Further examination of the Washington Football Team’s roster
67 players on the Washington Football Team’s present-day roster have five years of experience or less. Competition in training camp will be intense with so many players looking to prove or improve their status with the team. No matter how it shakes out, competition can lay the groundwork for greatness at any age or experience level.
One group for the Washington Football Team that will see little competition in camp is the defensive line. PFF’s Ben Linsey correctly called this unit the biggest strength on the roster. See what he had to say below:
"Spending premium draft picks on the same position group year after year should lead to success. It doesn’t always work out that way, but it certainly has for Washington’s defensive line."
Washington’s ferocious front four will likely be a major reason for the team’s success in the coming year. Montez Sweat and Chase Young clearly dominate the headlines, but solid interior line production is what truly makes this unit so special. Jonathan Allen, Matt Ioannidis, Daron Payne, and Tim Settle should continue being problematic for most offensive lines.
What held Washington back on Linsey’s roster ranking was a belief of uncertainty with the offensive line. He cited the loss of veteran tackle Morgan Moses as a potential cause for concern. Even though losing a locker room presence like Moses is never easy, the team will likely be in capable hands with Charles Leno Jr., Sam Cosmi, and Cornelius Lucas as primary starting options at tackle.
Leno Jr. has a résumé that includes being a Pro Bowl choice in 2018. Cosmi will possibly be raw early on, but his elite physical profile should set him up to compete with the speed and strength of opposing defenders. While Lucas played well in the 2020 season at left tackle, a switch to right tackle may need some getting used to again.
Determining a team’s strengths and weaknesses is usually a subjective process. The notion that the team’s offensive line is a weakness might be a bit premature. In reality, the Washington offense will need to match the high standards set on defense.
Realistically, all eyes will likely be on one area going forward. It is undeniable that the most critical roster spot to get right in all of team sports is the starting quarterback.
Fitzpatrick critical to team success in 2021
Washington won seven games in 2020 despite uneven play by its three main quarterbacks. Of all who started, Alex Smith led the club to the most wins. However, he couldn’t overcome a nagging right calf strain suffered late in the season. With Smith now no longer around, the team will likely rely on veteran addition Ryan Fitzpatrick as the primary signal caller.
The signing of Fitzpatrick in free agency could either turn out to be a steal or a mistake. His risky style of play doesn’t allow for much variance as he is the quintessential gunslinger.
Fitzy will either play all seventeen games and throw for over 4,000 yards, or get benched in favor of Taylor Heinicke due to poor form. It’s all a part of the mystique behind the man who is now playing for his ninth team in 17 years.
Final Thoughts
Former Team President Bruce Allen once said in a press conference that the culture in Washington was “actually damn good.” Everyone listening understood that the culture was not conducive to winning. Ron Rivera, on the other hand, is establishing a culture that the burgundy and gold faithful should be proud of.
It’s okay to be excited about the current state of the Washington Football Team on the field. The roster consists of promising rookies, proven young talent at premium spots, serviceable veteran depth, and a coaching staff that has an understanding of how to mold it all together.