Washington Redskins: Breaking Down Final Roster and Week 1 Starters
There weren't many surprises when the Washington Redskins recently trimmed their 2015 roster to 53 players. By now, you should be familiar with the names who are tasked with helping drag the Burgundy and Gold out of the NFC East basement in the new NFL season.
For the offense, the spotlight rests firmly on Kirk Cousins as the new quarterback of choice. He's a better fit for head coach Jay Gruden's offense than Robert Griffin III, but Cousins needs the support of a balanced scheme and an improved line.
Enter new assistant coach Bill Callahan and a greater emphasis on the running game. If Callahan beefs up the front five and workhorse Alfred Morris returns to form, Washington will boast one of the league's best offenses.
Defensively, the front seven is set thanks to a strong contingent of bulky pass-rushers and tough run-stuffers. On paper at least, this is a group set to make its share of splash plays.
But can the new-look secondary limit the number of big gains the Redskins allow through the air?
Read on for a breakdown of the roster and starters set to lead Washington in the 2015 NFL season.
Quarterback
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Kirk Cousins, Colt McCoy, Robert Griffin III
It's all about Cousins putting his predilection for interceptions in his rearview mirror. If he can, Washington will be set at quarterback.
An efficient Cousins is the best choice to lead an offense loaded with great weapons at the skill positions. Cousins will make quick decisions and accurate throws that spread the ball among his marquee supporting cast.
Still, this is Washington, so even with No. 8 elevated to starter, there's still a ton of talk about RG3. Former Redskins running back Clinton Portis told NFL Network's Dan Hellie Griffin is an inevitable distraction, one that continues to divide the team's fans (h/t Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post):
"You and I both know what this [D.C.] media can do. And I think if you name Kirk Cousins your starter, it’s hard to have him looking over his shoulder with RGIII behind him. Because the minute Kirk makes a mistake, we both know FedEx Field will all of a sudden want RGIII. I think the city is torn apart between Redskins fans and RGIII fans.
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Of course, you know what's coming. Gruden has refuted the "distraction" claims, per Kevin Patra of the league's official site: "The only distractions are made out here. We don't feel like he's a distraction at all."
So Griffin is no longer the starter, he's not even scheduled to play, and there's still disputes about him. It's all just so Washington and RG3.
But the decision to retain Griffin has been made. What's done is done. Just don't go thinking No. 10 isn't going to be a distraction.
Every game he parks it on the lumber is going to be a Griffin watch. Every bad throw from Cousins will be the cue to pan the camera the way of 2012's second overall pick.
Surely, the Redskins know this. Don't they? Let's hope.
Stuck somewhere in the middle of all this palace intrigue is journeyman Colt McCoy. The veteran backup displayed an excellent understanding of the Gruden playbook last season.
That knowledge could prove invaluable if 2012's draft classmates tank it again.
Running Back
2 of 9
Alfred Morris, Darrel Young (FB), Matt Jones, Chris Thompson
Despite topping 1,000 yards for the third time in as many years, Morris needs a bounce-back season. He posted career-worst marks for yards and yards-per-carry average in 2014.
Of course, No. 46 also got the fewest carries in his career last season. That's the real number that needs to change in 2015.
The signs are positive it will. Since Callahan was hired, the Redskins have shown a renewed commitment to winning on the ground.
It's a commitment that was obvious during the preseason. Washington's play-calling was skewed in favor of the run. Through four exhibition games, the Burgundy and Gold ran the ball 145 times compared with airing it out on 123 occasions.
Morris is a true workhorse who can't thrive unless he's given the ball. Consider his best games in 2014: Week 11 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Week 12 against the San Francisco 49ers.
In both games, Morris had 20 or more carries. He registered 96 yards and a 4.8 average against the Bucs. Morris then gashed San Fran for 125 yards at six yards a tote.
Morris needs the ball, but the Redskins also want to work rookie Matt Jones into the mix. You can't blame them since this year's third-round pick averaged seven yards per carry this preseason, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post.
Jones also noted how Gruden and his staff "plan on using Jones to complement Morris and envision the two as a physical tandem that will pave the way for balance and success on offense."
It's a worthy idea, especially if it means getting fullback Darrel Young on the field more often. The underused converted linebacker is a fierce blocker who can complete the smashmouth vision for this season's rushing attack.
But all this thunder needs the complement of some lightning. Or something like that. Chris Thompson is being asked to provide it even though he didn't use his natural speed to his advantage during the preseason.
Yet Thompson is versatile enough to make plays as a receiver out of the backfield. If he stays healthy, he can provide an element of unpredictably to this talented rotation.
Wide Receiver
3 of 9
DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Andre Roberts, Ryan Grant, Jamison Crowder, Rashad Ross
Speaking of a talented rotation, that's just what the Redskins boast at wide receiver. In terms of the starters, few teams in football can field a trio as capable as DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Andre Roberts.
The latter hardly made a great impression during his first year on the team. Costly drops defined Roberts' 2014 campaign.
Yet this is still a veteran who knows how to get open over the middle. He can also take the top off a defense with deceptive and (so far) underused vertical speed.
That's a quality Jackson is never shy about using. Want to know why he didn't make the Pro Bowl last season? Yeah, me too. Because no matter if it was Griffin, Cousins or McCoy under center, Jackson was still getting open and hauling in deep strikes.
There's probably an entire chapter in the Gruden playbook dedicated to going long. So expect Jackson to again spend most of his season stretching the field.
But can Gruden and offensive coordinator Sean McVay get Garcon more involved? They certainly need to.
After all, No. 88 is a prolific catch machine. Garcon is lethal once he gets the ball in his hands. He runs like a fullback, only one blessed with awesome speed.
Put simply, the 29-year-old is a quarterback-friendly target who will make life easier for Cousins. Gruden has had Garcon and Jackson switch sides for this season, per Jones. He's expecting the change to inspire a resurgence from the franchise's single-season record holder for receptions, according to Liz Clarke of the Washington Post.
Speaking of quarterback-friendly, that's just what youthful duo Ryan Grant and Jamison Crowder can be. Both are sure-handed and have the right attributes, namely smart route running, to thrive from the slot.
Finally, Rashad Ross earned his roster spot after a prolific preseason, according to Gruden, per CSNMidAtlantic.com's Tarik El-Bashir.
This six-strong group can be the key to a successful season, provided Cousins gets them the ball and Gruden spreads the calls around.
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Tight Ends
4 of 9
Jordan Reed, Derek Carrier, Tom Compton
For a rare time, Jordan Reed's health isn't the defining factor at the tight end position. Instead, the strength of this rotation will depend on whether the team views backup offensive tackle Tom Compton as a third tight end.
Rich Tandler of Real Redskins and the Post's Jones believe the team scouring the waiver wire for a natural third is a real option. For the moment, though, I'm going to stick with Compton as the third choice.
If nothing else, his 6'5", 308-pound frame adds real bulk up front for the team's power-based running game. Using Compton as a supplemental blocker can also provide a massive boost for a group that yielded 58 sacks a year ago.
Specifically, his presence could help the rather green right side of rookie guard Brandon Scherff and second-year tackle Morgan Moses.
As for Reed, it's the same old story. If he stays off the treatment table, he's a roving matchup nightmare who can expose every level of a defense. But "if" is a big word in Reed's case.
Offensive Line
5 of 9
Trent Williams, Shawn Lauvao, Kory Lichtensteiger, Brandon Scherff, Morgan Moses
Ty Nsekhe, Arie Kouandjio, Josh LeRibeus, Spencer Long
This group has been given everything it needs to get better this season. That includes a top-line coach in Callahan and a top-five draft pick in Scherff.
But it's the extension handed to Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams that may be the best news. He's the foundation of the line and one of football's best at his position.
Williams is a lock, but the big question mark is on the other side. If Scherff and Moses, two players who have struggled at times in pass protection this offseason, make the grade, this line is set for major improvement.
In that scenario, only depth will be a concern. One move that stood out among the team's moves to get to 53 was retaining Ty Nsekhe ahead of Willie Smith as a backup tackle.
DC Hot Read's Chris Russell endorsed the move thanks to Nsekhe's physical attributes and raw potential: "I am happy the Redskins kept Ty Nsekhe on the roster at offensive tackle. He may stink if he has to play this year, but the key is he can continue to develop his technique with the massive frame he already has. This was a smart move by Bill Callahan and company."
As for the rest, Spencer Long endured a tough time in the preseason finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Meanwhile, rookie Arie Kouandjio needs to refine his overall game to make it as a pro-standard guard.
If the starters stay healthy, Washington has the chance to be more solid up front than the team has been in years. But if there are injuries, it'll be the stuff of nightmares.
Defensive Line
6 of 9
Jason Hatcher, Terrance Knighton, Stephen Paea, Ricky Jean Francois, Kedric Golston, Chris Baker, Frank Kearse
If new general manager Scot McCloughan's notable offseason imports made an impact, Washington's defensive line rotation will be formidable. Adding Stephen Paea and premier nose guard Terrance Knighton alongside disruptive 3-technique pass-rusher Jason Hatcher gives the Redskins a great balance up front.
There's pressure, courtesy of Hatcher and Paea. Thanks to Knighton, there's also immovable bulk and the ability to clog running lanes and occupy multiple interior blockers.
But for once, it isn't all about the starters. Ricky Jean Francois, Chris Baker and Frank Kearse can all split gaps and create pressure from the end spots.
Kedric Golston is more functional, but he could be a great fit as a two-gap 0-technique. He represents the best cover for Pot Roast in the middle.
Golston and Knighton are likely to be the only members of this group asked to two-gap this season. The plan is to turn linemen loose to attack single gaps more often, according to ESPN.com's John Keim.
It's a ploy sure to lead to a more dynamic unit, one capable of improving on last season's 36 sacks.
Linebackers
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OLB: Trent Murphy, Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith, Jackson Jeffcoat
ILB: Perry Riley Jr., Keenan Robinson, Martrell Spaight, Will Compton
Just like the O-line, the linebacker rotation is strong at the starters level, but questions exist about depth, at least on the inside. The outside is set thanks to Ryan Kerrigan's maturation into a game-wrecking playmaker.
A first-rounder in 2011, Kerrigan had a banner year in 2014. He recorded 13.5 sacks, made a career-best 51 solo tackles and forced five fumbles.
One of McCloughan's best moves this offseason was tying Kerrigan to Washington for the next five years, per NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.
On the other side, things aren't quite as clear. At the moment, 2014 second-round pick Trent Murphy has the starting job, according to Gruden, per Jones.
But the Washington head coach also noted there'll be plenty of snaps for this year's second-rounder, Preston Smith: “It’ll be Trent, and then Preston will play a lot, too. Those three will be interchangeable. But obviously, Kerrigan back and Trent, it’ll be a good combination with Preston ready to roll.”
Including Smith makes sense because Murphy is still short on splash plays, particularly as a pass-rusher. Jones detailed the ex-Stanford man's issues:
"Murphy this preseason generated a pressure in the first game, at Cleveland, and the third, against Baltimore. But he still showed a need for improvement. Reliable against the run, he appears to be more well-rounded than Smith for the time being. It’s likely that Smith will see more playing time on passing downs.
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Murphy's got the right traits for work on base downs. His ability to set the edge against the run and cover in space will be vital in new coordinator Joe Barry's scheme, one predicated on a four-man rush, per Francois during an interview with ESPN 980 earlier this offseason (h/t CSNMIdAtlantic.com's Tarik El-Bashir).
But Smith looked impressive rushing the edge in the preseason. He had more bend and greater closing speed than Murphy has displayed.
One outside 'backer certainly not short of impact plays is Jackson Jeffcoat. The second-year pro parlayed a preseason highlight reel into a deserved roster spot, according to Stephen Czarda of the team's official site.
On the inside, Keenan Robinson is the star, with Perry Riley Jr. cast as the veteran who needs to prove himself after significant regression in 2014. But with Knighton tying up the guard-center-guard box in front of him, there's every reason to believe Riley will be better this season.
Frankly, he better be. There's only rookie fifth-rounder Martrell Spaight and the athletically limited Will Compton on hand to provide cover.
Secondary
8 of 9
CB: Chris Culliver, DeAngelo Hall, David Amerson, Bashaud Breeland, Justin Rogers, Deshazor Everett
SS: Duke Ihenacho, Jeron Johnson
FS: Dashon Goldson, Kyshoen Jarrett, Trenton Robinson
Aside from the O-line, no position group needs to show more improvement this season than the defensive backfield. At least the Redskins refused to stand pat with last season's failed formula.
McCloughan certainly shook things up, adding four new faces via both free agency and the draft. But will the moves actually yield better results?
They should at cornerback, provided new boy Chris Culliver proves his career year with the San Francisco 49ers in 2014 was no fluke. It would also help if DeAngelo Hall were to make a rapid return to his best after tearing the same Achilles twice last season.
In all honesty, Hall has little choice with Bashaud Breeland suspended for the season's first week, per ESPN.com's John Keim. That's bad news because it's likely to mean significant early playing time for David Amerson, a player who has flopped since being Washington's top draft pick in 2013.
At safety, the Redskins aren't short of hitters. Both Duke Ihenacho and Dashon Goldson pack a wallop. But then so did Brandon Meriweather and Ryan Clark in 2014. But can the new partnership actually cover anyone?
Goldson struggled against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3 of the preseason, and his career hit the skids last year in Tampa Bay. Ihenacho had his issues tracking receivers during his days with the Denver Broncos.
New secondary coach Perry Fewell has his work cut out for him here.
Special Teams
9 of 9
K: Kai Forbath
P: Tress Way
LS: Nick Sundberg
The special teams aren't so bad in the kicking game. Kicker Kai Forbath and punter Tress Way are as trustworthy as most.
Where this unit has to show improvement is in both coverage and the return game. Roberts and Ross could handle the latter chores.
But coordinator Ben Kotwica has to tighten up coverage in his second year. That won't be easy with unit captain Adam Hayward and fellow linchpin Niles Paul both lost for the season, per Zac Boyer of the Washington Times.
Overall, this is a roster with more than enough talent to be floating around the 7-9 to 9-7 gap. That has to be the minimum target for Gruden in his second year patrolling the sidelines.
He can reach it if the quarterback situation doesn't morph into the same calamitous carousel it was in 2014. If Cousins takes the job and runs with it, the Redskins offense will be a handful for every team on the schedule.
Then the onus will be on Barry getting more than just splash plays from a revamped defense. The unit has names who can make an impact, but the fundamentals such as sound tackling and smart coverage can't be forgotten.
If nothing else, Washington certainly has a new look and a definite identity after the fiasco of the last two years. This is now a team defined by physicality and simpler schemes on both sides of the ball designed to let players play fast and tough.
It's the necessary first step in the franchise's latest rebuilding effort.
All statistics and player information via NFL.com.
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