The Washington Redskins have quite a few position battles that need to be decided this offseason. Here’s a look at the key ones ahead of the second week of the NFL preseason.
Coming into the season, it was well-know that the Redskins had a lot of position battles that needed to be decided. The most glaring one was at the quarterback position, but there were a lot of other ones on the offensive side of the ball as well. And on defense, there were some notable roster battles that needed to be decided as well.
The first week of the preseason gave the fans a first glance at how these battles were shaking out in real time. Obviously, a small sample size of one game won’t have a massive impact on the team’s battles — don’t forget, training camp is still important! — but it still gave momentum to some players and took it away from others.
The second preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals will be the big chance for the performers in these position battles to either start running away with the battle or start to make things interesting.
For the moment, these are the players that we think are in the lead in each of the team’s important position battles. Here’s a look at all of the important ones, starting with the quarterback position.
Quarterback
This was the team’s most interesting position battle coming into the season. And after one preseason game, the answers at the position are still murky, but they’re somewhat clearer.
1. Case Keenum
Not much is being said about Keenum’s performance in the first preseason game, but he was very solid considering the circumstances. He had very little time in the pocket but was still able to deliver some decent passes. His best throw came on a play where he got solid blocking thanks to a Samaje Perine blitz pickup and launched a ball downfield to Robert Davis. He didn’t catch it, but there was a pass interference call on the play. So, it resulted in a big gain.
More from Riggo's Rag
- What will Emmanuel Forbes bring to the Washington Commanders?
- Highlighting the best Commanders 2023 NFL Draft betting props
- 3 late Commanders rumors drawing buzz ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft
- 4 bold predictions for the Commanders 2023 NFL Draft
- Commanders News: Chase Young trade, draft day, CB riser and Sam Howell
Keenum can be counted on as a steady presence with plenty of recent starting experience. After what we saw in the first preseason game, Keenum should certainly be in front in the quarterback battle.
2. Colt McCoy
McCoy didn’t play in the preseason opener just to give him an extra week to maintain the leg injury that he suffered last season. He knows Gruden’s offense and can certainly be trusted as a solid spot starter and could open the season as the starter if he can show well in preseason action.
Haskins showed some upside in his preseason debut, but there is a lot of room for improvement with him. He misfired on a number of occasions and needs to get better at reading the field at the NFL level. He should improve over the course of the preseason, but unless the growth is substantial, it would probably be best for him to learn on the bench for at least part of his rookie season.
Haskins did only had one year of starting experience at Ohio State, so, taking more time to develop certainly makes sense, especially if he’s not going to have ample time to make plays in the pocket. Both Keenum and McCoy have more experience dealing with pressure, so it would be best to roll with them if the left side of the line is going to be a problem.
Receiver Depth
For the purposes of this battle, we’re considering Terry McLaurin, Trey Quinn, and Paul Richardson as safe for the time being. The fact that they didn’t play much in the preseason opener is an indication that the coaching staff would like to hold onto them. That said, the same doesn’t apply to Josh Doctson, who also didn’t play in the preseason opener. If the other receivers impress enough, perhaps the Redskins could consider trying to move Doctson or parting ways with him. Doctson won’t be included in this battle, but he is the big wild card in it at the moment.
1. Cam Sims
Sims was excellent throughout training camp. While he didn’t quite live up to the expectations in the preseason opener (1 catch, 6 yards), the momentum he has gained during camp should keep him inside the roster bubble for the time being. A better performance in the second preseason game would go a long way to helping him solidify his standing on this roster.
Washington Commanders
2. Darvin Kidsy
Kidsy was arguably the Redskins’ best receiver in the first preseason game, nabbed 5-of-7 targets for 86 yards. He showed good chemistry with Dwayne Haskins and Gruden recently lauded his versatility. Kidsy may still need one more good performance to solidify his standing, but after Jay Gruden raved about him, he should have a shot to make the squad. It just depends on how the other receivers on the roster perform in the coming weeks. But needless to say, he got a major stock-up with his performance in the opener.
3. Robert Davis
Davis’ stat line from the first game looks pretty, as he grabbed a 46-yard touchdown. However, that came as a result of a busted coverage. Still, Davis showed field-stretching ability on another ball that he would’ve caught had he not been interfered with. Davis has great athletic ability so if he continues to stretch the field, he should have a chance to make the team. For now, it’s a coin-flip between him and Kidsy, unless the team keeps seven receivers.
There has been comparatively little buzz about Harmon coming out of camp and the team elected not to play him until very late in the game against the Browns. Could they be attempting to sneak him onto the practice squad? It’s possible, but it would be a surprise given the skill set of the big-bodied receiver.
Left Tackle
The battle here is for the starting job and right now, the leader here is clear.
The first preseason game confirmed what many always expected to be true. Without Trent Williams in the lineup, the Redskins don’t have much at the left tackle position. While Williams likely wouldn’t have played much in the team’s preseason opener against the Browns, the team wouldn’t have to worry as much about the performance of his backups in this game if he was with the team. But, Williams is still holding out and the team is refusing to trade him. So, there is no end in sight.
More from Commanders News
- What will Emmanuel Forbes bring to the Washington Commanders?
- Highlighting the best Commanders 2023 NFL Draft betting props
- 3 late Commanders rumors drawing buzz ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft
- 4 bold predictions for the Commanders 2023 NFL Draft
- Commanders News: Chase Young trade, draft day, CB riser and Sam Howell
If Williams isn’t back before the season starts — which is looking highly likely — the Redskins could have a lot of trouble at the tackle position. The team needs to do everything they can to convince him to return. But if the situation is truly untenable, the team is going to have major issues at left tackle this year.
2. Donald Penn
Of the two starter candidates at left tackle, Penn was better in the preseason opener. Though Penn did get beat by a spin move on one occasion, he blocked fairly well in his limited time on the field. Penn’s experience should make him the favorite at the moment and as he shakes the rust off and learns the Redskins system more (remember, he has only been here for two weeks) he should get better and be a serviceable option for the squad.
Christian was a third-round pick just a year ago, but he still has a long way to go before he can be a contributor at the NFL level. Myles Garrett gave him fits in Thursday’s preseason game and in one instance, Christian looked like a rag doll being thrown around by Garrett. Christian needs to get stronger and improve his technique before he can be entrusted as a starter. Unless he shows marked improvement against the Bengals, he is better served as a swing tackle and would likely be the fourth tackle on a team with more depth.
Left Guard
This position is largely a two-man race, and the fan-favorite really should get a chance to prove himself as a rookie.
1. Wes Martin
Martin was picked in the fourth round out of Indiana and many penciled him in as the starter right off the bat. However, Ereck Flowers has been working as the first-team left guard once he was taken off of tackle duty. Still, Martin outperformed Flowers in the first preseason game and was generally solid on the left side of the line. He has the strength needed to make an impact and given that he has more experience at guard than Flowers, using him there would make sense.
I understand why the team wanted to sign Flowers and try to turn him into a guard. And he definitely has looked better at guard than at tackle. But still, Flowers committed some penalties when working along with Geron Christian on the left side in the preseason opener. He is still a work-in-progress and it may be best to let him serve as a backup while he continues to fine-tune his skill set at the position.
The fifth-round rookie from Alabama is the dark horse in this race for the time being. He’s more likely to serve as the backup center but if Flowers and Martin have issues, he could join the fray.
Inside Linebacker
This position battle is the one with the least clarity at the moment. The depth chart remains unchanged for the time being, but if the starters don’t play a bit better as the preseason goes along, the young talent could overtake them.
Hamilton is the lone carryover starter from last year’s linebacker corps, but he was only a starter at the end of the season (four games). He had a rough go of it in the first preseason game and looked a step slow, but he was strong enough in camp to hold onto his starting job after one mediocre showing. However, he will have others breathing down his neck if he doesn’t step up in preseason Week 2.
2. Jon Bostic
Bostic was a late addition to the Redskins’ roster, but he overtook Mason Foster quickly and the team cut Foster as a result. Bostic is mostly a two-down run-stopping linebacker but he does have some athletic ability. He’s still favored to start the season as the starter while making way for the young talent in passing situations. But if either of the younger players show potential as a three-down linebacker, Bostic’s role could be reduced.
3. Cole Holcomb
Holcomb looked very solid in the Redskins’ preseason opener and flashed the athletic ability that made him a fifth-round pick. He made four tackles in the preseason opener and he showed off good instincts and tackling ability. He could become a starter quicker than expected if he continues to perform well.
Harvey-Clemons played quite a bit in the preseason opener and he also looked very good in coverage. The former safety logged two pass defenses and it wouldn’t surprise me if he earns a role in rotation with Bostic to play on passing downs and in obvious passing situations. Both Harvey-Clemons and Holcomb have made strides in their game to make this one of the most interesting position battles.
Backup Corner
The starting trio of Josh Norman, Quinton Dunbar, and Fabian Moreau seems pretty set. At this point, the backup corner spots are up for grabs. Here are the leaders in that area right now.
1. Jimmy Moreland
Moreland was one of the standout performers for the Redskins in the preseason opener. He made a lot of plays on the ball, forcing two fumbles and breaking up three passes. He wasn’t perfect in coverage and did give up a handful of catches. But his ballhawk skills could get him onto the field in certain packages to help make some plays, and his abilities there make him an ideal fit as a top backup.
2. Greg Stroman
Stroman was the top backup for most of last season and he could reprise that role this year. He is strong in coverage, but he may have fallen behind Moreland because of Moreland’s top-notch ball skills. Stroman can also serve as a return man, so they could use him more in that role while getting him in certain defensive packages but keeping him fresh. Either way, he has performed well to this point and should make the roster once again.
3. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
DRC provides the team with a needed veteran presence at cornerback, so it seems probable that he will make the team, especially with Adonis Alexander and Danny Johnson dinged up. Rodgers-Cromartie had three tackles in the preseason opener and would be a great mentor for Moreland, Stroman, and Moreau.
These are just the preliminary results from each battle. But for the time being, these clubhouse leaders have the advantage going into the Redskins’ second preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals.