What Can We Learn From The Redskins 1st Depth Chart?

The short answer is nothing, but since they released their first depth chart it is worth taking a look at anyways. Some important things to remember, this is essentially the depth chart as it stands today so injuries are reflective in guys like LaRon Landry not being on the list and Ryan Torain listed in the ‘others’ category. Also the fact that certain players have been banged up and missing some practices could be why they are on a particular team. Now to break it down by position and any surprises that occur:

Quarterback: Grossman got the nod as the starter, but I doubt that is written in stone. Beck has missed some practices these past few days, and of course Grossman has more experience in the system.

Running back: Tim Hightower and Roy Helu could continue to see their names 1-2 on this list if Ryan Torain can’t stay healthy. It will be an interesting battle to watch. And if Helu really shines he could move up even quicker.

Fullback: The most shocking thing is Mike Sellers isn’t even listed as a fullback, The battle is between Darryl Young and Keiland Williams, Young has the advantage of playing FB before, but Williams had a solid rookie campaign at tailback and will be a tough guy to cut.

Wide Receiver: Jabar Gaffney is listed as the starter opposite Moss, and Armstrong looks to be the 3rd WR, with Hankerson listed across from him. The most shocking thing to me is that fellow rookies Niles Paul and Aldrick Robinson are listed behind Terrence Austin and Donte Stallworth. Paul especially is surprising as he has had such a productive camp.

Tight end: The position is listed as you’d expect, with the one exception of Mike Sellers being listed as the 4th TE. It isn’t looking good for Sellers to make the team regardless of his special teams ability.

Offensive line: The starters are the usual suspects (including Kory Lichtensteiger), but the backups are a little interesting. Now the positions aren’t as important as the 5 players listed on the 2nd line, including 7th rounder Maurice Hurt and UDFA Willie Smith, over guys like Selvish Capers and Xavier Fulton. One thing this chart proves is this line has a ways to go before it should be considered a strength of this team.

Defensive line: Jarvis Jenkins is listed as a backup to Adam Carriker, but given his impressive camp he could take over that starting job before the preseason is done. Even if he does come in as a backup, he can play both end positions so he will get a ton of plays.

Linebackers: Interestingly Lorenzo Alexander is listed among the OLB’s despite playing nearly all his snaps inside this camp. That leaves newly signed Keyaron Fox as a 2nd string ILB with Perry Riley, which leaves H.B. Blades in a 3rd string role and likely to get cut. Alexander being at OLB also puts rookie Markus White in a 3rd string role. It will be an interesting camp battle to see if Alexander stays outside or if he is listed as an ILB, and what that means for Fox or Riley‘s chances of making the team.

Defensive backs: The corners are listed how you’d expect with Hall, Wilson, Barnes and Buchanon as the top 4. Behind them Reggie Jones, Byron Westbrooke and rookie Brandyn Thompson are battling it out for the 5th spot (assuming they keep a 5th CB). At safety the one interesting thing is that DeJon Gomes is listed as the 3rd SS, but with Landry not on the list that makes him the 4th SS. He can play some FS as well, but it is interesting they didn’t put him above Anderson Russell in the 2nd string role (which is actually the 3rd string role with Kareem Moore not on the list).

Analysis: I’m not putting too much stock into this so far, particularly this year with the shortened training camp. I think the rookies are by an large lower just because Mike Shanahan is going to make them earn their spots. I think we will almost definitely see quite a few of these rookies making it this year, and this depth chart looking vastly different come September 11th.