5 Washington Redskins Players with the Most to Lose in 2013

Entering the 2013 NFL season, there are many players who have already solidified themselves as pillars of the Washington Redskins organization. London Fletcher, Trent Williams and I’d say even Alfred Morris and Robert Griffin III have become faces of the franchise. 

Although these guys are the future of the team, there are some players on the roster who may not make it past this season. Whether it’s their lack of consistency or the fact that they’re getting pushed out by a younger, cheaper player, there are some guys we might not see in the burgundy and gold after this year, or at least not in a starting role anymore.

Brandon Meriweather, S

Brandon Meriweather has had an unfortunate series of events that landed him on this list. 

He was a rather good safety during his days with the New England Patriots, but after a couple of down years with the Chicago Bears, he was released and picked up by Washington. 

Since then, Redskins fans haven’t seen much of him. He’s missed virtually all of the last two NFL seasons with injury, and he may be losing his job heading in 2013. 

Meriweather’s absence last year was one of the biggest reasons why the Redskins had one of the worst secondaries in the NFL. 

To remedy that, they went out and drafted two talented safeties in Bacarri Rambo and Phillip Thomas. Now, word on the street is they are both playing well, and Rambo is even playing with the first team. 

While Meriweather is starting opposite of him for now, if he suffers a setback or even just doesn’t play well, he will be pressured by Thomas for the starting spot. 

Many think that it would be best to just play the two rookies and have Meriweather be a rotational guy to have in some packages. However, if Meriweather can be the talented player that fans saw flashes of last year, then his job will be safe, but he is definitely looking over his shoulder.

Reed Doughty, S

Reed Doughty has found himself in a similar hole as Meriweather. The only difference is that he is (arguably) the least talented safety of the group. 

For now, he is nice to have around as a veteran influence for Thomas and Rambo, but he’s not good for much else than that. He has somehow, someway found a way onto the Redskins roster the past few years, and he just hasn’t done much. 

Now that these two rookies are in town, Doughty could find himself off the field and on the bench in 2013, and possibly not even on the roster after this season. 

If there was ever a time for Doughty to step up big time, it’s now; the clock is ticking.

Adam Carriker, DE

While Adam Carriker has proven he’s a good player, he will have missed close to 30 games in the last two years by the time this season is over. 

His expected replacement, Jarvis Jenkins, was suspended for the first four games for PEDs, leaving a hole at defensive end for the first month of the season. But after that, when Jenkins returns, he will have a chance to prove why he is a worthy replacement at the position for the long term. 

Carriker will be making $4.7 million in 2014, and unless he restructures his deal, Washington may relieve him of his services if Jenkins does in fact surpass him on the depth chart. 

Being a team that should be conserving as much money as they can and spending it in the right areas, they may not see paying Carriker almost five million to sit on the bench (that is, if Jenkins beats him out) as worth it. 

At that point, they could just restructure his contract for the remaining two years to keep him in the defensive line rotation at a reduced price with incentives, which would be a good move overall.

DeAngelo Hall, CB

DeAngelo Hall is the most obvious of all these guys. 

He originally was cut by the team a few months ago but was brought back on a significantly reduced, one-year deal. While he is the starter as of now, rookie corner David Amerson may prove that Hall is just not needed anymore. 

Hall didn’t have a terrible year statistically in 2012, but he was a big reason for too many big plays by the opposition. 

Although he has a better supporting cast this year, he will be 30 by the time the season ends, and his age is starting to show. 

If Amerson keeps impressing and Hall remains inconsistent, Washington may decide to let him walk after this season, although this time it will be for good.

This will be one of the most fun roster battles to watch in Washington this season.

Josh Morgan, WR

Allow me to immediately clarify: Josh Morgan will not be cut any time soon by Washington. He is a great blocker and can make plays when called upon, but his biggest issue is his consistency. 

He drops the ball way too much and will also be seeing much more competition this year. While Pierre Garcon is the obvious top receiver, Morgan might be pushed down the depth chart if youngsters like Leonard Hankerson and Aldrick Robinson can perform at a high level. 

Morgan landed a big contract with the Redskins in free agency a couple of years ago and will be making close to $4 million in 2013. 

For a guy who dropped more than half of the passes thrown his way last season, Morgan definitely has to step his game up and earn his salary. 

Consistency will be key for Morgan in 2013. Otherwise, he could end up as the No. 3 receiver.