Redskins Roster Projection: No Colt McCoy, team goes light in backfield

Practice Squad (10)

WR Steven Sims Jr., WR Jehu Chesson, QB Jalan McClendon, TE Donald Parham, LB Gary Johnson, S JoJo McIntosh, DL JoJo Wicker, RB Craig Reynolds, OT Blake Hance, LB BJ Blunt

This practice squad is loaded with potential. The Redskins are stashing some extra offensive weapons because they opted to go light on that side of that ball. That Steven Sims Jr., a potential slot weapon who has done well this offseason, and Jehu Chesson, a special teams ace who could make the team as well.

Elsewhere, Reynolds serves as the de facto No. 4 running back but will spend time seasoning on the practice squad. If anyone back gets banged-up, he’d be the first man to call. The same can be said for quarterback Jalan McClendon, who sticks around because of his athletic ability and McCoy’s injury.

Parham makes the team because of his 6-foot-8 frame and upside. Perhaps a year on the practice squad would do the undrafted Division II product well. Offensive tackle Blake Hance sticks around too. The team is thin at tackle, so developing the Northwestern product is worth a shot.

Defensively, the two JoJo’s stick around. Wicker spent time on the active roster last year and still has potential. He just loses the final roster battle to Bee. Meanwhile, McIntosh was viewed as a candidate to challenge for a safety job, but Jeremy Reaves has overtaken him in that realm. Still, with the Redskins lacking safety depth, he’s worth keeping around.

The final two practice squad spots are all about potential. BJ Blunt has been with the Redskins since signing as an undrafted free agent. The converted safety has a nose for the football and while he’s raw, the McNeese State product has the upside needed to be an eventual contributor. He could make the roster as a fifth linebacker, but he probably needs more time before being given that role.

Finally, Johnson was a nice pickup by the Redskins. As mentioned, the team could use some candidates for a fifth linebacker spot. Johnson has excellent speed and athletic ability so he could develop into a quality player. He may even have a chance to make the squad as a special teams player.

This is a solid practice squad and the ‘Skins could get some future contributors off here. It will be interesting to see how they construct their 53-man roster, but this permutation certainly seems possible.