5 Washington Redskins That Must Perform Well This Preseason

Heading into their preseason opener, the Washington Redskins have many guys that they are still evaluating with a keen eye. Whether these guys are rookies, players on the come-up or a veteran fighting for a roster spot in an almost-valiant effort, the jury is still out on some of these men. 

Not much weight is held with how games are played in the preseason, but there is a lot that can be gained for the individual players in these games, win or lose. It’s the difference between having a job and being a former football player. 

In a perfect world, all of these players would show up big time and prove their worth, but this isn’t a perfect world, and neither is the NFL. While their fate with the team will not be decided in this one game, a good start could (and would) give them a leg-up on their competition on the roster.

Phillip Thomas, Safety

Rookie safety Phillip Thomas is currently entrenched in a fierce competition amongst the rest of Washington’s defensive backs. 

Teammate and fellow rookie Bacarri Rambo has seemed to pull ahead of him for one of the safety spots, and as long as Brandon Meriweather is healthy then he should be the other starter. 

Thomas will get plenty of playing time this preseason, and needs to make noise in this first game. 

He will most likely be facing the Tennessee Titans’ backup quarterbacks for the majority of the game, and should do well against Ryan Fitzpatrick and Rusty Smith. 

He was a monster tackler in college, and if he can have some highlight reel hits in the opener then he may start to catch up with Rambo.

Chris Baker, Defensive Line

When news came out that Adam Carriker would be missing the majority of the season after quad surgery, it was third-year pro Jarvis Jenkins that was expected to take his place. 

Well, after being slapped with a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on PEDs, Jenkins will have to get comfortable on the pine for the first month of the season. 

Now, looking ahead, the replacement for Carriker’s replacement has emerged to be second-year lineman Chris Baker. The former nose tackle will have a great opportunity to break into Washington’s defensive line rotation if he performs well in Jenkins’ absence. 

Thursday’s preseason game will be a great chance for coaches and fans to get a good look at Baker, and he could really build some momentum heading into the season with a solid performance in this preseason.

Leonard Hankerson, Wide Receiver

2013 will looks like it will be a make-or-break year for third-year receiver Leonard Hankerson, and expectations are high heading towards the preseason. 

Hankerson has shown a whole lot of potential in his first few years in the league, but he needs to seriously cut down on the drops if he wants to prove to the coaches that he can be a reliable pair of hands for RG3. 

He’s already got veteran receivers Pierre Garcon, Josh Morgan and Santana Moss ahead of him on the depth chart, and speedster Aldrick Robinson is pushing for the fourth receiver spot. Hankerson can earn himself a bigger role in the offense if he does well in the preseason. 

Fortunately, he will have the luxury of playing with one of the league’s best backup quarterbacks in Kirk Cousins, so at least he’ll have a competent guy throwing him the ball. 

This could either be a big year for No. 85, or it will be the year his NFL future gets pretty cloudy. 

Pat White, Quarterback

The former bust of the Miami Dolphins washed ashore in Washington this offseason, and while some see him as filler for the roster, he may end up making the team. 

Pat White was brought in because of what he offers as a mobile quarterback, which is really more “mobile” than “quarterback;” he has not completed a pass in the NFL and has more rushing attempts than passes. 

He left the NFL after suffering a hellacious head injury in 2009, and is hoping to make the Redskins’ roster after a short-lived career in baseball. 

He is competing against veteran quarterback Rex Grossman for the third quarterback spot, and may actually have the edge on him just because of the type of offense Kyle Shanahan runs. 

He will get a good chunk of playing time this preseason and could be a pleasant surprise should he rise to the occasion and prove he’s worth the trouble.

Xavier Nixon, Offensive Tackle

Xavier Nixon, a rookie undrafted free agent, is another guy deeply enveloped in a position battle. He is one of four right tackles on the Redskins’ roster, and will have to showcase his blocking skills early on this preseason if he wants to pull ahead of the others. 

While he has the most upside and athletic ability out of all of them, Nixon wasn’t consistent enough in college for them to feel comfortable with him as a the starter—for now. 

With a big preseason, Nixon could be the next starting right tackle of the Redskins.