Washington Redskins' Final 53-Man Roster: Who Makes the Cut?

Admittedly so, it is a little too early to predict the Redskins' final 53-man roster. However, it's one of the great conversation pieces of the offseason. 

Guys have yet to demonstrate anything in camp, but stemming from performances of seasons past and the projection of the team's rookies, it's acceptable to start brewing up ideas. 

Here is a prediction of the final 53-man roster broken down by position. 

Quarterback

Shanahan will likely go against his grain a bit in 2012 and carry three quarterbacks on his roster, rather than the typical two. 

Second overall pick Robert Griffin III has already been named the starter and for good reason. After winning the Heisman Trophy last season and setting unbelievable collegiate records, he's exactly what this town and football team need. 

Fourth-round pick Kirk Cousins is certainly making the roster because placing him on the practice squad would be as good as goodbye. Although not expected to see the field much—if at all—Cousins is a very suitable backup with a positive influence in the locker room. Not to mention, his contract makes him a steal. 

Reluctantly, the Redskins likely hang on to turnover-machine Rex Grossman. Not only is Grossman familiar with the playbook, but he also serves as the veteran presence among dual first-year signal-callers. The question is: How much of a benefit can he really be to the young minds?

Backfield

Including a fullback, I think Shanahan goes into the season with four or five guys in the backfield. 

According to his Twitter account, Tim Hightower has been re-signed after blowing his ACL last season against Carolina. Assuming a full and healthy recovery, Hightower makes this roster based off versatility and intensity.

After a surprising rookie season, expect to see Roy Helu Jr. back with the team. When healthy, Helu proved to be a reliable source on offense—running with good explosiveness and becoming a receiving threat out of the backfield.

Although I'm not completely sold on Evan Royster making the roster just yet, that's not to say I don't think he should. Royster played well enough in his five games last season to show Shanahan some promise in a one-cut scheme, but his roster spot could depend on how Shanny views the other young guys and how they fit as runners. As early as it is, I'll say Royster is in. 

I'd like to say Darrel Young is back as the team's fullback next season, but rookie draft pick Alfred Morris could make camp interesting. Although the team could very well keep both, it depends solely on how Shanahan views Morris in the offense. Is he primarily a runner or primarily a blocker?

In -- Hightower, Helu, Royster, Morris, Young

Out -- Davis, Creer, Bailey

Wide Receivers

Probably the most crowded position on the team, the battle at wide receiver will be a fun story throughout camp. Although the top-three may seem like "locks," things get hectic following them. 

Free agent signees Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan are as close to guaranteed as you can get. Garcon received a huge payday and Morgan was brought in for specific reasons. 

After spending a third-round pick on him last season and seeing raw talent up until his injury, Leonard Hankerson is making the squad. He's the athletic and sizable target that Griffin will fall in love with. 

With word spreading that he's in the best shape of his life, Santana Moss is coming on strong as a guy that will eventually find his spot on the roster. Although many were quick to sign him off because of his salary hit this season, Moss is coming on strong and can always find a way to become the passer's favorite target. 

He may have spent his rookie season on the practice squad last year, but I think Aldrick Robinson makes a splash in 2012 and ultimately finds his spot. While I will continue to support Terrence Austin and his place on the team, I can see coaches falling harder for Robinson.  

In -- Garcon, Morgan, Hankerson, Moss, Robinson 

Out -- Austin, Armstrong, Hanks, Lewis, Kirkland and Hernandez

Tight End

One of the largest questions entering the season is what the Redskins plan on doing with tight end Chris Cooley. Not only does he seem to be breaking down physically, but his 2012 cap hit isn't exactly front office friendly. 

At this point, I'm predicting that the Redskins surprise some people this season and keep four tight ends based on certain tendencies for each guy. 

Chris Cooley returns healthy enough to compete right away and reliable enough to give Griffin a huge cushion in his first year. 

After disappointing the fans last season with a failed drug test, Fred Davis returns in 2012 on a franchise tag contract and uses it to do what he should—prove that he's a true playmaker in the NFL. 

Logan Paulsen was solid last season, improving as a blocker and even catching some key passes. Because of his work ethic and willingness to develop as a blocker, I think Shanny keeps Paulsen around. 

Finally, the Redskins' most recent hybrid project, Niles Paul, makes the team based on versatility at more than one position. While the Redskins may try Paul at tight end because of his natural physicality, he is also capable of returning kicks and playing the slot. Combine that with his on-field attitude, and he's hard to see walk away. 

In -- Cooley, Davis, Paulsen, Paul

Out -- Quinn, Reliford, Meyers

Offensive Line

After addressing the offensive line with a majority of their draft picks last month, I fully expect the Redskins to take a big group of linemen into the season. 

As for the starting five, I'll go with Trent Williams, Kory Lichtensteiger, Josh LeRibeus, Chris Chester and Jammal Brown. 

While I'm very hard to convince that Jammal Brown can make it through an entire season, I'll continue to keep my fingers crossed. Because of that risk, I see Shanahan keeping both Willie Smith and rookie Tom Compton. 

With perhaps an off-the-wall prediction that rookie Josh LeRibeus is the Redskins' starting center at Week 1, I think it moves Will Montgomery to the backup role and Shanahan hangs onto rookie Adam Gettis for good measure. 

In -- Williams, Licthensteiger, LeRibeus, Chester, Brown, Smith, Compton, Montgomery, Gettis

Out -- Cook, Garner, Hurt, Lee, McCaskill

Defensive Line

Arguably one of the most exciting positions for next season, the Redskins defensive line has the talent do big things in 2012. 

Starting up front will likely be Stephen Bowen and Adam Carriker on the ends with Barry Cofield holding down the nose. 

Shanahan tends to like depth along the trenches, so a good rotation with guys like Jarvis Jenkins, Kedric Golston and Chris Neild makes a lot of sense. No one should be surprised if Jenkins becomes a starter midway through the season. 

In -- Bowen, Cofield, Carriker, Jenkins, Neild, Golston

Out -- Worthington, Scott, Balmer, Baker

Linebackers

It's easy to name at least three of the starters at linebacker, with Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan on the edges and London Fletcher holding down the middle. But the spot alongside Fletcher isn't quite as easy. 

Newly-acquired free agent Jonathan Goff seems like a capable candidate for the position, as does third-year player and former draft pick Perry Riley. Both of those guys should make the team, either as a starter or solid depth. 

The one-man gang Lorenzo Alexander finds himself on the roster, whether it be at linebacker, tight end or kicker. In every sense of the term, Alexander can do it all on a football field. Versatility at its finest. And perhaps even Alexander has his shot at starting inside with Fletcher. 

Fourth-round draft pick Keenan Robinson is expected to make the roster, thanks in large part to his coverage skills and tackling ability. With a starting gig up for grabs, Robinson could surprise some people playing in the middle (as opposed to his outside position in college). 

Shanahan appears to like both Rob Jackson and Chris Wilson as pass-rushers, but I don't think there is room for both of them this season. And coming over the top to beat them both out will be second-year player Markus White. 

In -- Orakpo, Goff, Fletcher, Kerrigan, Riley, Alexander, Robinson, White

Out -- Wilson, Jackson, Lewis, McNally, Holt

Cornerbacks

The Redskins should look similar to last season in terms of starting corners, but not so familiar after those two. 

Joining DeAngelo Hall and Josh Wilson as the team's starting corners will be undrafted free agent Chase Minnifield, as well as last year's practice squad player Brandyn Thompson and this year's draft choice Richard Crawford. 

Because Shanahan has versatility and veterans throughout the secondary as a whole, he can somewhat afford to go in with young guys at corner. 

Unfortunately, Kevin Barnes finds himself on the outside looking in, and veteran free agent Cedric Griffin nabs a spot. 

In -- Hall, Wilson, Minnifield, Thompson, Crawford, Griffin 

Out -- Barnes, Torrence, Bernstine

Safety

The safety position was a huge need going into the offseason and the front office decided to address it in free agency by signing veterans. 

I would expect both recently-signed safeties Brandon Meriweather and Tanard Jackson to make the cut. Despite Meriweather already earning himself a DUI in Virginia, his contract keeps him around. And fans have the right to be a little excited about Jackson's reunion with coach Raheem Morris. 

Backing up those guys will be second-year player DeJon Gomes and the always-present Reed Doughty. 

However, because veteran corner Cedric Griffin has the ability to play some safety, either Gomes or Doughty could find themselves battling for a roster spot. For now, we'll keep them both. 

In -- Meriweather, Jackson, Gomes, Doughty

Out -- Williams, Bellamy, 

Special Teams

Although signing Neil Rackers provides competition, it's not enough to beat out Graham Gano. 

Sav Rocca returns to his All-Pro ways and continues to boot punter for the 'Skins. 

Because of guys at other positions and the versatility they provide, fan-favorite Brandon Banks unfortunately doesn't make the cut. 

Nick Sundberg returns as the team's long-snapper for now. 

In -- Gano, Rocca, Sundberg

Out -- Banks