Early Offseason Roster Prediction: Offense

Based on the number of spots per position in my Offensive Roster Construction (with an addendum here) here are my predictions for the players on the final 53 man roster on offense (note: Special teams doesn’t have any mystery as it should be P Sav Rocca, K Kai Forbath and LS Nick Sundberg)

Offense | Defense

Quarterbacks: 3

Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins, Rex Grossman

-No real mystery here, the Redskins are all but assured to keep three quarterbacks and we know which ones they will be and in what order.

Running backs: 4

Alfred Morris, Roy Helu Jr., Jawan Jamison, Chris Thompson

-Some people might not agree with the four running back approach, but the Redskins need to have a back-up plan to Alfred Morris. And it is pretty simple in Mike Shanahan’s history if he can run the football he wins games. The Redskins need to ensure they can do that, and the best way to do that is to have four capable backs. Jamison could end up the back-up before the season is out and Chris Thompson should be used in a variety of specialty roles.

Fullback: 1

Darrel Young

-No shock here, the only way Young isn’t the fullback is if he’s injured.

Tight End: 4

Logan Paulsen, Fred Davis, Jordan Reed, Niles Paul

-The Redskins should keep four tight ends given the variety of skill sets and the concern over Fred Davis’s injury. If Davis is healthy the team should get creative, utilizing some more three tight end sets. Not just as a jumbo formation or for running, but to throw out of as well.

Wide Receiver: 5

Pierre Garcon, Santana Moss, Joshua Morgan, Leonard Hankerson, Aldrick Robinson

-With four tight ends the Redskins can really only keep five wide receivers. The top four are basically locked, leaving that battle for the fifth spot between Aldrick Robinson and Dezmon Briscoe a pretty interesting camp battle. Briscoe has better size and is probably a better red zone and possession receiver option. He’s also worked out of the slot some more (though traditionally not Mike Shanahan’s definition of a slot receiver), giving him some versatility. Robinson on the other hand is the bigger deep threat and saw more time this past season. He’s a bit more limited in what position he can play and routes he runs, but he has very impressive speed. Robinson also has probably more special teams ability and could even get a look as a returner, which is why I think he could win this battle.

Offensive Line: 9

Trent Williams, Kory Lichtensteiger, Will Montgomery, Chris Chester, Tony Pashos, Tyler Polumbus, Maurice Hurt, Josh LeRibeus, Adam Gettis

-The only slight surprise among the starters is Pashos edging out the competition to win the RT job. With Pashos winning the job, I think it will be tough for Jeremy Trueblood to win a spot given that he is basically a RT only (and not a very good one). Tom Compton also will probably be an odd man out, unless he shows a lot of potential. Guys like Polumbus and Hurt have the versatility to play guard (maybe not that effectively, but it is there). LeRibeus and Gettis also get the nod, as hopefully one if not both of them have worked at center some to increase their utility.

What do you think?