Washington Redskins: Immediate 53-Man Roster Cut Predictions Post-Tampa Bay Game
Closing out the preseason slate with a 24-10 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Washington Redskins have one last order of business: to finalize their 53-man roster.
Coming off a Week 4 game that served as a showcase for the backups vying to make the team, which bubble players played their way on and off the Redskins roster?
Let's find out.
Here are the immediate postgame 53-man roster predictions for the Redskins.
Quarterback (3)
1 of 9
Starter: Robert Griffin III
Backups: Kirk Cousins, Colt McCoy
Although Kirk Cousins is viewed as a starter in the eyes of some, it's a role, barring injury, he'll have to fulfill on another team. Since his arrival in Washington, head coach Jay Gruden has been steadfast in his support of Robert Griffin III as his starting quarterback.
With that said, the lone question surrounding this position revolves around Colt McCoy.
It's become in vogue for teams to carry only two quarterbacks. Throwing for 321 yards against Tampa Bay, McCoy did his best to sway the Redskins from continuing this trend.
In light of Griffin's injury history, as well as any potential trade interest in Cousins, McCoy's position on the team should be secure.
With all three quarterbacks carrying starting experience, albeit with different levels of success, this position is one of the deepest on the team.
Running Back (5)
2 of 9
Starter: Alfred Morris
Backups: Roy Helu Jr., Chris Thompson, Silas Redd, Darrel Young (FB)
One of the most highly contested battles in camp, it's hard for Washington to go wrong with any of its potential selections.
That assessment applies to Chris Thompson, who appears to have earned his way onto the Redskins' roster, despite dealing with an ankle injury that's hampered him all preseason. Tallying four receptions for 41 yards in his return to action, Thompson showcased his ability to be a third-down back in Gruden's offense. Boasting a similar style of play, Thompson's ascension to the 53-man roster means that rookie Lache Seastrunk's efforts will only land him on the practice squad.
Although he displayed an ability to catch the football in the preseason finale, scoring on an 80-yard touchdown pass, Seastrunk remains a work in progress in pass protection.
The final running back spot likely comes down to a choice between Silas Redd or Evan Royster, two players who run with a hard-charging style similar to featured back Alfred Morris.
Starting against Tampa Bay, Royster flunked his opportunity to secure a roster position, rushing for only five yards on five touches. In regards to Redd, he saved his best performance for last, as he finished the contest with one touchdown and 87 yards on 15 carries.
Receiver (6)
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Starters: DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Andre Roberts
Backups: Santana Moss, Aldrick Robinson, Ryan Grant
Due to the depth of the position, this group has already seen its share of talented wideouts depart. Even with that said, the fierce competition for the final receiver spot that was expected never commenced.
DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Andre Roberts were already entrenched atop the depth chart, but the return of Leonard Hankerson was supposed to create a dilemma on who would fill out the last spots at the position. Recovering from a torn ACL, though, Hankerson has been on the team's physically unable to perform (PUP) list all preseason.
His place on this list enables Washington to keep him through the first six weeks of the season without using a roster spot. But in light of the play of Santana Moss, Aldrick Robinson and Ryan Grant, Hankerson probably sticks with the team only by injury to one of his fellow receivers.
Not to be forgotten, with his contributions on offense and special teams, Nick Williams is likely to land on Washington's practice squad.
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Tight End (3)
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Starter: Jordan Reed
Backups: Logan Paulsen, Niles Paul
As with the wide receiver position, chalk wins out on the tight end depth chart. As expected, Jordan Reed and Logan Paulsen will head up this unit.
Despite the selection of Ted Bolser, and the fact that he wasn't handpicked by the new regime, Niles Paul should carve out a spot on Washington's roster. With Bolser more similar in style to Paulsen, a blocking tight end, it's Paul who will serve as insurance against an injury to Reed.
A former receiver at Nebraska, Paul's preseason totals of five receptions and 54 yards could entice Gruden to play Reed and Paul together in an effort to duplicate what he did as offensive coordinator in Cincinnati with Tyler Eifert and Jermaine Gresham.
Offensive Line (9)
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Starters: Trent Williams, Shawn Lauvao, Kory Lichtensteiger, Chris Chester, Tyler Polumbus
Backups: Morgan Moses, Josh LeRibeus, Spencer Long, Tom Compton
A weakness of the team a season ago, Shawn Lauvao is the lone newcomer in Washington's starting lineup—although, former guard Kory Lichtensteiger is now at center.
In this projection, with Tevita Stevens missing the cut, the Redskins are without a true center on the roster. However, Gruden did mention after the Ravens game that he views Chris Chester as the backup center:
"Gruden "We feel good with where we are"...says Chester at center is backup. .Orakpo minor ankle sprain. .Moses is minor MCL injury
— ESPN 980 (@ESPNRadio980) August 24, 2014"
Still, this would put the team in a precarious position if an injury were to occur to Lichtensteiger. With no starting experience to speak of, Washington would be particularly weak up the middle if Josh LeRibeus or Spencer Long were unable to handle Chester's vacated guard spot.
As the team looks to make Griffin more of a pocket passer, a scenario such as this could hinder his development.
Defensive Line (6)
6 of 9
Starters: Jason Hatcher, Barry Cofield, Chris Baker
Backups: Jarvis Jenkins, Kedric Golston, Clifton Geathers
The lone pure nose tackle behind Barry Cofield, Chris Neild loses out on a roster spot because of the versatility of Geathers. Additionally, as ESPN 980 notes, he may have suffered a serious injury in the preseason finale:
"So the belief is that Chris Neild has an ACL tear..was told that before that injury he was very likely on w/Geathers off..Now, things change
— ESPN 980 (@ESPNRadio980) August 29, 2014"
While the age and injury history attached to this group could entice the Redskins to keep seven defensive lineman, looming over this unit is the potential return of Stephen Bowen:
"Stephen Bowen still not ready for #Redskins preseason games.. but believes he can be ready for the opener in Houston.. #RedskinsTalk
— Rob Carlin (@RobCarlinCSN) August 21, 2014"
Currently on the PUP list, Bowen's injury status poses quite the dilemma for Washington.
If Washington activates Bowen from this list, he'll count against the team's 53-man roster. But if he is unable to suit up in Week 1, or the later weeks, the team's depth along the defensive line is compromised.
At the same token, if the team exercises caution and keeps him on the PUP list, Bowen won't be eligible to play the first six weeks of the season. Decisions, decisions.
Ultimately, with injuries also being a concern in the secondary, the Redskins can't tie up a roster spot with a player who only might be able to play in the opener.
Linebacker (8)
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Starters: Brian Orakpo, Keenan Robinson, Perry Riley, Ryan Kerrigan
Backups: Trent Murphy, Will Compton, Gabe Miller, Adam Hayward
Despite the signings of Akeem Jordan and Darryl Sharpton, the competition to replace London Fletcher at inside linebacker never materialized.
Going back to OTAs, Keenan Robinson has had the reins of this job. With incumbent starters Brian Orakpo, Perry Riley and Ryan Kerrigan all returning, the team's depth at this position was the lone question mark.
With rookie Trent Murphy and special teams ace Adam Hayward both secure, the battle for the final two rosters spots is between Sharpton, Jordan, Will Compton, Gabe Miller and Everette Brown.
Known to be injury prone prior to his arrival, Sharpton has done little to change his reputation in Washington. Throughout the preseason, he's been hampered by an ankle injury. In his absence, Compton has made a play for his roster spot:
"Will Compton and Bashaud Breeland playing like two young fellas badly wanting to make this team. Big hit on Armstrong to break up the pass.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) August 19, 2014"
In the event Compton makes the team, one would think that Jordan's chances would be bolstered. Due to Robinson's injury history and Compton's lack of experience, Jordan's inability to contribute on passing downs would be overlooked because of his experience as a starter.
But what won't be overlooked is injury:
"Gruden says Akeem Jordan may have sprained ACL or MCL.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) August 29, 2014"
Couple Miller's solid performance to close the preseason—one sack, two tackles and one forced fumble—with this unfortunate news, and Miller garners the final linebacker spot.
Secondary (10)
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Starters: DeAngelo Hall, Ryan Clark, Brandon Meriweather, David Amerson
Backups: Tracy Porter, Bacarri Rambo, Phillip Thomas, Bashaud Breeland, E.J. Biggers, Trenton Robinson
The weak link of the team's defense last season, Washington keeping 10 players at this position group isn't a sign of improvement. In Brandon Meriweather, Tracy Porter and Phillip Thomas, the Redskins have three players who can't be counted on to be available on game days.
Whether Meriweather wins his appeal of his two-game suspension is irrelevant. The reality is, with his history, he's an illegal hit away from being suspended.
In regards to Porter and Thomas, injuries inhibit their ability to stay on the field. For this reason, the likes of Trenton Robinson, Chase Minnifield and Akeem Davis have a chance to make the team. With E.J. Biggers capable of playing both corner and safety, the decision as to which of these three makes the team won't revolve around position preference.
A strong special teams contributor, who was actually listed as the team's backup safety prior to the Tampa Bay game, Robinson gets the edge.
Special Teams (3)
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Kicker: Kai Forbath
Punter: Tress Way
Long Snapper: Nick Sundberg
Robert Malone initially beat out Blake Clingan for the punter job. But rather than declare Malone the starter, the Redskins went out and claimed Tress Way off waivers. Turning in a 51-yard punt against the Baltimore Ravens, Way continued his stellar play against the Buccaneers.
Not only did he register an average of 51.5 yards per punt, he pinned Tampa Bay inside the 20-yard line on both his punts.
In response, Malone's lone punt netted 31 yards. While it's a small sample size, Way has done enough to usurp Malone for the punter job.
Locked in a tight-knit competition, both Zach Hocker and Kai Forbath made the most of their field-goal attempts through the first three games. Forbath made 3-of-4 attempts while Hocker converted both of his tries.
Entering the contest against Tampa Bay, one kicker finally slipped. On his lone attempt, Hocker missed a 39-yard field goal. With the place kickers relatively even throughout the preseason, Forbath's experience is the deciding factor.
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