Redskins Roster Outlook: First Glance

The Washington Redskins released their first public depth chart yesterday and their were a few notable surprises. The first of which was the exclusion of rookie Dennis Morris from the fullback race, but his name has since been added. Here is a break down of some of my thoughts with a first glance at the depth chart:

The Receivers could be this teams biggest weakness: If the season were to start today Santana Moss and Joey Galloway would be McNabb’s top options. That doesn’t bode well for those fans hoping for a playoff berth. While the starters are bad enough the 2nd man at each spot is Roydell Williams and Anthony Armstrong, leaving once touted prospects Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly 3rd on the depth chart. Not only is it troubling that Thomas and Kelly have fallen, but it makes you wonder when the three tallest receivers in camp (Thomas, Kelly and Shay Hodge) are all buried on the depth chart. Things will ideally change between now and the start of the season, but this is not a playoff caliber group unless the young guys step up.

The Offensive Line is extremely thin: The Skins did well to improve their starters this season, but with Mike Williams injury their offensive line depth is razor thin. Good old names like Stephon Heyer and Chad Rinehart are just one injury away from playing significant time. Washington needs to develop Edwin Williams, Erik Cook and Selvish Capers fast or it could be a long season for McNabb in D.C.

The Defensive Line looks deep, but it may be too deep: The Skins went out and brought in some 3-4 D-linemen this year, and that should help pay off, but some of these guys are just filler. I like the Carriker, Kemoeatu and Holliday additions, but it did bury Jeremy Jarmon on the depth chart. I’ll be very interested in seeing how he transitions into the 3-4, as I like his upside and hope he can find a place on the team. Even with all the upgrades this defensive front will rely quite a bit on Albert Haynesworth. While he is listed as the 2nd string NT all reports indicate he will be playing right DE when the season starts. Now that is the correct way to use him, but it will remain to be seen if they have enough talent around him to make teams pay for double teaming him.