Redskins roster prediction after Week 3 of camp- Offense

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Quarterbacks: 2- Alex Smith, Colt McCoy

– No changes or surprises here, Smith is entrenched as the starter and Colt McCoy showed week one of the preseason why the Redskins signed him to an extension. While it was a preseason game of basically the Redskins 2nd string offense vs the Patriots 2nd string defense, McCoy moved the Redskins efficiently and showed a complete command of the offense. If Smith were to miss a little time the Redskins have a back-up they can trust to try to keep them in contention. The preseason contest also showed that Kevin Hogan is unlikely to make the team. Hogan would need a fantastic preseason to make the 53 man squad and he just looked flat in the first preseason game. Barring an injury, there looks to be no real chance for Hogan to make this team out of camp.

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Running backs: 4- Rob Kelley, Chris Thompson, Samaje Perine, Byron Marshall

– With the unfortunate injury to 2nd round rookie Derrius Guice, the running back picture became a lot more clear. Prior to the injury it looked like the Redskins would need to cut 1-2 backs out of the group of Guice, Kelley, Thompson, Perine, Marshall and Kapri Bibbs. Those were the six backs with a legitimate chance at making the roster and the Redskins would either have to keep 5 and cut one, or keep 4 and cut two. Barring the Redskins adding another back it seems unlikely now that they would keep five running backs as Thompson, Marshall, and Bibbs are all competing for the lesser half of the platoon role in the backfield. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to keep three 3rd down back specialists.

Kelley and Perine aren’t an exciting pair of running backs for early down work, but there is hope that both are looking better in camp this year. One issue that could determine who starts is Perine’s fumbling problems. In the first preseason game an early whistle prevented a Perine fumble from being called, but it was clearly out of his hands early. As for the battle between Marshall and Bibbs for the back-up 3rd down role, Marshall appears to be ahead and it looks like he brings more natural speed and athleticism to the table.

Wide Receivers: 6- Josh Doctson, Paul Richardson, Jamison Crowder, Maurice Harris, Brian Quick, Trey Quinn

– No surprises here at the top as Doctson, Richardson and Crowder are the clear starters and a pretty good trio that balance one another. There might not be an elite receiver in the group, but those are three good options that make it tough for defenses to match-up against. Maurice Harris has had a very strong camp and a good preseason game and he does appear to have locked up a roster spot as the number 4 receiver.

Robert Davis’ injury clears things up a little bit at the bottom of the depth chart, but a strong showing in the first preseason game by UDFA Cam Sims puts him on the radar for a roster spot as well. Veteran Brian Quick missed the first preseason game due to injury, but he has a lot of things going for him with his size and experience. Seventh round rookie Trey Quinn also makes a strong case as a coaches favorite and a natural slot option with some return ability. Though Sims was impressive in the first preseason game, I think he comes up just short here and develops on the practice squad.

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Tight Ends: 3- Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, Jeremy Sprinkle

– No real change at this position, all three players are locked into their roster spots and general roles with the team. The Redskins don’t have much in the way of depth in camp behind these three so there really isn’t anyone pushing for the Redskins to keep a 4th tight end. I’d expect one or two to end up on the practice squad just for some added depth and use in practice.

Offensive line: 9- Trent Williams, Shaun Lauvao, Chase Roullier, Brandon Scherff, Morgan Moses, Ty Nsekhe, Geron Christian, Tony Bergstrom, Tyler Catalina

– Williams, Lauvao, Roullier, Scherff and Moses all are pretty well locked in as the starters and if they remain healthy could be a really good group this year. The concern of course is that they struggle to stay on the field like a year ago. Williams and Lauvao have had some injury issues in multiple recent seasons. It is a concern that the Redskins left side of the line could miss some time, if both get injured again. Scherff missed some time last year, but has been healthy otherwise and Moses last season showed his toughness playing through a pair of sprained ankles and not missing a game.

The back-ups are a bit more up in the air, though two spots seem secure in offensive tackles Ty Nsekhe and rookie Geron Christian. Nsekhe has been a quality back-up offensive tackle for the last couple of years and if Williams does need to miss a little time he can fill in as a passable LT. Christian was the Redskins 3rd round pick which is why he’s a lock to make the team, but hopefully he won’t be called upon this year as he’s still pretty raw. He had a rough first preseason game and doesn’t seem close to being able to contribute.

That leaves the Redskins with two open back-up spots and one is pretty likely to go to Tony Bergstrom who can back-up both center and guard positions. Bergstrom was signed during the season last year and was forced to play some. He’s had a solid camp, and his versatility makes him a near lock. For the last roster spot I think it’s likely a three man race between OT T.J. Clemmings, T/G Tyler Catalina and G Kyle Kalis. Clemmings probably has the highest upside and profile and has been solid in camp, but while he’s gotten some work at guard he’s primarily a tackle. I think the Redskins could look for another back-up option in the interior and they seem to really be high on Catalina. Catalina can play both guard and tackle so that added versatility helps.