Washington Redskins Post-Draft Depth Chart

The post-draft depth chart for the Washington Redskins is most intriguing at the running back and safety positions. The team's haul in the 2013 NFL draft has created some intense competition at both areas.

Similar competition could be brewing at tight end. The Redskins valued the position enough to use a third-round pick to add a new face to the mix.

Here's how the Redskins' depth chart looks post-draft.

1. Quarterback

Starter: Robert Griffin III

The easiest position to call on the team will continue looking strong, as soon as Robert Griffin III's official return date is confirmed.

The Redskins will try to limit Griffin's exposure to punishment after his knee surgery. However, they must strike the right balance between protecting Griffin and maintaining what made him successful as a rookie.

Key Depth: Kirk Cousins

Kirk Cousins didn't let anybody down when he was pressed into service last season. That's encouraging, considering 2012's fourth-round pick may be needed again this term.

Cousins' play-action skills and deep ball looked good in flashes last season. That should mean the basis of the Shanahan offense will stay the same if Cousins comes in for Griffin again.

On the Fringe: Pat White, Rex Grossman

Pat White should win the right to the third quarterback spot over Rex Grossman. White's option experience gives him a massive edge, despite Grossman's knowledge of the Shanahan system.

2. Offensive Line

Starters: Trent Williams, Kory Lichtensteiger, Will Montgomery, Chris Chester, Tyler Polumbus

Ignoring the position in the draft indicates Shanahan is happy with his offensive line, particularly his starters. The group has improved and shows signs of dominance in the running game.

That dominance is led by left tackle Trent Williams and left guard Kory Lichtensteiger. The entire line benefits from the steady, savvy play of center Will Montgomery.

Right tackle is always a question mark. However, Tyler Polumbus didn't disgrace himself or the team in 2012 and knows the zone scheme well.

Performance in pass protection will define this group in 2013. However, last year's starters look solid enough heading into the new season.

Key Depth: Adam Gettis, Maurice Hurt, Josh LeRibeus, Jeremy Trueblood, Xavier Nixon

Depth remains very much a work in progress. It's significant the Redskins brought in veteran castoff Jeremy Trueblood and moved quickly to sign rookie free agent Xavier Nixon. (per DC Pro Sports Report)

Trueblood and Nixon will compete to win roles as the primary backup tackles. Nixon was a starting left tackle in the SEC and has good zone-blocking skills.

Inside, Maurice Hurt is a capable reserve guard, and Josh LeRibeus can fill in at any of the three interior positions.

On the Fringe: Tony Pashos, Tom Compton, Pat Boyle

Pashos was out of football in 2012, and the 32-year-old may have a tough time surviving at a young position group. However, the veteran does have experience starting at both tackle spots in the NFL.

Compton was on the practice squad last season after being drafted in 2012. He and untested youngster Boyle will face a tough task making the full roster.

3. Wide Receiver

Starters: Pierre Garcon, Josh Morgan, Leonard Hankerson

The Redskins are still well-stocked at wide receiver after the draft. Last year's free-agent acquisitions Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan will lead the group.

Hopefully both can stay injury-free this time around. The third spot is a little more unclear, but a strong camp showing from Leonard Hankerson should win him the job.

The 2011 rookie has been inconsistent from day one. However, for all his issues, Hankerson has shown glimpses of brilliance. He fits the mold of a Shanahan-style, big receiver.

Key Depth: Santana Moss, Aldrick Robinson

Even in the declining years of his pro career, Santana Moss remains a stellar pass-catcher. He's still effective from the slot and dangerous in the red zone.

Moss will again force his way into playing time in 2013 and make it impossible for the coaches to forget him. Aldrick Robinson was a useful deep threat in 2012 and gives the Redskins a real burner at the position.

He'll no doubt be pushed for his spot, but Robinson's ability to stretch the field should keep him around.

On the Fringe: Dezmon Briscoe, Darius Hanks

Dezmon Briscoe shouldn't stay on the roster for too long. He only received limited opportunities in 2012 and didn't make the most of them.

4. Tight End

Starter: Fred Davis

Fred Davis should enter the season as the starter, but he'll face real competition this term. Davis missed nine games in 2012 due to an Achilles injury and was suspended for four games in 2011.

He is capable of being one of the best in the league at his position. However, he doesn't reveal that capability often enough.

Davis is on a short-term deal, and this is surely his final chance to prove he merits a lengthy contract from the Redskins.

Key Depth: Jordan Reed, Logan Paulsen, Niles Paul

Of course the Redskins won't give Davis a bumper new deal if rookie Jordan Reed pans out. He offers similar skills as a receiver and should see plenty of playing time.

Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan should have fun moving Reed around the formation to create problems. If Reed works out the Redskins have the makings of a dangerous two-tight end set.

Neither Reed or Davis are defined by their blocking, although neither really has to be. However, it's good to have a blocker at the position, and that's why Logan Paulsen stays valuable.

He also commands respect for his efforts attempting to assume the receiving role after Davis was lost for the season.

The arrival of Reed and retention of Davis could reduce Niles Paul's playing time to next to nothing. The ex-wideout is still raw at the position, but is solid on special teams.

On the Fringe: DeAngelo Peterson

Untried youth DeAngelo Peterson seems destined for the practice squad, given the increased competition at his position.

5. Running Back

Starter: Alfred Morris

Alfred Morris will rightly lead the way after his stunning debut season. The powerful, quick-thinking zone-runner takes a lot of punishment, but is a dominant workhorse.

It's those behind Morris that make the running back depth chart fascinating.

Key Depth: Evan Royster, Chris Thompson, Roy Helu Jr.

Evan Royster was the primary backup in 2012, but his position will come under serious threat from Chris Thompson. The fifth-round pick offers greater speed and more third-down versatility.

Thompson's third-down skills could really be bad news for Roy Helu Jr. The player the Redskins traded up to select in 2011 has tumbled down the depth chart in the last year.

Helu hasn't been helped by injuries. He missed 13 games in 2012 and had offseason foot surgery. Shanahan talked about Helu's own third-down ability, but he needs to be on the field to prove it.

On the Fringe: Jawan Jamison

Nobody's really on the fringe in a running back rotation on a Mike Shanahan-coached team, not even a seventh-round rookie.

Jawan Jamison will see a lot of competition in front of him. However, he has the zone instincts and workhorse capability to move up the pecking order.

He could offer a real challenge to Royster as the runner who eases some of the burden on Morris.

6. Defensive End

Starters: Stephen Bowen, Jarvis Jenkins

Things look good at defensive end, particularly among the starters. Stephen Bowen should have gone to the Pro Bowl last season and has been a superb free-agent signing.

Youngster Jarvis Jenkins showed a good deal of promise in his first action in the pros. He's particularly stout against the run.

Key Depth: Adam Carriker, Kedric Golston

The Redskins were smart to bring back Kedric Golston. He's another strong player against the run and always gives maximum effort.

Adam Carriker missed 14 games in 2012 after tearing a quad tendon. He's an effective pass-rusher up front when healthy and has thrived as a 3-4 end.

However, he reportedly endured a "setback" in his recovery, according to The Washington Post's Mark Maske. That and Jenkins' improvement puts Carriker's place under threat.

On the Fringe: Phillip Merling, Doug Worthington

Phillip Merling and Doug Worthington have good 3-4 size and experience. They figure to just be backup players, although Merling might push for more.

7. Nose Tackle

Starter: Barry Cofield

Barry Cofield is another Redskins defensive lineman who didn't get the credit he deserved in 2012. He is quietly becoming a highly accomplished 3-4 anchor.

Key Depth: Ron Brace, Chris Baker, Chris Neild

Depth at nose tackle should see an interesting three-way battle between Ron Brace, Chris Baker and Chris Neild. The Redskins signed Brace this offseason, and he knows the scheme well.

He can also play end in the 3-4 but has the size to hold the middle. Size is certainly not something Baker lacks.

However, his game is marred by inconsistency. Neild by contrast, is a high-effort player, but can't offer the same force Baker is capable of.

On the Fringe: Chigbo Anunoby, Dominique Hamilton

Chigbo Annouby and Dominique Hamilton are two big-bodied youths who will find it hard to crack a tough-looking rotation.

8. Outside Linebacker

Starters: Brian Orakpo, Ryan Kerrigan

If Brian Orakpo can return to his best, this will be one of the strongest positions on the team. Orakpo was sidelined for 14 games in 2012 with a pectoral injury.

However, he's entering a contract year and needs to show he can dominate on a regular basis. Kerrigan carried the load in Orakpo's absence, and the strain began to show as the season wore on.

However, 2011's first-round choice has an innate knack for making big plays. He's also a technically accomplished rush linebacker.

Key Depth: Rob Jackson, Darryl Tapp, Brandon Jenkins

Depth took a hit when Rob Jackson received a four-game suspension . However, signing veteran pass-rusher Darryl Tapp was a smart move.

The Redskins were also right to add a rush end in the draft. Fifth-rounder Brandon Jenkins needs to prove his health after being kept out of action for most of 2012 with a Lisfranc injury.

However, he has the rush skills to be a factor in the rotation. The Redskins have given themselves options in case there are further issues with Orakpo or Jackson.

On the Fringe: Roddrick Muckelroy, Ricky Elmore

It would be a shock if either Roddrick Muckelroy or Ricky Elmore makes the full roster surrounded by this caliber of competition.

9. Inside Linebacker

Starters: London Fletcher and Perry Riley

London Fletcher and Perry Riley remain a pair of quality starters. Both are highly productive at the heart of the Redskins' 3-4 defense.

However, both will also be free agents after 2013, and Fletcher will be 38 before this season begins.

Key Depth: Keenan Robinson, Bryan Kehl

Given the element of uncertainty surrounding their starters, the Redskins should perhaps be concerned about their depth at inside linebacker.

Keenan Robinson looked like a shrewd draft pick in 2012. However, he missed most of his rookie campaign through injury.

Veteran Bryan Kehl is useful on special teams, but doesn't offer much to the base defense.

On the Fringe: Marvin Burdette

The Redskins added Burdette as an undrafted free agent, according to AL.com's Drew Champlin. He'll have every chance of making the roster and playing a part on special teams.

The Redskins need another body at inside linebacker, and the active Burdette could be it.

10. Cornerback

Starters: DeAngelo Hall, Josh Wilson, David Amerson

Things look brighter at cornerback after the Redskins used their second-round pick on David Amerson. He'll begin as the third corner, and given how often that player is on the field, he's listed among the starters.

DeAngelo Hall will retain a starting berth and still move inside in nickel situations. The steady Josh Wilson will remain on the other side, but must improve on a subpar 2012 showing.

Key Depth: E.J. Biggers, Richard Crawford

E.J. Biggers joined as a free agent and is familiar with secondary coach Raheem Morris. He also fits the Redskins' desire to get bigger at the position.

Last season's late-round draftee Richard Crawford became a willing, valuable contributor down the stretch. He should remain in the rotation.

On the Fringe: Chase Minnifield, Jerome Murphy

A rookie free agent in 2012, Chase Minnifield didn't see any action thanks to the injury that kept him from being drafted. if he can get healthy, Minnifield could contribute.

However, the crowd has grown during his time out, and he now faces an uphill battle to make the roster. The same is true for former St. Louis Rams third-round pick Jerome Murphy.

11. Safety

Starters: Phillip Thomas, Brandon Meriweather

Phillip Thomas has a great opportunity to claim a starting berth as a fourth-round draft choice. He has the ball skills and knack for playmaking the Redskins simply have to have at safety.

Thomas will win the job and be penciled in as the ostensible strong safety. He played free safety in college, but at 6'1" and 210 pounds, he has the size to shift across.

Brandon Meriweather should occupy the free safety spot, provided he rebounds well from a torn ACL. Partnering him with Thomas gives the Redskins two opportunistic cover men and fierce hitters at safety.

Moving Thomas to strong will also increase the flexibility at the position. Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett should be able to keep offenses guessing about who will attack the box and who will rotate deep.

Key Depth: Reed Doughty, DeJon Gomes, Bacarri Rambo

Reed Doughty's athletic limitations are well known. However, his willingness to occupy any role and his intelligence make him an important backup.

DeJon Gomes gives the Redskins a big hitter and a more traditional strong safety. The wild card could be sixth-rounder Bacarri Rambo.

He could push for a starting role if he shows polished cover skills in camp.

On the Fringe: Tanard Jackson

Still serving an indefinite suspension, Tanard Jackson may be deemed surplus to requirements before the season kicks off.

12. Kickers

Punter: Sav Rocca

Sav Rocca will continue his duties at punter, although perhaps he shouldn't. He put 22 punts inside the 20-yard line last season. That figure needs to improve.

Kicker: Kai Forbath

The Redskins have had worse kickers in recent seasons than Kai Forbath. He's no Chip Lohmiller, but Forbath did successfully convert 17 of 18 field goals.

As yet, the Redskins haven't signed any undrafted kickers or punters.

The Redskins Look Stronger After the Draft

The Redskins made themselves stronger in the 2013 NFL draft. They did it by improving their options and competition at key areas.

The best picks bolstered the major weaknesses in the secondary. If the Redskins hit on even one of Amerson, Thomas or Rambo, they'll be a better team in 2013.

Shanahan and Bruce Allen were also smart to supplement already strong positions. The competition at running back will be fascinating between now and the start of the season.

Adding another dynamic tight end gives Griffin another weapon. If the Redskins don't want him risking injury, he may have to stay in the pocket more. So it makes sense to get him another target to aim for.

The post-draft depth chart looks good for another run at the NFC East crown.