Regardless of additional personnel moves between now and the start of whatever comes next, we know the basis of the Washington Redskins’ roster.
Not the Week 1 version, however, but the one with upwards of 90 players set to slog through summer workouts in Ashburn, Va. and Richmond. From rookie mini-camp through training camp, the coaching staff instructs and observes all the action with an eye toward the 53-man roster and practice squad slots.
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Even if the NFL figures out what the league considers a safe and viable way to play the 2020 regular season, most of the summer practice sessions likely disappear. That’s a predicament for teams, but also those of us in the roster prediction business. Limited chances to see who spent more time with their trainer than the “Tiger King”, plus hear insight, direct or otherwise, from the coach.
Rob Kelley doesn’t go from long shot to starter in 2016 without these opportunities. By the time the last two rookie minicamps ended, there were strong vibes seventh-round picks Trey Quinn and Jimmy “The people’s champion” Moreland would make the team. Such stories might not occur this year. The prediction game rolls on regardless.
Before exploring the roster locks and battles, a caveat. Following Saturday’s trade sending offensive tackle Trent Williams to San Francisco, Washington’s available salary cap jumped to $35.6 million according to the website Over The Cap. That’s the second-most room in the league behind Cleveland. There’s no guarantee the plan under coach Ron Rivera involves significant spending, especially if that means taking snaps from developing players. The free-agent market lacks stars, but there’s talent available, including at those remaining needs areas.
We’re sticking with the 53-man number though teams with the use of practice squad players could bump to 55 during the season (And 46 to 48 on game days with one of the new spots for an offensive lineman).
Offense
Quarterbacks: Dwayne Haskins, Kyle Allen
The drama here involves whether Haskins’s inexperience broadly and specifically in offensive coordinator Scott Turner’s system allows for Allen to start Week 1. The fewer the live practices, the more likely that happens even though Haskins owns the more significant physical gifts, and was Washington’s first-round pick last season. Maybe Haskins rocks these virtual practices and grasps the playbook with the ease of Michael Jordan calling out Isiah Thomas in “The Last Dance” documentary. Time will tell, but the more time passes, the higher chance a battle ensues.
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My fixed line on Alex Smith remains intact. Until the medical staff clears him and his severely injured leg to play football, I am assuming that doesn’t happen. There’s no shot at releasing Smith and his remaining contract in any conventional way until 2021, so the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list becomes his home for a second consecutive year.
Steven Montez, a priority free agent signing, would have to dominate practices like Timmy Smith dominated the Broncos in the Super Bowl to make the 53, but doing enough for a practice squad spot is a victory.
Outside the 53: Alex Smith (IR), Steven Montez
Running backs: Adrian Peterson, Derrius Guice, J.D. McKissic, Antonio Gibson, Bryce Love
Washington needed more offensive playmakers. With the draft, that meant homework on wide receivers and tight ends more than running backs. While Gibson checks the playmaker box and his versatility defies position labeling, the Memphis product falls under the running back heading. Therefore this crowded room with five viable options for perhaps only four roster spots became more crowded.
Jay Gruden’s teams often included only three backs with four the typical ceiling. In this case, I’m not sure how we don’t go with at least five. Fortunately, Gibson and McKissic help on special teams. Uncertainty remains with Love’s recovery from his 2018 knee injury makes for a challenging call, but he receives the nod over Peyton Barber. Considering Barber’s NFL history, I might talk myself into six running backs by this summer.
Outside the 53: Peyton Barber, Josh Ferguson
#Redskins 3rd round pick Antonio Gibson has the ability to break a play at any moment. Home run hitter as well as versatile weapon pic.twitter.com/CDBdWGFEcx
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) April 25, 2020
Wide receivers: Terry McLaurin, Kelvin Harmon, Steven Sims, Antonio Gandy-Golden, TBD, Cody Latimer
Look at this group, and you can understand why Washington went hard for Amari Cooper in free agency. Both for the talent and the veteran aspect.
That Gibson might line up outside in some formations helps me consider keeping five from this lot, though figuring out the fifth is challenging, which is why I’m picturing someone new arriving. Latimer sticks in this scenario solely because he’s been around for more than two seasons, unlike everyone else. Quinn, a Gruden favorite, lost his starting slot role to Sims and could lose his roster spot depending on how many receivers remain.
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If the Redskins add free agents, this position warrants more. Former Panthers Jarius Wright and Chris Hogan are just a phone call away.
I didn’t mention Harmon in Monday’s “winners” story, but he’s arguably the favorite to start opposite McLaurin. If the coaching staff wants to emphasize the ground game based on personnel and as help for Haskins, don’t sleep on Harmon’s blocking.
Outside the 53: Trey Quinn, Cam Sims, Darvin Kidsy, Emmanuel Hall, Jordan Veasy, Jester Weah, Isaiah Wright, Johnathon Johnson
Tight ends:Logan Thomas, Jeremy Sprinkle, Thaddeus Moss
Speaking of winners, big ups to Thomas and Sprinkle after the Redskins passed on drafting a tight end, though they signed LSU’s Thaddeus Moss as a priority free agent. While Vice President of Player Personnel Kyle Smith said the no-tight end result was a case of following the team’s draft board, signing Thomas provided some cover. This offseason, Rivera hoped to land his former Carolina star Greg Olsen, who instead signed with Seattle. The coach and others see “glimpses” of Olsen’s athletic ability in Thomas, who enters the season with 35 career receptions in four seasons.
“Pete Hoener, our tight end coach, felt very strongly about this guy’s abilities, mostly because he thought (Logan) was a very smart and savvy football player,” Rivera said pre-draft. “He’s a tremendous athlete. And he’s just learning and getting the position right now. Remember, he is a converted quarterback, a guy that has a skill set that is a little unique because of his understanding of the way offenses work.”
I’ll give Moss the third spot based on pre-draft projections of a Day 3 selection without analysts knowing he suffered a foot fracture. Otherwise, Hentges over Richard Rodgers, who was limited to one reception in eight games since 2018 because of injuries.
Outside the 53: Richard Rodgers, Hale Hentges, Caleb Wilson, Marcus Baugh
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Offensive line:Morgan Moses, Cornelius Lucas, Saahdiq Charles, Geron Christian, Brandon Scherff, Wes Schweitzer, Wes Martin, Chase Roullier, Keith Ismael
Part of me wanted 10 linemen, but the extra one on game days means Washington can lean on the practice squad for help. Nine slots — and the selection of Ismael in the fifth — puts Ross Pierschbacher on the wrong side of the cutline. Not only is Ismael a significant threat for the backup role, in time, the San Diego State product should also challenge Roullier.
I made the case that selecting Charles in the fourth may finalize the four tackles. For strictly 2020 purposes, there’s strong justification to ignore such thinking and sign a veteran. Haskins needs blindside protection at a minimum. Jason Peters, Kelvin Beachum and Cordy Glenn are among the top available options along with Donald Penn, last year’s starting left tackle.
Outside the 53: Ross Pierschbacher, Timon Parris, Jeremy Vujnovich, Paul Adams
Defense
Defensive line:Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Matt Ioannidis, Tim Settle, Caleb Brantley, Ryan Kerrigan, Montez Sweat, Chase Young
That’s one potentially pocket-wrecking group with Young officially on board. With the new 4-3 scheme, I’m moving Kerrigan and Sweat to defensive end labels. The lone debate is whether to keep a fifth interior option (Brantley or Ryan Bee) or another outside presence (Nate Orchard or seventh-round pick James Smith-Williams). The tiebreaker goes to the kid (Smith-Williams), but the NC State product could sneak onto the practice squad. It’s worth noting Orchard’s best game in 2019 came at Carolina, in Rivera’s final one as Panthers coach.
Outside the 53: Nate Orchard, Jordan Brailford, Ryan Bee, James Smith-Williams, Cameron Malveaux
Beautiful 2-play sequence here by the defense.
Nate Orchard bulldozes the LG straight into the QB. Then Matt Ioannidis with a NASTY spin-move sack into the QB for a 2nd straight sack.
Panthers left with 3rd and 23 👌🏽 pic.twitter.com/0AD6nf3dp9
— 🐐💧 (@bentleyhaskins) April 1, 2020
Linebackers:Ryan Anderson, Cole Holcomb, Jon Bostic, Thomas Davis, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Reuben Foster
There are effectively three new players here since Foster’s season-ending ACL injury with nerve damage last summer ended his 2019 comeback hopes. As with Alex Smith and Bryce Love, we have minimal information on his recovery since Rivera isn’t with the players.
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“That’s the hard part about right now is that you just don’t know, you don’t know what kind of shape your players are going to be in,” Rivera said about Foster this offseason. “You’re hoping that they are all going to be the professionals that you’re paying them to be.”
I’ll go positive with Foster since, if healthy and focused, he makes the team. Doing so drops one holdover.
Without the chance to see how the players progressed since we saw them last, the odd man out is 2017 seventh-round Josh Harvey-Clemons. While Hamilton might fall behind Bostic as the Mike, I’m intrigued to see this Alabama alum behind that stacked defensive line. Let’s also show some interest in the recovery of 2019 seventh-round pick Jordan Brailford, who spent his rookie season on the injured reserve list.
Outside the 53: Josh Harvey-Clemons, Jared Norris
Cornerbacks:Kendall Fuller, Ronald Darby, Fabian Moreau, Jimmy Moreland, Danny Johnson, Greg Stroman
Another position where the free-agent market warrants consideration since Washington did not select a cornerback with any of its eight draft picks. Though Fuller signed a four-year contract and Darby arrived with a low-risk one-year deal, there’s a case the Redskins need help for the short and long term.
Good news: Several solid to strong candidates remain in free agency headlined by Logan Ryan, last with the Titans. Washington could outbid teams with a lucrative one-year deal.
Problem: Ryan’s best work comes in the slot, and that’s likely Fuller’s domain.
Other options include Darqueze Dennard, Prince Amukamara and Eli Apple plus two members of the 2019 Panthers: Javien Elliott and Ross co*ckrell.
The current group isn’t without potential. Darby started 56 games over five seasons for the Bills and Eagles, but injuries prevented more. Moreau improved when shifted outside, and Moreland held up during his rookie season despite making the leap from James Madison to the NFL. I remain a believer in Danny Johnson, who shined in between injuries last season. But more is required.
Outside the 53: Simeon Thomas
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Safeties:Landon Collins, Sean Davis, Khaleke Hudson, Deshazor Everett
The “losers” side of Monday’s article included everyone here without the surname Collins or Davis after Washington selected two safeties on Day 3. The versatile Hudson, though listed at linebacker, projects to safety. That he’s a steady threat to block kicks helps make the roster. I’m less optimistic for seventh-round selection Kamren Curl, who will battle for the role of Collins’s backup.
The real story should this projection unfold is the ouster of Troy Apke. The 2018 fourth-round pick remains an unproven defender after two seasons despite some solid work in relief last season. With Davis on a one-year deal, the coaching staff may ponder more work for Apke is the multi-year plan.
Do you want a sixth wide receiver, 10th offensive lineman, seventh linebacker, or fifth safety? That’s the choice weeks or months away from the return of football. Receivers and linebackers won out here, Apke and others did not.
Outside the 53: Troy Apke, Kamren Curl, Jeremy Reaves, Maurice Smith
Just finished a write up on #Redskins 5th rounder Khaleke Hudson. He’s undersized, but not afraid to mix it up with offensive lineman much bigger than him in the run game. Full post likely out tomorrow pic.twitter.com/zAdRbIf00z
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) April 27, 2020
Special teams
Dustin Hopkins, Tress Way, Nick Sundberg
Per usual, nothing to see here, though I could use some of Way’s trivia questions to help pass the time.
(Photo of Haskins and McLaurin: Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images)
