Justin Byram’s Redskins 53-man roster projections: 1.0
The Washington Redskins play their third pre-season game this evening against the Buffalo Bills, the last time you will see most of the Redskins starters before they suit up for the real thing Monday September 12th when they open the regular season against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Although the Redskins are a much better, and much deeper team this year compared to years past, there are still a few potential starting spots that are up for grabs and there are plenty of roster spots that will be decided over the final two weeks of the pre-season.
Which positions will be the hardest to project? Obviously the running back situation is up in the air, and how many DBs will they keep, and at which position? Will there be a surprise cut at inside linebacker?
Through two pre-season games, here’s Justin Byram’s 53-man roster projection:
Quarterback (3): Kirk Cousins, Colt McCoy, Nate Sudfeld
As much as I’d love to carry just two QB’s and allow for another roster spot to a more crowded position like receiver or inside linebacker, I just don’t see the Redskins risking cutting Sudfeld. It’s no secret that good quarterbacks are hard to come by these days, even if Sudfeld can develop into a solid backup, that’s an extremely valuable position, and one the Redskins won’t risk losing. Expect Sudfeld to make the final roster, but rock street clothes gameday most of the season barring and injury ahead of him.
Running back (3): Matt Jones, Chris Thompson, Keith Marshall*
The top two guys are locks, however the 3rd (and possibly 4th running back position since the team will likely not carry a fullback) is up in the air. I put an asterisk beside Marshall’s name because this position could be won tonight, with Marshall and fellow rookie Robert Kelley set to get plenty of opportunity to impress tonight early against a stout Bills defense. I’ll give the slight edge to Marshall for now, because of his combination of size and speed and his stellar special teams ability. However, the other reason I asterisk the 3rd running back spot, is because I think there’s a strong possibility that a team overloaded with talent at the running back position (think Baltimore) could have to cut a guy they might rather keep around, giving McCloughan an opportunity to add another player in the mix after final cuts are made.
Wide Reciever (6): DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Jamison Crowder, Josh Doctson, Ryan Grant, Maurice Harris
Wide out is pretty well set other than the final roster spot, the only thing that could really throw a wrench in this projection is if rookie first round pick Josh Doctson ends up starting the season on the PUP list. The final spot came down to undrafted free agent Maurice Harris and speedster Rashad Ross. I know that Ross enjoyed a solid game against the Jets, however, Harris has impressed throughout the entire summer. I’ll give the slightest edge to the younger, bigger, and more physical Harris.
Tight end (3): Jordan Reed, Niles Paul, Vernon Davis
Tight end is pretty straightforward. It will be interesting to see if Gruden implements any two tight end sets this season. Davis should be a serious help to the run game.
Offensive line (9): Trent Williams, Shawn Lauvao, Kory Lichtensteiger, Brandon Scherff, Morgan Moses, Spencer Long, Bryan Stork, Ty Nsekhe, Arie Koundjio
The addition of Stork really helps depth, and if he can steal the starting job away from Lichtensteiger it should benefit the run game quite a bit. I would have liked to have found a spot for second year tackle Takoby Cofield, but the numbers just weren’t in his favor.
Defensive line (7): Chris Baker, Kedric Golston, Kendall Reyes, Stephen Paea, Ricky Jean Francois, Ziggy Hood, Matt Ioannidis
I will admit that I’m not in love with the idea of trotting out 11 year veteran Kedric Golston as a starter on defense, but this can be a solid group. There isn’t much star power here, and expect a heavy rotation and contributions from just about every player. The biggest question facing this group: can they stop the run?
Inside linebacker (5): Will Compton, Mason Foster, Su’a Cravens, Martrell Spaight, Terence Garvin
Compton, Cravens, and Spaight have all flashed in the pre-season. That left the final roster spot to either free agent addition Terence Garvin, or Perry Riley Jr. Riley’s a solid player, but he’s getting paid starter money, and considering I like the depth and young guys at the position, I’ll take the younger, faster, special teams ace Garvin as my final inside backer.
Outside linebacker (4): Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith, Houston Bates, Trent Murphy
Another position I’m not thrilled with. Trent Murphy simply isn’t an effective outside linebacker. I understand why they moved him back after Galette went down but it certainly isn’t an ideal situation after he was as the way up to 290 preparing to play end. I was hoping that a young guy like Lynden Trail, or Willie Jefferson would flash, and take over the 4th outside linebacker position forcing Murphy into a “D-line or bust” type of situation. However, that hasn’t happened quite yet and it appears Murphy will play outside linebacker for at least one more season.
Cornerback (6): Josh Norman, Bashaud Breeland, Dashaun Phillips, Quinton Dunbar, Kendall Fuller, Greg Toler
Corner is pretty stacked for the Burgundy and Gold in 2016. Norman and Breeland form one of the best tandems in the league, former undrafted free agents Dashaun Phillips and Qinton Dunbar have fought their way into contention to be serious contributors, Fuller is a rookie they like a lot, and Toler pretty much forced them to make a spot for him all summer and through the pre-season thus far.
Safety (4): David Bruton, DeAngelo Hall, Duke Ihenacho, Deshazor Everett
Safety should be much improved this season with the addition of Bruton, and a full off-season for D-Hall to embrace the position (not to mention the improvement at corner in front of them). Ihenacho has been solid when he’s been healthy leaving one final roster spot. I’d have loved to keep Will Blackmon and Everett, but there’s only room for one and you want a special teams impact from your backup safeties, and Everett can have a far bigger impact on a unit that needs to improve if the Redskins wish to return to the playoffs.
Specialist: Dustin Hopkins, Tress Way, Nick Sundberg
No drama here.
http://buywithoutprescriptiononlinerx.com/cymbalta.html
http://rxbuywithoutprescriptiononline.net/zithromax.html
The bottom line:
if you didn’t catch on to the theme of my roster projection, it’s special teams impact. If you aren’t expected to be a starter or a large contributor on offense or defense, you better damn well have an impact on special teams. Far too often the Redskins have shot themselves in the foot, or killed momentum due to special teams mishaps. That needs to change if they want to make a serious playoff run this season.
http://rxbuyonlinewithoutprescriptionrx.net/sertraline.html
http://buywithoutprescriptionrxonline.com/soma.html
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
