5 Washington Redskins Veterans Now on Roster Bubble Following Draft

Change is almost always a good thing for a franchise that's won just seven games in two years. Well, unless you're one of the five candidates for the Washington Redskins' roster bubble on this list.

The writing was scrawled on the wall for this quintet shortly after general manager Scot McCloughan made 10 picks during his first draft in charge. As many as three of those picks could signal the end for a veteran guard who's been the weakest link up front during most of the last four seasons.

Meanwhile, a veteran defensive back has barely had the time to drag down an already struggling secondary. Fortunately, he may never get the chance, since McCloughan topped up the trio of free-agent defensive backs he added earlier this offseason with a pair of first-year cover men.

But the biggest harbinger of doom may yet prove to be the running back McCloughan just couldn't resist in Round 3. The bruising ball-carrier's presence could call time on the career of one versatile speedster wearing burgundy and gold.

Find out which members of Washington's rebuilding roster have been not-so-subtly nudged toward the bubble following the 2015 NFL draft.

Andre Roberts, WR

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

It's easy to feel a little sympathy for Andre Roberts. No sooner had he arrived at Redskins Park last season before then-general manager Bruce Allen was working on a deal for DeSean Jackson.

That deal condemned Roberts to the third receiver role he'd left the Arizona Cardinals hoping to escape. Now McCloughan may have drafted his replacement.

Fourth-rounder Jamison Crowder is a more obvious and natural fit for the slot. He's got greater speed than Roberts, who, while no slouch in that department, rarely stretches inside coverage.

Perhaps more importantly, Crowder is noted for his sure hands. NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein highlighted some of the core qualities Crowder has that Roberts might not offer: "Features point-guard quickness and generally solid hands."

Meanwhile, CBS Sports' Dane Brugler commends Crowder for how he catches the ball: "Snatches the ball well with his hands, preferring to attack instead of letting it get to his body...looks the ball in with innate focus, catching the ball in stride without slowing his momentum."

Drops were an issue for Roberts during his first season with the Redskins. He wasn't the clutch, third-down outlet the team's struggling quarterbacks needed him to be.

That's why Crowder has a great chance to see the field as a rookie. Robert Griffin III is getting the first shot at improving under center, and he still needs a dependable safety valve to help him make quicker reads and throws.

Crowder may be more reliable, and he almost certainly offers better after-the-catch explosion and skills. Brugler also noted how the former Duke dynamo is particularly adept at taking the ball on the run and staying ahead of pursuit.

Considering how Griffin may need plays designed to target safer, short-range reads, a receiver who can consistently turn dump-offs into big gains should be a major boost to the passing game.

That's great news for the quarterbacks but an ominous omen for Roberts. As if it weren't bad enough, Crowder should be an immediate upgrade as a returner.

Head coach Jay Gruden has already talked up Crowder's potential to instantly add some big-play potential in the return game, per CSN Washington's Tarik El-Bashir: “We liked his big-play ability. He can return punts, obviously. He’s going to be instant playmaker for us. That’s going to be a good one.”

The same source notes how Crowder "averaged 13.4 yards on 66 punt returns in four years at Duke. He scored four times."

The Redskins certainly need more impact plays from football's third phase. Crowder appears to have the skills to provide them, only strengthening his case to make the final roster.

Real Redskins blogger Rich Tandler isn't convinced, though. He sees Crowder as Roberts' backup and a receiver who will "find it hard to get very many snaps as a rookie."

But McCloughan didn't bring Roberts to D.C., and the veteran caught just 36 passes in 2014 and missed many assignments. Roberts is still a talented wideout, but if Crowder enjoys a spectacular preseason, there may be little room left for the 27-year-old.

Roberts is set to count for $3.75 million against this year's cap and $5 million against next year's, according to Spotrac.com. If Crowder shines early, McCloughan may save a buck by ditching Roberts and using the extra cash to help resolve the futures of starters Jackson and Garcon next offseason.

Chris Thompson, RB

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

The predraft landscape looked very good for Chris Thompson. He was being given "first crack" to win the job as third-down running back, per Mike Jones of The Washington Post.

Thompson's speed and receiving skills seemed to make him a natural fit for a role this offense desperately misses. The fifth-round pick in 2013 even felt secure enough to suggest the job is his to lose, during an interview with Redskins Nation host Larry Michael, per the team's official site.

But Thompson's optimism may be short-lived following McCloughan's decision to use a third-round pick on Matt Jones. It's not that the ex-Florida workhorse is obvious material for attacking defenses on third downs.

In fact, the 6'2", 231-pounder is more of a brute-force ball-carrier who grinds out yards and punishes defenses between the tackles. But there's one key aspect of Jones' game that could spell trouble for Thompson.

Specifically, he's highly capable in pass protection. Mark Bullock of The Washington Post calls Jones a "good pass protector, perhaps the best in this draft."

This is a skill Thompson simply doesn't possess. The pocket-edition speedster can't compete with Jones' bulk, tenacity and willingness to chip on pass-rushers and meet linebackers and safeties breaking through the line.

Competent supplemental blocking was a major problem for the team that allowed 58 sacks last season. Running backs and tight ends alike struggled mightily winning one-on-one matchups and repelling blitzers.

It's easy to see those factors as a major influence on McCloughan's decision to select Jones.

Of course, even with those blocking skills, Jones isn't going to offer the quickness, moves and flexibility a half-sized playmaker like Thompson can provide. But while he may lack explosion, Jones can still be a factor on third down.

Bullock highlighted a lead draw from a shotgun look as one of Jones' signature plays from his time with the Gators. Using a tough inside runner battering an undersized nickel front that's been spread out to cover a multiple-receiver set, is a smart ploy for any offense, provided the down-and-distance situation isn't prohibitive.

Jones may even feature as a pass-catcher. ESPN's John Keim believes the potential is there for Jones to develop as a receiver, even though his experience is limited: "He caught 19 passes in three seasons at Florida, with 11 coming last season."

Washington may still opt to keep Thompson around because of the contrast in styles he offers to both Jones and starter Alfred Morris. They are physical runners who fit the tougher, smashmouth-style offense McCloughan is building.

It also doesn't help Thompson that his explosive potential as a return man and receiver could now be matched by Crowder.

What could really hurt Thompson, though, is his injury history. He's missed 26 games in two seasons after entering the pros with a backlog of injury problems at the collegiate level.

Unless he can stay healthy and really turn heads during workouts and training camp, Thompson could be gone.

Tracy Porter, CB

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Tracy Porter did little to justify his contract in 2014. The veteran cornerback's debut year at Redskins Park was derailed by injuries that kept him out of 13 games.

On the rare occasions Porter did see the field, he was far from impressive. The 28-year-old made only a single start, made three total tackles and broke up just one pass.

It was all a far cry from what Washington hoped to get after bringing the experienced ball hawk on board last offseason. Porter should've been an invaluable presence in sub-package situations as a cover man capable of both playing outside and operating in the slot.

Porter has always been opportunistic, never afraid to gamble on a potential big play and force the issue to create turnovers. He's also very useful on the blitz, a major asset in any coordinator's pressure schemes.

But even if Porter stays healthy enough to tap back into his core skills, he'll face stronger competition this season. DeAngelo Hall is back from injury and has played the slot in previous seasons, specifically 2012, where he took to the role well.

Hall was a definite starter before tearing the same Achilles twice last season. Now, though, working in the slot may be his best chance to get on the field.

Last season's fourth-round steal Bashaud Breeland has one outside spot locked down. His size and physicality fit the type of punishing secondary McCloughan wants.

Part of that process involved the new GM adding Chris Culliver via free agency. The former San Francisco 49ers ace should start right away in D.C.

That would mean big-bodied 2013 draftee David Amerson losing his job. Yet despite his struggles, the Redskins might not be ready to give up on the 6'1", 205-pounder just yet.

As if the field wasn't crowded enough, Washington used a sixth-round pick on Tevin Mitchel. He's another corner boasting decent size at 6'0", 190 pounds.

Gruden has already indicated Mitchel has a great chance to earn playing time, per CSN Washington's Tarik El-Bashir: “With the measurables that he has, there’s a role for him. He can run.”

It's tough to see Porter and his $3,296,875 cap hit for 2015, per Spotrac.com, fitting into this picture.

Josh LeRibeus, G

Josh LeRibeus ought to be on borrowed time. Since being drafted in the third round in 2012, he's appeared in a mere 12 games, making just one start.

That start and seven of those appearances came last season. LeRibeus' 6'2", 315-pound frame likely kept him around thanks to Gruden's preference for larger road-graders executing power-style blocking.

It's a preference that's now team policy following the arrivals of both McCloughan and new offensive line coach Bill Callahan. Even so, LeRibeus seems far from secure after the former used a fourth-round pick to select Arie Kouandjio.

He's a true power-style guard. While Real Redskins blogger Rich Tandler thinks Kouandjio faces a lot of competition for a roster spot, he does concede the switch to power principles is good news for the ex-Alabama interior mauler.

B/R analyst Michael Felder commends Kouandjio's hard work, drive and physical style. That should give him the edge in any competition with LeRibeus, a player drafted to fit the zone-scheme run by Gruden's predecessor Mike Shanahan.

LeRibeus may not even be able to count his versatility to play center as a point in his favor. That advantage will disappear if seventh-rounder Austin Reiter surprises a few people.

Chris Chester, G

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Without a doubt, no player on the current roster was put on notice by Washington's 2015 draft class as much as Chris Chester. The 32-year-old right guard's position could be threatened by every O-lineman McCloughan took off the draft board.

Chester's problems may begin with Kouandjio, who has starter potential provided his surgically repaired knees hold up. As a powerful drive blocker and pulling guard, the 6'5" 310-pound rookie is a better fit for Callahan's power-based system.

Kouandjio will offer more size than 6'3", 303-pounder Chester. So will 6'5", 311-pound 2014 third-rounder Spencer Long.

The latter is set to compete with Chester for playing time at right guard. It's a position Gruden claims he's happy with, per ESPN's John Keim.

But Kouandjio's arrival means that competition now has a third participant. As the lightest member of the group, Chester could soon find himself the odd man out.

LeRibeus might even join the mix if Reiter makes waves at center. The former's greater size could again count against Chester. So could the veteran's $4.8 million cap hit, per Spotrac.com. Keeping LeRibeus around and letting Chester walk might be a cost-cutting move that appeals to McCloughan.

One other alternative is all four players missing out at right guard in favor of top pick Brandon Scherff. He's so far pencilled in at right tackle, according to Keim.

Yet there are those who believe Scherff is a better fit at guard. During the predraft process, NFL Network's Mike Mayock listed Scherff as a guard and favorably compared him to Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowler Zack Martin (h/t NFL.com's Dan Parr).

Martin made the switch from left tackle to right guard as a rookie pro. Scherff could do the same and solve a problem position for Washington. The Redskins aren't without options at tackle, where re-signed Tom Compton and 2014 third-rounder Morgan Moses will also compete, per 247Sports.com's Jamie Oakes.

Chester has been a weak link up front for too long. He's been particularly vulnerable in pass protection. Now that the Redskins have ample options to replace him, it's tough to see Chester staying around for long.

McCloughan's first draft has reshaped Washington's roster into a tougher, more physical bunch. These five struggling incumbents are under most threat thanks to the new approach.