Washington Redskins: Training Camp Rookie Progress Reports
They've long signed their contracts and received their playbooks, but for the Washington Redskins' rookies, training camp stands as their "welcome to the NFL" moment.
The speed of the game and strength in competition here are stark reminders to the team's 10 rookies that they're not in college anymore.
How are they handling this new reality, you ask?
Let's find out.
Here are the training camp progress reports for Washington's 2015 NFL draft class.
OT Brandon Scherff
1 of 10
The marquee addition to Washington's porous offensive line, Brandon Scherff enters his first training camp in the scope of high expectations.
He was the first offensive lineman selected in the draft. And in the opinion of CBS Sports' Dane Brugler and Rob Rang, he was one of the most NFL-ready prospects.
A week into training camp, though, Scherff has proved to be no more immune to struggles than the typical rookie.
Head coach Jay Gruden, per CSN Washington's Tarik El-Bashir, deemed Scherff a work in progress. According to the Washington Post's Mike Jones, Ryan Kerrigan has also taken the rookie to task in practice:
"Scherff got schooled a couple of times while facing off with veteran Ryan Kerrigan. The rookie got into position and absorbed initial contact of Kerrigan’s bull-rush, but then got thrown off balance while trying to react to a countermove. Later, Kerrigan blew by Scherff on a speed rush and got into the backfield.
"
True, the expectation for Kerrigan is to win this matchup. He's coming off a 13.5 sack season after all. But consider this: Come Week 1, it'll be the likes of Cameron Wake and Ndamukong Suh lining up across from Scherff. And Chris Long and Robert Quinn after that.
With Trent Williams standing as the alternative on the opposite end, you have to realize Kerrigan is the caliber of player Scherff will often be matched up with on Sundays.
Keeping this in mind, his progress going forward will be something to monitor.
LB Preston Smith
2 of 10
Selected in the second round, Preston Smith was eyed by the Redskins to compete with Trent Murphy for the starting job vacated by Brian Orakpo.
In the aftermath of the team signing Junior Galette, though, this plan is all but iced. Looking at the way Smith has performed in camp thus far, this could end up being a blessing in disguise.
As Mike Jones of the Washington Post noted, Smith hasn't developed at the rate his coaches anticipated. With it no longer necessary for him to learn by trial and error, in lieu of Galette's addition, both Smith and the team's 2015 defense will be better off.
RB Matt Jones
3 of 10
Brought aboard to spell Alfred Morris and improve the team's showing in short-yardage situations, Matt Jones has showcased early in camp the power he brings to the table.
According to Gruden, per the team's official Twitter feed, the team's safeties have been the only players up to the task of tackling the 6'2", 231-pound back.
While Gruden also lauded Jones for his vision, the fact remains Jones is the type of back who seeks contact. And with this type of running style comes the risk of injury.
Per ESPN.com's John Keim, the battering ram of a back suffered an injury to his right knee.
The team classified the injury as minor, but each practice Jones misses provides the likes of Chris Thompson and Silas Redd more of an opportunity to seize the backup job behind Morris.
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WR Jamison Crowder
4 of 10
In the bottom third of the league in return average, Washington sought out Duke's Jamison Crowder to bolster its special teams. He tallied four return touchdowns and averaged 13.3 yards per punt return during his collegiate career.
By the look of things early in camp, though, special teams isn't the only place the fourth-round pick can contribute.
Mike Jones of the Washington Post, for one, has been impressed with what he's seen from Crowder the receiver: "The most impressive rookie of the draft class by far is Jamison Crowder, who electrified with his speed on an end around and also made a couple of tough catches. Crowder also used speed and crisp route-running skills to shake defenders and get open for catches."
Taking into account how dismal Andre Roberts' inaugural season in D.C. was, a role as the No. 3 receiver could await Crowder should his practice performance translate to games.
OG Arie Kouandjio
5 of 10
The 112th overall pick in the draft, Arie Kouandjio was deemed a project coming out of Alabama. Limited by multiple knee injuries, he was cited for his technical deficiencies in CBS Sports' Rob Rang's draft profile.
In the lead-up to the draft, an unnamed SEC defensive coordinator levied an even harsher critique at Kouandjio, per NFL.com.
"Not a fan. I've always thought he was bad. Name only, can't play," he said.
With what he's displayed in camp, Kouandjio has put his best foot forward to dispel such opinions. Per Zac Boyer of the Washington Times, Gruden indicated Kouandjio was making a strong push at left guard.
He's unlikely to dethrone Shawn Lauvao by the opener. But should Lauvao again falter and Kouandjio string a strong preseason together, it's not far-fetched to imagine him earning his way into the starting lineup by season's end.
LB Martrell Spaight
6 of 10
A fifth-round pick, linebacker Martrell Spaight faces an uphill climb to crack Washington's linebacker rotation. In addition to starters Keenan Robinson and Perry Riley returning, chief backup Will Compton and special teams ace Adam Hayward are also back at inside linebacker.
As such, per Chad Ryan of Redskins Capital Connection, Spaight has been seeing snaps with the third-team defense.
Knowing the obstacles to playing time before him, Spaight expressed to Stephen Czarda of Redskins.com his desire to contribute on special teams while biding his time to play on defense.
“Once I get my opportunity to go out there on the football field on defense, I need to maximize my reps and just make sure to give the coaches confidence when they see me minimizing my mistakes,” he said.
With the overall depth the team has at linebacker, anything short of this from Spaight could jeopardize his place on the final 53-man roster.
DB Kyshoen Jarrett
7 of 10
A benefactor of the tumultuous season turned in by the Redskins secondary in 2014, Kyshoen Jarrett is one of the many new additions general manager Scot McCloughan has brought in to stem the tide.
Sixth-round pick or not, at the rate injuries are striking the team, he'll have ample opportunity to play his way into the lineup.
In the absence of Bashaud Breeland, Jarrett is one of the options Gruden will vet to fill the nickel corner spot, per Zac Boyer of the Washington Times.
Speaking to CBS DC's Brian McNally, Gruden went on to say that "he has the mobility you look for and the quick change of direction..."
He'll receive competition from Justin Rogers at the position. But with the Washington Post's Mike Jones reporting the release of safety Phillip Thomas, one could say Jarret's odds of making the team have increased significantly.
CB Tevin Mitchel
8 of 10
Like Jarrett, Breeland's injury opened the door for rookie Tevin Mitchel to secure additional playing time and, most importantly, a roster spot.
Unfortunately, luck wasn't on his side. According to ESPN.com's John Keim, the shoulder injury Mitchel suffered in practice was of the season-ending variety. The torn labrum he suffered was the same injury he had during his collegiate career at Arkansas.
WR Evan Spencer
9 of 10
Similar to Crowder, Evan Spencer was selected by the Redskins with a spot on special teams in mind.
But unlike him, it's a role he won't stray from.
Looking on at a Washington practice, Sports Journey's Lake Lewis Jr. illuminated why this is the case.
"WR Evan Spencer with a great move on CB Chris Culliver but dropped pass. Nice route but have to finish in the NFL," he tweeted.
The fact is, while Spencer brings some much-needed size to the table at 6'2", 208 pounds, he's relatively raw as a receiver. His college numbers bear this out. He recorded all of 15 receptions and 149 yards his senior season at Ohio State.
A developmental project in every sense of the word, Spencer is a logical candidate to land on Washington's practice squad following camp.
C Austin Reiter
10 of 10
The last of Washington's 10 draft picks, Austin Reiter actually had reason to be optimistic about his chances of making the team.
For starters, Kory Lichtensteiger was the only center the team had on the roster at the time of his selection. And he only recently made the transition from guard to center.
Oh, and Washington cut loose his backup, Chris Chester. Instead of grooming Reiter to fill this role, though, the Redskins tabbed Josh LeRibeus to try his hand at the position.
Game action will be the true barometer, but in speaking to Stephen Czarda of Redskins.com, offensive line coach Bill Callahan indicated he was pleased with LeRibeus' progress to date.
With LeRibeus having experience and now versatility on his side in addition to Reiter seeing just third-team reps, per Chad Ryan of Redskins Capital Connection, Reiter's best-case scenario is to land on the practice squad.
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