NFL Cuts: Predicting the Washington Redskins' Final 53

The Washington Redskins, like all other 31 NFL teams, will be forced to limit their roster from 75 to 53 players by tonight's 6 pm deadline. Some roster cuts may come as obvious and others will come as slight surprises, but it appears as if Mike Shanahan has gotten the most out of every potential 2010 Redskin.

With only a matter of hours to go, we break down each position to predict who's in and who's out...

Quarterbacks: McNabb, Grossman, and Beck IN; Bartel OUT

Not a whole lot to explain here. McNabb is the obvious starter and should be ready to go for Dallas. Grossman has done a good job in the preseason and he's a playbook veteran. John Beck is a fan favorite of the Shanahan duo and he'll likely be the team's backup in 2011. Unfortunately for Richard Bartel, the competition ahead of him was a tad too much.

Running Backs: Portis, Johnson, Williams, Torain IN; Parker and Young OUT

While he did struggle in the preseason, there is no threat to Larry Johnson and his roster spot. His contract is favorable to the team and he'll serve as a reliable redzone option. Rookie Keiland Williams seems to have become a coach's favorite with his gritty workhorse mentality.

And Ryan Torain is familiar with Shanahan and Danny Smith likes his contribution on special teams. Former speedster Willie Parker does not play special teams and he'd never see the field as a running back, making his NFL future a question mark. 

Fullbacks: Sellers IN; Davis OUT

The Redskins will not go into the season with more than one fullback. Mike Sellers is still the anchor for this backfield and he should flourish in the new run game. In the unfortunate case of an injury, Keiland Williams may actually be able to plug the hole. 

Wide Receivers: Moss, Thomas, Galloway, Armstrong, Austin IN; Banks, Wade, Williams, Hodge OUT

Santana Moss has been the only roster lock, according to Mike Shanahan, since Week 1. Joey Galloway has proved that with age comes wisdom and the elder statesman has apparently edged into the No. 2 role.

Anthony Armstrong (AA) has surely done enough to earn his way onto the team, as has Terrance Austin with his ability to run routes and return kicks. Devin Thomas remains the best blocking receiver on the team and he'll be the biggest target on the eligible crew.

Malcolm Kelly will still take up a roster spot on the injured reserve list as he recovers from a nagging hamstring injury. Brandon Banks could head to the practice squad but his hands are not sure enough to make the final cut.

It's hard to take on a big-play or bust type of player like Banks. Hopefully for the Skins, Banks stays on the PS and gets another shot next season. 

Tight Ends: Cooley, Davis IN; Paulsen, Vickers OUT

The Redskins will enter the season with one of the most threatening tight end duos in the league. McNabb has shown his love for tight ends over the course of his career and the Cooley/Davis Connection could cause serious mismatches. Paulsen has a chance at making the PS.

Offensive Line: Williams, Dockery, Rabach, Hicks, Brown, Robinson, Montgomery, Cook, Heyer, Capers IN; Oldenburg, Rinehart, Lichtensteiger OUT

The starters are obvious with the rookie Trent Williams and Jammal Brown anchoring the ends. Robinson and Montgomery have shown enough in the preseason to stick around and the team seems to like the potential of Selvish Capers (though he may see the PS).

Oldenburg was hurt in the team's last preseason game and that will likely determine his fate with this team. Rinehart may make this team but he has had more than enough opportunities to show his talents and he hasn't done the most with them. 

Defensive Line: Kemoeatu, Carriker, Golston, Haynesworth, Holliday, Daniels, Jarmon IN; Jackson, Scott, Bryant, Green OUT

This year's starters appear to be Carriker and Golston on the ends with Kemoeatu clogging the middle. Of course, Haynesworth could become a starter by Week 2, but that's more of a wait-and-see game. Veterans Phillip Daniels and Vonnie Holliday will serve as valuable backups and second-year player Jeremy Jarmon should improve. 

Linebackers: Carter, McIntosh, Fletcher, Orakpo, Alexander, Riley, Wilson IN; Gatewood, Henson OUT

At this point, the starting four look to be Andre Carter, Rocky, London, and Orakpo (who is due for a big season in the new scheme). Lorenzo Alexander makes this team without question. Rookie Perry Riley showed signs of a solid contributor and Chris Wilson will continue to work on his pass-rush ability.

Robert Henson has a real chance at making the team after such a great showing in the team's last preseason game, but his injured knee may keep him off the roster. 

Cornerbacks: Hall, Rogers, Buchanon, Barnes, Westbrook IN; Robinson, Tryon OUT

DeAngelo and Carlos are locks to start with Phil Buchanon being the first-team nickel back. Maryland alum Kevin Barnes will be a solid player this season and Byron Westbrook helps enough on special teams to make the cut. The team seemed to like Ramzee Robinson but he'll likely be playing elsewhere after Saturday. 

Safeties: Landry, Doughty, Carter, Moore (IR) IN; Horton, Russell OUT

Unfortunate situation for the safeties this year. Kareem Moore goes down for six weeks and the team is forced to sign veteran Tyrone Carter. Because of Carter's better fit in the new system, this will likely spell the departure of fan favorite Chris Horton. It'd be sad to see him go and we'd like it more if he stayed. 

Special Teams: Gano, Bidwell, Sundberg IN; Dearth OUT

Gano has the foot and has received no competition in camp—meaning the job is his. The ageless Josh Bidwell makes the team, obviously, barring any injury. And Sundberg successfully beat out James Dearth, who was brought in for the sole purpose of pushing the long snapper to work harder.