50-plus yards.
Long snapper Nick Sundberg, entering his 10th season with the Redskins, is a lock to make the team. He has steadily proved his value throughout his career, and is mostly seen as a very good long snapper due to his tight spin and delivery of the ball. Sundberg will have to prove he can stay healthy in 2019, as he has only played in all 16 games five times in his career.
Practice Squad (10)
B Bj Blunt, WR Steven Sims Jr, S JoJo McIntosh, TE Donald Parham, CB DJ White, RB Shaun Wilson, DL JoJo Wicker, TE Matt Flanagan, T Timon Parris, G Jerald Foster
While the Washington Redskins practice squad is always subject to change, these are my initial projections based on each individual’s training camp performance to date. There are a couple of intriguing prospects on this list to track throughout the preseason.
The player that seems the most likely to make an impact is Steven Sims Jr. Team insiders have marveled at the undrafted free agent out Kansas, and his ability to run routes while creating separation. He did not get the attention that other players at his position typically get out of college considering his production, but Kansas was a paltry 6-42 in his time as a member of the team.
Matt Flanagan played in three games with the Redskins last year after being called up to the active roster. While he is not much in the way of a receiving threat, he was the type of blocking tight end the Redskins are in desperate need of. If one of the first three tight ends are injured, Flanagan will most assuredly be called up to the 53-man roster.
Undrafted free agent JoJo Mcintosh will be another key member of the team’s practice squad roster, as he could take over for Troy Apke at a moment’s notice. The safety out of the University of Washington has all the tools necessary to compete for playing time. Per NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, McIntosh has the size, toughness, and urgency to be a good player in the league.
Lastly, the most intriguing prospect on this list is TE Donald Parham. Coming out of Stetson University in Florida, Parham steadily increased his production from his sophomore to senior seasons with the team. In his senior year alone, he tallied 85 receptions for 1,319 yards and 13 touchdowns. These numbers are elite in any league, and the Redskins should not let this uniquely gifted athlete out of their system.