Early 8 Man Practice Squad Roster

This is definitely subject to change, but I thought it would be fun to look at essentially the 8 guys who will just miss the cut, but the team wants to have around:

OG Adam Gettis:

-Gettis should still be practice squad eligible since he wan’t active for enough games last season. Though he is listed as the 2nd team RG, he’s missed a week of practice which puts him a little behind. Right now I don’t  see the Redskins keeping more than 4 back-up OL, and between Tony Pashos, Tom Compton, Josh LeRibeus, Maurice Hurt (assuming he comes back from this injury) and Kevin Matthews, I think they will fill those four spots. Gettis could get claimed, but there is a chance he’d make it through waivers.

OT Xavier Nixon:

-Given the question marks along the offensive line due to injury and ineffectiveness, keeping two guys on the practice squad makes sense.  Nixon was one of the top undrafted free agent offensive linemen and is a guy with a little potential to develop into a starter down the line. He’s not there yet, but give him some time and he could be.by next season.

RB Jawan Jamison:

-Jamison was the Redskins 7th round pick and while there are high hopes for him, it is likely the Redskins only keep three running backs. Alfred Morris and Roy Helu Jr. are basically locked in, leaving just one spot for Evan Royster, Keiland Williams, Chris Thompson and Jamison. Shanahan will likely go with a more veteran option, and perhaps try to stash Thompson on IR. That would leave Jamison the shot at the practice squad.

WR Skye Dawson:

-Dawson has impressed so far in camp, but most of his success has come in 1-on-1 work where the receiver has the advantage. Dawson is a long shot to make the team even if Mike Shanahan were to keep 6 or 7 receivers. He should though be targeted for the practice squad in the hopes that he could make it next year.

WR Lance Lewis:

-Lewis by most accounts continues to impress in camp like he did a year ago. He already spent a year on the practice squad and could be back for round 2. He offers a little extra size and has some developmental potential.

ILB William Compton:

-Currently the Redskins top 4 active ILB’s (Fletcher, Riley, Barnett, Kehl) are all impeding UFA’s next year. While the Redskins hope Keenan Robinson will be back, they would be wise to try and have some depth. Compton has impressed some in camp and could be the guy they look to have on the practice squad.

DL Dominique Hamilton:

-With the defensive line pretty thin to start the year the Redskins will likely to to have some additional depth on their practice squad. Just two of their players in camp among defensive linemen are even practice squad eligible. Hamilton was on it last year and could get a 2nd invite this year as well.

OLB Ricky Elmore:

-Similar to the defensive line, the outside linebacker depth will be a little thinner to start the year given Rob Jackson’s suspension. The Redskins could look into the possibility of keeping only one back-up outside linebacker (Brandon Jenkins) the first four weeks, in an effort to add some temporary depth elsewhere. This could work for the Redskins as they perhaps would want an additional safety if Brandon Meriweather isn’t fully recovered from his knee  injury.

Sidenote:

The Redskins will likely be looking to pick up a defensive back off some other team’s cut list to make their practice squad. While of course they will look for guys at any number of positions, the Redskins probably want some extra DB’s this season. There is just too much uncertainty with guys coming back from injuries and others being ineffective. This is assuming that Chance Minnifield makes the team, because otherwise he would be the top PS candidate. Outside of him though the Redskins don’t have many secondary players with practice squad eligibility.

Who do you think will make it?