Final 53 Man Roster Prediction For the Redskins

Quarterbacks: 3 – Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins, Colt McCoy

-I don’t see how the Redskins can go with only two QB’s. Between the Griffin injury risk, and wanting to have another arm in practice it just makes too much sense to go with 3 QB’s.

Running backs: 4 – Alfred Morris, Roy Helu Jr., Evan Royster, Lache Seastrunk

-Alright we know Morris and Helu are locks, but that leaves two open spots for four backs. As good as Silas Redd looked, Evan Royster has looked better this camp/preseason. Royster is also more versatile and of course Redd has practice squad eligibility. Heading into the game I thought Seastrunk’s job could be on the line, but his 80 yard screen TD reception is tough to ignore. He’s still not a guy you count on as a receiver out of the backfield, but his speed and big play ability is going to keep him on the roster. Chris Thompson had a decent game, but I don’t see how you keep him over any of the other three.

Fullback: 1- Darrel Young

-Young is a lock, no doubt about it.

Tight End: 3 – Jordan Reed, Logan Paulsen, Niles Paul

-These three  are all set and there isn’t any reason to think they are in danger of being cut.

Wide Receivers: 6 – Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson, Andre Roberts, Ryan Grant, Santana Moss, Aldrick Robinson

-The Redskins don’t really need 6 wide receivers, but barring a Robinson trade, there is no way they could cut any of this group. They have too much set talent at the top and the back-ups have all played extremely well in camp and the preseason.

Offensive Line: 9 – Trent Williams, Shawn Lauvao, Kory Lichtensteiger, Chris Chester, Tyler Polumbus, Morgan Moses, Spencer Long, Josh LeRibeus, Tom Compton

-The only questions here are will the Redskins keep 9 offensive linemen and if they do is Tom Compton that ninth guy? I think given the uncertainty of the line the Redskins have to keep 9 offensive linemen, so the question becomes has Compton earned that 9th spot. The Redskins need another tackle, particularly with Morgan Moses not 100% after the knee injury he suffered in the Ravens game. The only other tackle on the roster is Maurice Hurt, who hasn’t been bad, but he’s never played LT. Compton should get the nod here unless the Redskins can grab someone after cuts.

Defensive Line: 6 – Jason Hatcher, Barry Cofield, Chris Baker, Jarvis Jenkins, Kedric Golston, Clifton Geathers

– Five of these six spots were set, but the one open spot unfortunately got a lot easier to figure out after back-up NT Chris Neild suffered an ACL injury and is feared to be out for the season. Though Neild wasn’t a lock to make the team, he had a chance versus Clifton Geathers and Frank Kearse. Geathers had a really strong game which pretty much locks him into a roster spot.

Linebackers: 9 – Brian Orakpo, Ryan Kerrigan, Keenan Robinson, Perry Riley, Trent Murphy, Adam Hayward, Everette Brown, Will Compton, Akeem Jordan

-We know the four starters are set and Trent Murphy and Adam Hayward are set. Back-up ILB Will Compton is pretty much a lock as well. That leaves just 2 LB spots (assuming they keep 9) up for grabs. The 4th OLB spot is down to Everette Brown and Gabe Miller. Both players have had nice camps, but Miller has practice squad eligibility which gives Brown an edge here. The final ILB spot will come down to Akeem Jordan and Darryl Sharpton. Sharpton has missed the past 3 preseason games due to a high ankle sprain, while Jordan has played in every game and has made plays on defense and special teams. What complicates matters is that Jordan suffered a knee injury in the final preseason game and depending on the severity of the injury the Redskins could keep him or cut him. If the Redskins do cut Jordan, I actually think that opens the door up for Gabe Miller so they can avoid exposing him on waivers.

Cornerbacks: 5 – DeAngelo Hall, David Amerson, Tracy Porter, E.J. Biggers, Bashaud Breeland

-No real surprises here. If the Redskins had the chance to keep a 6th corner I’d guess it would be Chase Minnifield over Richard Crawford. I don’t really see them having the chance to keep a 6th corner though due to needs at other positions.

Safeties: 4 – Ryan Clark, Brandon Meriweather, Phillip Thomas, Bacarri Rambo

-With the news about Thomas’s injury more promising, I think the Redskins only keep 4 safeties. Now Meriweather’s 2 game suspension opens up another spot when that goes into effect on Monday. At a that point I think Trenton Robinson gets the nod over Akeem Davis.

Long Snapper: 1 – Nick Sundberg

-Only long snapper on the team, making this an easy decision.

Kicker: 1 – Kai Forbath

-I’ve been leaning Zach Hocker in recent weeks, but now I’m thinking Forbath keeps his job. Hocker’s 35 yard missed field goal in the 4th preseason game didn’t help his case, but the main reason I’m going with Forbath is the fact that he had to get beaten out and I don’t think Hocker did that. Their kick-off distances are closer than most people think and the accuracy is about even or maybe slightly in Forbath’s favor. Without a definitive advantage I think it is hard for Hocker to unseat Forbath.

Punter: 1 – Tress Way

-I’ve been predicting Robert Malone the entire way, but that was mainly just a default pick as Malone hadn’t done anything to really impress me. Way came out last night and had two really nice punts to start the game including one 50+ that had really nice hangtime allowing the coverage unit to get down there. Malone had a short punt later in the game that really didn’t help his cause. The Redskins may still look to scour the waiver wire to see what other punters get released, but if I have to pick between the two guys on the roster, I’m going with Way.