Washington Football Team: Final 53-man roster prediction
By Jonathan Eig
Defensive Line
Current roster: Chase Young, Montez Sweat, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Matt Ioannidis, Tim Settle, James Smith-Williams, Casey Toohill, William Bradley-King, Shaka Toney, Devaroe Lawrence, David Bada, Bunmi Rotimi, Gabe Wright, Daniel Wise
Young, Sweat, Allen and Payne are fearsome starters. Ioaniddis has yet to show much returning from injury, but I assume he will round into form. Settle is a key piece moving forward, assuming they will not be able to re-sign all the front-liners. Smith-Williams looks most likely to take over Ryan Kerrigan’s role in spelling the two starting ends. They will probably keep two more.
Underrated play by Daron Payne and a solid sequence by Washington's defense at the start of the 2Q last night. pic.twitter.com/JaGARGtWVr
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 21, 2021
At least one will be another edge rusher, and the other could be a second edge or an interior player. Rookies William Bradley-King and Shaka Toney, along with second-year player Casey Toohill are all in the mix, as is Devaroe Lawrence on the inside. But I’m seeing a surprise here. I think it is Bada time.
David Bada has been a long-term developmental player up til now, but he has looked comfortable on the field this preseason. He gets the final spot on the inside. And I think Toney offers the most potential on the edge, so I’m keeping him. Rotimi and Wright have shown a little bit on a play or two, but I think Wise may be the developmental player with the most long-term upside.
Final Roster (9 or 10): Young, Sweat, Allen, Payne, Ioannidis, Settle, Smith-Williams, Toney, Bada, and … maybe Toohill.