8 Players on Washington Redskins' 2017 Roster Bubble

Some big names are on the roster bubble for the Washington Redskins in 2017, including a veteran defensive back and the team's first-choice running back at the start of last season.

Both players find their places under threat from new talent at their respective positions. It's a similar story at outside linebacker, where an oft-injured vet may no longer be needed after Washington wisely used a second-round pick to address the position in this year's NFL draft.

Speaking of members of the Redskins' draft class, the arrival of one late-round rookie should make two incumbent tight ends nervous. Nerves are also likely to be felt at inside linebacker, where five won't go into four in a new-look rotation.

The same narrative will unfold at nose tackle, where as many as three unheralded 0-techniques will compete to anchor Washington's base 3-4 defense. A quick exit from town seems inevitable for the losers in this battle.

This list won't include a roll call of late-round draft picks, practice squad candidates or any of the players naturally expected to be on the bubble. Instead, this list is made up of the more established names who find their respective tenures at Redskins Park in jeopardy.

Read on to find out which notable Redskins' players are on the bubble and which ones ultimately won't make the team.

Niles Paul, TE

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There is a lot standing in Niles Paul's way before he finally nails down a roster spot for the 2017 season. His most obvious obstacle is the level of talent at his position.

In terms of quality and depth, tight end is arguably the strongest position on Washington's roster. There is a dynamic game-changer in Jordan Reed, a distinguished and reliable veteran leader in Vernon Davis and a young upstart in fifth-round draft pick Jeremy Sprinkle.

Lest we forget, Paul and Derek Carrier are still around to vie for snaps. Choosing between the two is no easy call, since both have proved they can contribute in this offense.

Both have also had their share of injury woes, with Paul's 2016 NFL season cut short by a gruesome shoulder injury suffered against the Cincinnati Bengals at Wembley Stadium in London. It wasn't the first time injuries have stunted his career, after he lost the entire 2015 season to an ankle problem.

He's been out so long that it's been easy to forget what Paul can bring to the field. For a refresher, No. 84 offers useful move skills, both as an in-line tight end and one flexed into various spots across formations.

He's not as explosive as Reed, nor is he as effective as a blocker as Davis. This is the root of Paul's problem as he bids to stay on the roster: he's not a master at any one thing.

The ace up his sleeve is his place and experience on special teams. However, it's a role Sprinkle could seize this offseason.

A lot will depend on Paul's health. The player looked strong during offseason workouts, per Stephen Czarda of the team's official website.

There's also the versatility endorsed by Rich Tandler of CSN Mid-Atlantic.com: "He appears to be healthy and if he stays that way he can play tight end, be the fullback on the six or eight snaps per game the Redskins use one, and be a strong contributor on special teams."

If it's a straight fight between Paul and Sprinkle, history says to give the edge to the former. Paul may stick for now, but this one is far from resolved.

Prediction: Makes the team

Derek Carrier, TE

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Derek Carrier faces a lot of the same problems making the roster as Paul. He's just minus the expertise on special teams.

Like Paul, Carrier has to prove his health after a knee injury wiped out his 2016 season after eight games. At the time he went down, the 26-year-old had just two catches to his credit, a reflection of his diminished role and importance in the offense.

It's understandable his role would be reduced after Davis arrived to provide a more trusty and productive complement to the brilliance of Reed. Now Carrier faces an uphill battle proving he should stick on the final roster.

In a similar way to Paul, Carrier is competent in several areas. He's a decent blocker and solid receiver with some potential for stretching the field.

Ultimately, though, Carrier doesn't do any one thing well enough to stick on the final roster. His fate will be sealed if the Redskins opt against keeping four tight ends, a number CSN Mid-Atlantic's JP Finlay believes will be one too many.

Expect Carrier to be among Washington's final cuts.

Prediction: Cut

Matt Jones, RB

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No player on the roster is in more jeopardy of losing his roster spot than Matt Jones. The player who began 2016 as the Redskins' starting running back has endured an offseason of speculation linking him with the exit door.

He was on the trading block during the draft, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Jones wasn't dealt, but Michael Silver of NFL Network soon revealed 2015's third-round pick had been told by head coach Jay Gruden he is the fifth choice on the depth chart.

Gruden couldn't have been any clearer Jones and the Redskins are headed for a messy breakup if he'd have said, "it's not you, it's me."

The biggest surprise is Jones still being on the roster as July inches toward its conclusion. He's managed to stick around but is still a "long shot to make the roster," according to ESPN's John Keim: "His inability, or lack of desire, to play special teams doesn't help, and his fumbles and inconsistent running style leave him behind Kelley & Co."

It's a damning indictment of the former Florida ball-carrier, but not one many Redskins fans could disagree with. Ball security has plagued Jones' burgeoning pro career and sent him to the bench in favor of undrafted rookie Rob Kelley last season.

Kelley is still in the mix, along with Chris Thompson and this year's fourth-rounder, Samaje Perine. Jones won't supplant any member of this trio and can't match the potential for game-breaking speed Mack Brown offers.

It remains a matter of when, not if, the Redskins jettison Jones.

Prediction: Cut

Phil Taylor, NT

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When you haven't played since 2014, you're going to have a hard time making a final roster. At least Phil Taylor can point to the pedigree of being a former first-round pick.

Taken off the board by the Cleveland Browns in 2011, Taylor has the experience and size the Redskins may covet at nose tackle. The 29-year-old tips the scales at 6'3" and 343 pounds, ample qualifications for taking on centers, locking up double teams and clogging running lanes in the middle.

Taylor's problem is the crowded competition for snaps at nose guard. First, he has to get past free-agent arrivals Terrell McClain and Stacy McGee.

The former could be ticketed to play end, where his lighter, quicker frame can be an asset, despite thriving over the ball for Washington's bitter NFC East rival, the Dallas Cowboys.

If new Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Manusky wants a man mountain in the middle, he could turn to McGee, a 6'3", 341-pounder with natural two-gap skills.

Even without considering McGee, there are a host of other candidates in Taylor's way. There's Joey Mbu, A.J. Francis and undrafted Ondre Pipkins.

Outside of this group, Michael Phillips of the Richmond Times-Dispatch has identified two other trench warriors likely to be given roster spots: "Matt Ioannidis, a draft pick out of Temple, will continue his development, while Anthony Lanier looks to build on a breakout rookie season. Lanier could be one of the team’s best undrafted finds in years."

Add in veteran holdover Ziggy Hood, who performed well as a 0-technique in 2016, and Taylor's task of making the final roster looks an insurmountable one.

If he's healthy, big Phil can stick. Yet the lack of reports saying he's been lifting centers out of their socks this offseason means it's likely the spark has gone for this brittle former first-rounder, who won't make the grade in D.C.

Prediction: Cut

Joey Mbu, NT

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Taylor is far from the only big man in the middle on the bubble in Washington this offseason. Joey Mbu is another nose tackle who needs to make a lasting impression during training camp.

Unlike Taylor, Mbu may get plenty of chances to do just that. The ex-undrafted free agent of the Atlanta Falcons has not been lacking for work this offseason, per Michael Phillips of the Richmond Times-Dispatch: "On the roster bubble, Joey Mbu has received more snaps than expected during offseason workouts, meaning the coaches perhaps see something in him."

It seems as though Mbu is being given every opportunity to not only win over Manusky, but also new D-line coach Jim Tomsula. Both have traditionally valued big and imposing players over the ball.

Size is something Mbu boasts at 6'3" and 323 pounds. The fact he's being worked in the middle says a lot, especially since many of those he's competing with can play outside, among them Anthony Lanier.

As for Matt Ioannidis, last year's sixth-round pick was only deemed good enough for the practice squad for much of his debut season in the pros. If he was destined for more, he'd be taking some of the snaps away from Mbu during offseason workouts.

While he may ultimately wind up as a backup, Mbu should survive the bubble and make the final 53.

Prediction: Makes the team

Junior Galette, OLB

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If not playing since 2014 counts against Phil Taylor, it has to do the same for Junior Galette. There is no denying the impact this skilled edge-rusher can make if he's healthy, but consecutive seasons lost to Achilles injuries means a wait-and-see approach is wise when considering the 29-year-old's future in Washington.

When Galette has made the field, he's been a productive pass-rusher during his career. He logged 12 sacks for the New Orleans Saints in 2013 and followed it with 10 more a year later.

The Redskins could use a player this disruptive on the outside. It's the promise of this production that has ensured Galette keeps being brought back by the Burgundy and Gold.

Yet there is a slight twist to the formula in 2017. Specifically, the Redskins are no longer in a position where they will be counting on Galette for help, not after drafting Ryan Anderson in the second round.

Anderson has joined a rotation already featuring Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith and Trent Murphy. The latter may be set to serve a four-game suspension, but he is coming off a career year during which he logged nine sacks.

Murphy and Anderson are versatile enough to be moved around and rushed from multiple spots. Meanwhile, Smith's raw talent likely still intrigues coaches, despite a disappointing return of just 4.5 sacks in his second season.

Yet for all the talent at his position, there is no substitute for the takeoff speed, bend and closing quickness Galette can offer when collapsing the pocket from the outside.

Gruden talked up some of those same attributes back in May, per Jake Kring-Schreifels of the team's official website:

"He has a great, great get off. Hopefully, that hasn't been affected. That's one thing he's got to work toward getting back, because you can't coach the speed (and how) he gets out of his stance and gets around that tackle before he gets out of his stance. He's the best at that."

Core skills getting to the passer will likely keep Galette on the depth chart at a position where Washington could easily carry five players this season.

Prediction: Makes the team

Martrell Spaight, LB

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Hopes were high for Martrell Spaight when the Redskins took him off the board in the 2015 NFL draft, despite the former Arkansas tackling machine not hearing his name called until the fifth round.

Since then, however, injuries have robbed him of enough chances to justify the buzz. He missed all but one game of his rookie year, before making just a single start in 2016, despite appearing in 14 games during the season.

Now Spaight finds himself on the bubble largely because of the arrival of Zach Brown. A Pro Bowler with the Buffalo Bills last season, Brown should lock down one starting job at inside linebacker. If so, Will Compton and Mason Foster will be left to compete for the other spot, with the loser naturally first man up in the event of injuries or struggles.

The situation leaves a player such as Spaight facing a tough time hanging around. Still, the ex-Razorbacks ace retains some fans, with ESPN's John Keim declaring him "one to watch this summer."

Yet, as Keim also pointed out, holdover Chris Carter can play special teams, an asset for any player finding themselves on a roster bubble in the NFL. He is also versatile enough to play both outside and inside.

Spaight will need to do something special to stick, particularly if the Redskins carry five edge 'backers.

Prediction: Cut

DeAngelo Hall, DB

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Frankly, it would defy belief if DeAngelo Hall survives the roster bubble, despite several qualities recommending him, at least on the surface.

Hall is a veteran leader, one versatile enough to play multiple spots in the secondary. The 33-year-old can start at outside cornerback, work the slot and even play safety.

Yet his chances of featuring at any of those positions appear slim ahead of the new season.

Starting jobs on the outside are locked down thanks to Josh Norman and Bashaud Breeland. Depth is also solid with Quinton Dunbar, Kendall Fuller and Fabian Moreau—at least when the latter recovers from a torn pectoral tendon—on hand.

Both Fuller and a healthy-again Moreau could play the slot ahead of Hall.

Fuller has already caught the eye of his coaches this offseason, following a disappointing rookie year, according to Nora Princiotti of the Washington Times: "Gruden said that Fuller is faster and quicker. In offseason practices, Fuller showed some stickiness covering Jamison Crowder, a very good sign. He collected a few pass breakups and assisted a few other big plays."

If Hall looks primed to be pushed out at cornerback, his chances of earning a job at safety appear just as slim. The Redskins have already moved Su'a Cravens back to safety full time, along with signing D.J. Swearinger in free agency.

Washington also drafted Montae Nicholson and Josh Harvey-Clemons this year. They joined corners Moreau and Joshua Holsey as defensive backs taken off the board by the Redskins in late-April.

While not every member of this group will make the final roster, drafting four DBs to add to an already-stocked group sure looks like the Redskins are ready to move on from a few incumbents.

Hall is a prime candidate to make way because injuries have reduced him to just 13 starts in three seasons. He has failed to register a single interception in the same time span.

Too many things point to Hall being one of the more high-profile cuts Washington makes this offseason.

Prediction: Cut

Fortunately for the Redskins, most of the notable players on the bubble are veterans competing for jobs at positions stronger, both in terms of depth and talent, this offseason. It means the team can afford to dump a few names and still be better at key spots in 2017.