Final Redskins 53 Man Roster Prediction

Quarterback:(2) Kirk Cousins, Colt McCoy

-With Griffin being benched the right call is to trade or cut him at this point. The Redskins can’t afford to risk a scenario where they could be on the hook for $16.1 million next year and there is no point in having Griffin as a distraction as an inactive QB every week. With the Redskins only needing to keep 2 QBs they can add an extra roster spot elsewhere. I would imagine that they would look to sign a practice squad QB to give them some depth in case Cousins/McCoy suffered an injury.

Running back/Fullback: (4) Alfred Morris, Matt Jones, Chris Thompson, Darrel Young

-With Silas Redd injured this became a much easier race to handicap. Undrafted free agent Trey Williams made an interesting case for a roster spot, but he didn’t beat out Chris Thompson and I don’t think they keep a 5th guy here. The Redskins will definitely look to keep Williams on the practice squad and he could get a call later in the year, but right now I don’t think he’s on the 53 man roster.

Wide Receiver: (6) DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Andre Roberts, Jamison Crowder, Ryan Grant, Rashad Ross

-At the start of camp this seemed like this position was set. The Redskins were returning 4 receivers they were high on, including three good veterans. In addition the Redskins drafted receivers in the 4th and 6th rounds and looked likely to keep them both. Most teams max out at 6 receivers so there didn’t seem to be any room for anyone else. Rashad Ross changed that though, he took advantage of DeSean Jackson and Jamison Crowder missing so much preseason time, which helped bumped Ross up with the 2nd unit. He flashed in every preseason game and shows a lot of development from a year ago. I think he edges out Spencer for the final roster spot. The one caveat would be if the Redskins can flip Ross for a draft pick they could look to trade him and keep Spencer. If they don’t do that I expect Spencer to stick around on the practice squad. He could earn his way on to the team quickly if their continue to be special teams woes on the Redskins.

Tight End: (3) Jordan Reed, Derek Carrier, D.J. Williams

-This is another area that looked to be locked at the start of the camp as the Redskins were going to go with their three veteran TE’s. That all changed with Niles Paul and Logan Paulsen being lost for the season. That led the Redskins to scramble to find TE’s they could actually count on. Jordan Reed is the top TE, but he’s more of a receiving threat than an inline guy so finding guys who can play inline becomes the priority. The Redskins traded for Derek Carrier and I would expect him to quickly become the starting inline TE and when he gets up to speed get the majority of the snaps each week (it might not be for a couple weeks though). The 3rd TE spot should be a battle between Je’Ron Hamm and D.J. Williams. Hamm looked solid in the preseason, but he has a couple of things working against him. He’s a converted WR and isn’t really known as a blocker, which is what the Redskins need here. Hamm also has practice squad eligibility so the Redskins could look to retain him that way and develop him for the future. Williams not only is a better blocker, but he’s also more versatile and can line up in an H-Back role as well.

Offensive Line: (9) Trent Williams, Shaun Lauvao, Kory Lichtensteiger, Brandon Scherff, Morgan Moses, Arie Kouandjio, Spencer Long, Tom Compton, Ty Nsekhe

-The starters are set and rookie G Arie Kouandjio is a lock, beyond that it’s very unclear who might make this roster. It wouldn’t be surprising to see 1 or 2 guys picked up from other teams off waivers to round out the OL. Spencer Long had a rough preseason and the only reason he’s likely to make the squad is the fact that he’s just in his 2nd year and was a 3rd round pick. He’s not 100% safe, but teams typically will give 3rd and 4th round picks at least 2 years before they would cut them. Tom Compton will probably earn a role simply due to his versatility. He’s played some right tackle, left tackle and has worked at guard. In addition the Redskins have used him some as a blocking TE with Logan Paulsen now out. His play hasn’t been good, but the versatility should keep him safe for now. As for the 9th spot it’s very much up in the air, but if they had to pick someone I would guess it is tackle Ty Nsekhe, but honestly this spot could be filled by a waiver wire/free agent claim.

Defensive Line: (7) Jason Hatcher, Stephen Paea, Terrance Knighton, Chris Baker, Ricky Jean-Francois, Kedric Golston, Frank Kearse

-The Redskins rebuilt their DL with three signings and with incumbents Jason Hatcher and Chris Baker, 5 spots were locked up at the start of camp. The Redskins could opt to only keep 6 DL, but I think they will go with 7 given how many injuries typically happen to this unit over the course of a season. Frank Kearse looked good last year at times and should get a spot. Kedric Golston is the longest tenured Redskins player and I think he gets one more year. While he’s not flashy, he’s known as a leader and quality special teams player. That alone should keep his job safe to at least start the year.

Linebackers: (9) Ryan Kerrigan, Keenan Robinson, Perry Riley, Trent Murphy, Preston Smith, Will Compton, Martell Spaight, Jackson Jeffcoat, Houston Bates

-The Redskins top 5 linebackers are set as Kerrigan, Robinson, Riley and Murphy/Smith are all locks. Will Compton dealt with some injuries, but given his play last year I think he gets a spot. As a 5th round pick Spaight is likely to get a roster spot as well. It then becomes a 3-way battle for 2 spots between Jackson Jeffcoat, Houston Bates and Terrance Plummer. All three looked really good in camp/preseason. Jeffcoat has additional experience so he’s probably a bit more likely to make it. That leaves the battle between Bates and Plummer and really the Redskins can’t go wrong either way. Bates really flashed in the preseason and might be slightly more likely to be claimed. He’s also got some natural edge ability which is tough to find so if the Redskins feel they can develop him, they might have a nice pass rusher going forward.

Cornerbacks: (5) Chris Culliver, DeAngelo Hall, David Amerson, Justin Rogers, Deshazor Everett (*Note: Breeland will replace Everett after week 1)

-With Breeland replacing Everett (who will likely head to practice squad) after week one, the top 4 spots on this roster are set. With the 5th corner role up for grabs. Justin Rogers flashed some in camp/preseason as a DB, but the reason why he’s going to get the nod is his special teams play. Throughout preseason he made a couple of really big tackles on special teams and that should earn him a spot.

Safeties: (5) Dashon Goldson, Duke Inhenacho, Jeron Johnson, Trenton Robinson,  Kyshoen Jarrett

-Goldson, Inhenacho and Johnson are all safe, that just leaves two open roster spots. I think Robinson has shown he can play a little as a back-up and is also a good special teams player. Rookie Kyshoen Jarrett has some versatility to play the slot (though it’s doubtful the Redskins would want him in this role as a rookie), and play special teams. If he was an undrafted guy he would maybe lose his spot, but Jarrett’s draft pick status should help him make the roster.

Specialists:(3) K Kai Forbath, P Tress Way, LS Nick Sundberg

-No surprises here the Redskins will return their three specialists from last year. While it would be nice to have a kicker who can get consistent touchbacks, this is a strong trio. Now if the rest of the Special Teams units will pick up their play the Redskins can take advantage of quality specialists.