Washington Redskins: Grading the Strength of Every Unit Heading into Camp

The Washington Redskins made headlines this offseason between their blockbuster trade for the rights to Robert Griffin III and the cap penalties assessed for violations during the uncapped year. While they are relevant to the approaching season, they overshadow the progress the team has made between the past two drafts and solid free-agent signings.

Mike Shanahan hasn't been perfect in his two years as head coach, but the direction he has the team moving offers hope for a downtrodden fanbase.

With training camp fast and approaching, there are plenty of intriguing positional battles to look forward to. Nothing is written in stone on the depth chart, but here's how each unit grades for the Redskins heading into camp.

Special Teams: D

To say the Redskins have had spotty special teams play over the past several years would be an understatement. Just last season the unit saw blocked kicks, missed chip shot field goals, and a lack of effective kick and punt returning.

Sav Rocca was one of the better punters in the NFL, and for the Redskins in recent memory, but one phase is not enough to succeed on a regular basis.

Graham Gano can't be blamed for the lapses in blocking that led to five blocked kicks last season, but he was 13-of-20 between 30 and 49 yards last season. The Redskins signed Neil Rackers to compete with Gano, which could spell the end for Gano in Washington.

The return game isn't abysmal, but Brandon Banks needs to use vision in tandem with his blistering speed, as opposed to just running fast and hoping to hit the edge before oncoming tacklers do. Jordan Bernstine could make a push with his experience returning kicks.

Defensive Line: B+

In the 3-4, when the defensive line does it job, you don't typically hear about it. That being said, there are plenty of reasons to be excited for this unit heading into training camp.

Barry Cofield improved as the season progressed, Adam Carriker had one of the best seasons of his career, and Stephen Bowen battled a partially torn PCL to tally a career-high 6.5 sacks. The exciting part of the defensive line is the depth and potential for a New York Giants-style rotation.

Jarvis Jenkins suffered a torn ACL in preseason but showed a ton of promise leading up to the injury, and he looks even better in recovery. Chris Neild had two sacks in the season opener last year and had good showings in relief duty throughout the year.

It remains to be seen if the defensive line can be the space-eating, trench-controlling unit an elite 3-4 defense needs, but it definitely has the potential.

Linebackers: A

This is easily one of the strongest positions for the Redskins due to the combination of youth with experience and playmaking ability.

London Fletcher led the NFL in tackles and is back for more after signing what amounts to a two-year deal.

Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan have the potential to be an intimidating pass-rushing tandem and could turn in 15 sacks apiece under the right conditions.

The second inside linebacker spot is likely to go to Perry Riley after he supplanted Rocky McIntosh, but rookie Keenan Robinson is talented and hungry. Veteran Jonathan Goff brings experience and depth inside, but there is a lack of dependable depth on the outside.

Rob Jackson is serviceable as a backup, but doesn't bring the same ability that Orakpo or Kerrigan do. On starting talent alone, the Redskins linebackers are among the best in the NFL, but the lack of capable depth is worrisome.

Secondary: C

The Redskins secondary has been pieced together this offseason, and aside from DeAngelo Hall and Josh Wilson as the starting corners, there is no certainty as to how the depth chart will shake out. The team drafted a few players, signed some veterans and brought in a couple of undrafted free agents, none of which offer any immediate stability.

The safety position is essentially up for grabs and will likely fall to Brandon Meriweather and Madieu Williams, who are on one-year tryout deals.

Reed Doughty returns as the consummate backup safety—capable but not an elite player. DeJon Gomes got some experience last season, but is not starting material. Tanard Jackson has personal issues to work through, missing a year of football after a substance abuse suspension.

Cedric Griffin should be a good nickel corner, and he could spend some time at safety if necessary. Undrafted rookie Chase Minnifield should make the roster and could work his way into regular duty if Kevin Barnes doesn't showed marked improvement.

New position coach Raheem Morris could surprise if he can get the most out of the secondary.

Offensive Line: C

Aside from right guard Chris Chester, the Redskins offensive line is coming off a season of bad luck. Franchise left tackle Trent Williams is a substance abuse violation away from a year-long suspension, left guard Kory Lichtensteiger is coming off a major knee injury, center Will Montgomery is average, and right tackle Jammal Brown has struggled in the zone-blocking scheme.

For once, however, the Redskins have an ample supply of depth along the offensive line, even if they're all inexperienced and untested.

Erik Cook may be out of a job if undrafted free agent Chris Garner outshines in him camp. Willie Smith and Maurice Hurt played well down the stretch but need to show continued improvement to press for playing time. Rookies Tom Compton and Adam Gettis are capable but are likely to end up on the practice squad.

Maybe the poor play was a product of injuries and missed games, but until it shows otherwise, this unit is unspectacular. That is not what you want with a rookie quarterback in the mix.

Tight Ends: A-

On talent alone, the Redskins tight ends are among the best groups in the NFL.

Fred Davis showed his ability to make big plays and stretch the field while making the most of mismatches over slower linebackers and smaller safeties. Davis was on pace for nearly 1,000 yards, but his substance abuse suspension is troubling. He claims it won't be an issue ever again, but that remains to be seen.

Chris Cooley is coming off a knee injury but has recovered almost completely. His issue is a loss of speed despite losing 20 pounds in the offseason. Niles Paul has been transitioning from receiver to tight end but isn't likely to be featured at the position. Logan Paulsen is still the most capable blocker of the bunch and is an underrated receiver.

At their best, the Redskins tight ends are productive, but the prospect of injuries and potential for suspension in Davis' case are concerns.

Wide Receivers: B-

The Redskins wide receivers may be one of the more interesting units heading into training camp because of the potential for greatness but largely unknown nature of the group. You would be hard-pressed to find the unquestioned No. 1 receiver on the depth chart, but that doesn't mean there are plenty of capable players.

Pierre Garcon is a lock to start, with Leonard Hankerson likely occupying the second receiver spot. Santana Moss shed weight to recapture the spring in his step and will be the go-to slot receiver. Josh Morgan could push for a big role if he can prove he is fully recovered from a broken leg from last season.

Anthony Armstrong can be a deep threat, but injuries and inconsistency landed him in the coach's doghouse last season. Terrence Austin is talented, but his size limits him to slot work.

The level of talent is impressive, but a lot is riding on the development of chemistry with Robert Griffin III and full comprehension of the offensive playbook. The Redskins might have the right personnel to spread the field the way Kyle Shanahan intended.

Running Backs: B+

There is always room for improvement, but until the Redskins take the field, we won't know how much better their backfield is from last season. Roy Helu and Evan Royster were great as rookies and showed great potential as a one-two punch running the ball. The re-signed Tim Hightower has to fully recover but has been productive as part of a rotation in the past.

Rookie Alfred Morris might have the inside track to make the roster over Hightower on health alone, but he could straddle the regular roster and the practice squad. Mike Shanahan took his time in handing a full workload to Helu and Royster, and he may do the same with Morris.

The Redskins running backs may not have amazing speed, but they are productive, young and talented. Royster has shown a stinginess in going down, and Helu's feet never stop moving between his cut, leaping over would-be tacklers and battling for a few extra yards.

Quarterbacks: C+

If not for Robert Griffin III, the Redskins would unequivocally fail at the quarterback position. Rex Grossman's experience in the offense is not enough to warrant an unquestioned role as the team's backup, and the desire to make Kirk Cousins appealing trade bait might be the deciding factor when it comes to depth.

Griffin is the unquestioned starter, and if he can achieve as a rookie a fraction of what he did in college, this season will be entertaining.

A lot of Griffin's success depends on how well he functions in the offense, which he has been working on with Kyle Shanahan since before the draft. Chemistry with receivers is key, but if Pierre Garcon can approach 1,000 yards catching passes from Curtis Painter, among others, he'll be productive with Griffin. His mobility is great, not just for running but moving the pocket and extending the play.

Steve Young and John Elway had great success with Mike Shanahan working with them. Griffin is different kind of player with some of the same qualities Shanahan has groomed in the past.