Projected 53 man roster after 1st Preseason Game:

Redskins Personnel Washington Commanders

QB (3): Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins, Colt McCoy

-Obviously there is no surprise with having RGIII and Cousins on this list, but some would probably question the inclusion of Colt McCoy. The Redskins would be wise to keep a 3rd QB, both for insurance purposes and just having a guy who has a little bit more experience in the league to help out.

RB (4): Alfred Morris, Roy Helu Jr., Evan Royster, Lache Seastrunk

-Most people will say the Skins should only keep 3 backs, but there are just way too many injuries at this position. It’s also unlikely that Seastrunk could be counted on this season to be a number 1 or 2 back. Morris and Helu are locks of course to make the team and Seastrunk as a rookie with a lot of upside will probably lock up a spot as well. The 4th spot will come down to Royster, Chris Thompson and Silas Redd. Thompson’s skill set is very similar to Seastrunk, and his injury concerns could make it tough for him. Redd has been interesting, but Royster has more experience and is more versatile.

FB (1): Darrel Young

-This is perhaps the easiest decision on the roster as Young is a very good FB and a huge part of Alfred Morris‘s success.

TE (3): Jordan Reed, Logan Paulsen, Niles Paul

-The Redskins will likely keep just 3 TE’s, making this decision incredibly easy. Reed is the best pass catcher and weapon, Paulsen the best blocker and Paul the best special teamer. Ted Bosler and Mike Caussin will compete for spots, but barring an injury it will be very tough to crack the line-up.

WR (6): Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson, Andre Roberts, Santana Moss, Ryan Grant, Aldrick Robinson

-The Redskins seem pretty likely to keep 6 WR’s. Currently the top 3 spots are locks, and it is pretty likely that both Santana Moss and Ryan Grant make this roster. That leaves just one spot at this point. So far it appears to be Aldrick Robinson’s spot to lose, but things could get interesting if Leonard Hankerson can come off the PUP list before the season starts. If he does, he will likely get the 6th spot. If Hankerson starts the year on PUP then Robinson will be the 6th WR.

OL (9): Trent Williams, Shaun Lauvao, Kory Lichtensteiger, Chris Chester, Tyler Polumbus, Morgan Moses, Mike McGlynn, Josh LeRibeus, Spencer Long

-The 5 starters appear to be set and even though there are still some questions marks, none of the back-ups appear ready to make the jump. The Redskins could go with 8 OL, but they could use the extra depth. While they could also consider keeping 10 OL, that seems unlikely given some of the other position breakdowns. As for the back-ups rookie 3rd rounders Morgan Moses and Spencer Long should be locks to make it. As should back-up C/G Mike McGlynn given that he has the most time at center in the NFL of anyone on the Redskins roster (including Lichtensteiger). That leaves just one spot up for grabs and it will likely come down to one of three 3rd year guys, (LeRibeus, Adam Gettis, and Tom Compton), with Josh LeRibeus being the most likely to get the nod.

DL (6): Jason Hatcher, Barry Cofield, Chris Baker, Jarvis Jenkins, Kedric Golston, Clifton Geathers

-Given some injury questions it might make sense to keep 7 DL, but right now it looks like they will go with 6. Hatcher, Cofield, Baker and Jenkins are locks. Golston is a solid back-up, team leader and special teamer so he’s likely to make it all well. That leaves just one spot that could come down to 4 or 5 different guys. Right now Geathers size and run stopping ability could give him an edge. Stephen Bowen is an interesting guy to watch and right now he could start the year on PUP list. Also the team may opt to cut ties with him given the massive contract he’s due to save a little money.

LB (9): Brian Orakpo, Keenan Robinson, Perry Riley, Ryan Kerrigan, Trent Murphy, Rob Jackson, Adam Hayward, Akeem Jordan, Darryl Sharpton

-9 linebackers are a lot, but with question marks at the ILB spots and the need for as many special teams upgrades as possible, will probably make the Skins keep 9 guys. The outside linebackers are pretty set now that Brandon Jenkins has been cut. Inside Riley and Robinson are locks for roster spots. Adam Hayward’s special teams value makes him extremely likely to make it as well. That leaves vets Jordan and Sharpton challenging 2nd year LB Will Compton for the final two spots. Though Compton has been somewhat interesting to watch in camp, it probably makes more sense to go with the vets and try to stash Compton on the PS.

CB (5): DeAngelo Hall, David Amerson, Tracey Porter, Bashuad Breeland, E.J. Biggers

-If the Redskins find another roster spot (perhaps 5 WR’s or just 3 backs), they could keep a 6th corner and have either Chase Minnifield or Richard Crawford make this team, but right now I don’t see that being an option. If they keep 5, 3 spots (Hall, Amerson, Breeland) are pretty much locked. Porter is likely locked into a spot as well, though some injury and production questions could cause the Redskins to cut ties with him, but that is still pretty unlikely. Given though some of the injury questions surrounding Porter and the youth of Breeland, the veteran E.J. Biggers probably has a leg up for the 5th corner spot.

S (4): Ryan Clark, Brandon Meriweather, Phillip Thomas, Trenton Robinson

-Right now this is tough to say since both Ryan Clark and Phillip Thomas have both missed some time, but I think the Redskins only keep 4 safeties since the talent level doesn’t really justify keeping 5. This is where E.J. Biggers versatility helps make the decision making a bit easier. Thomas needs to get back on the field to earn a job, but the Skins surely don’t want to give up on a 4th rounder this quickly. The final safety spot will be interesting, but Trenton Robinson could have the edge given his special teams ability.

K (1): Zach Hocker

-I don’t think this is a lock and I really do like Kai Forbath, but right now it seems like Hocker has the edge. Not only did he have a better preseason game, but the reports are that the ST coach handpicked Hocker in the draft. Forbath is still in this, but I don’t see this being a two kicker situation so, someone is going to have to win this job.

P (1): Robert Malone

-The reports aren’t exactly glowing on Malone, but then again they aren’t glowing on his competition Blake Clingan either. I really wouldn’t be shocked to see the Redskins checking the waiver wire when other teams are making their cuts.

LS (1): Nick Sundberg

-Barring an injury this is clearly a lock for Sundberg to make the team.


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