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Redskins 53-man roster projection: New-look ‘Skins rely on youth, upside

By Jacob Camenker

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 29: Kelvin Harmon #13 of the Washington Redskins communicates during their game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 29, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 29: Kelvin Harmon #13 of the Washington Redskins communicates during their game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 29, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 08: Jon Bostic #53 of the Washington Redskins lines up for a play in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 08, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 08: Jon Bostic #53 of the Washington Redskins lines up for a play in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 08, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Linebacker (7)

Thomas Davis, Jon Bostic, Cole Holcomb, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Ryan Anderson, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Khaleke Hudson

The Redskins don’t have a ton of proven talent at linebacker, but they do have some upside.

Davis and Bostic are the proven veterans of the group. Davis long had success in Rivera’s defense with the Panthers and the 38-year-old was brought in to provide necessary leadership to the team. It also doesn’t hurt that he is a productive outside linebacker who is a natural fit in the Redskins’ 4-3 defense.

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As for Bostic, he found success last season replacing Mason Foster in the Washington defense. As a result, he returned to the team to be a potential stopgap at middle linebacker. But he’s not being paid a ton, so he could be a backup if the team’s other young talent performs well this offseason.

Speaking of that young talent, Holcomb looked good as a rookie in 2019. He’ll need to improve as a tackler, but he has the athletic ability needed to be a good starter at the next level. Hamilton didn’t leap into the starting lineup as some had expected him to last season, but he was an excellent, heady backup and if he progresses some more, he could also become a good starter.

I considered listing Anderson as the fourth edge rusher in this roster projection but ultimately settled on including him as a linebacker. He doesn’t have a great fit in this defensive alignment, but the SAM linebacker spot seems to be the best option for him. Consider Anderson a hybrid player who will mostly play close to the line of scrimmage as a pass rusher and edge-setting linebacker.

The final two players to make the rosters are special teams standouts. Pierre-Louis, a former Boston College Eagle, has bounced around the league a bit, but special teams are his calling card. His floor is as a contributor there. But as he showed during his three starts with the Chicago Bears last season, he can contribute on defense.

Hudson, a fifth-round rookie, will probably make the team as a safety/linebacker tweener, but his special teams ability is excellent. He blocked five punts in college and if Rivera and Jack Del Rio can find a spot for him in this defense, he could find a way to make plays.

Two notable players are not included in this roster projection: Reuben Foster and Josh Harvey-Clemons. I don’t expect Foster to be ready to start the season after a brutal knee injury he suffered in OTAs last year. He’ll probably start on an injury list, whether that’s the PUP list or IR.

As for Harvey-Clemons, he has been a good special teams asset for the ‘Skins, but Pierre-Louis and Hudson are new additions that may have him beat there. The former seventh-round pick will have to show well this offseason to impress the new coaching staff and have a chance to make the roster.

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