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Evaluating the Redskins draft picks: James Smith-Williams has a tough road to a roster spot

By Jacob Camenker

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 31: James Smith-Williams #39 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack in action against the Texas A&M Aggies during the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field on December 31, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. Texas A&M won 52-13. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 31: James Smith-Williams #39 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack in action against the Texas A&M Aggies during the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field on December 31, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. Texas A&M won 52-13. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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RICHMOND, VA – JULY 26: Caleb Brantley #99 of the Washington Redskins walks to the field during training camp at Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center on July 26, 2019 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
RICHMOND, VA – JULY 26: Caleb Brantley #99 of the Washington Redskins walks to the field during training camp at Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center on July 26, 2019 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

How Smith-Williams fits with the Redskins

It’s truly hard to see how Smith-Williams will make the Redskins’ roster in 2020. They simply have a lot of competition at the edge rush position, so nothing is guaranteed.

Chase Young, Montez Sweat, and Ryan Kerrigan are all going to make the team. So too will Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Matt Ioannidis, and Tim Settle. Caleb Brantley is likely inside the bubble as well. So, that’s eight defensive linemen right there.

While only three of those linemen are true edge players (Young, Sweat, and Kerrigan), some of the others (namely Allen) have the versatility to play outside if needed. Plus, if Ryan Anderson makes the roster, he could be used as an undersized edge player, too. He’ll probably play SAM linebacker as well, but in certain packages, he could be that fourth edge rusher.

So, the room is crowded. And unless Smith-Williams can beat out someone like Brantley or Anderson, it’s unlikely that he will make the roster as the Redskins don’t really need to keep more than eight defensive linemen. Maybe they’d keep a ninth if someone really impresses, but even then, he’d still have to compete with 2019 seventh-round pick Jordan Brailford and second-year lineman Ryan Bee for a spot. And both could give him a run for his money.

Predicting Redskins rookie stats for 2020. dark. Next

All told, Smith-Williams seems like a shoo-in for the practice squad if he’s healthy. He can spend a year developing and getting healthier before trying to fight for a backup job in 2021, an offseason during which Kerrigan and Anderson will be free agents. Perhaps Smith-Williams will surprise, but at this point in time, it doesn’t seem likely that he will make the team’s roster to start the season.

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