Washington Redskins: A Look at the 2011 Depth Chart Heading into Ravens Game

The Washington Redskins will travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens in a Thursday night NFL preseason game. Despite a lot of criticism, the Redskins will enter this game with a 2-0 record, having beaten the  Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts.

Granted, it's only the preseason right now, and the Redskins are still trying to figure out who will start the season opener against the New York Giants. 

For a team that has gone through some identity changes this past year, the preseason games are very crucial. The Redskins will start a new quarterback as well as a new running back, and both will have to perform at a high level if Washington wants to avoid being the worst team in the NFL.

With that, let's take a look at the current depth chart of the 2011 Washington Redskins:

Quarterbacks

 John Beck, Rex Grossman, Kellen Clemens and Ben Chappell

Washington traded McNabb and will roll the dice with these QBs. Beck is the likely starter, but Grossman thinks this team can win the NFC East. With one of the worst QB groups in the NFL, the Redskins will have a difficult time succeeding in 2011. 

Running Backs 

 Tim Hightower, Roy Helu, Evan Royster, Shuan Draughn and Ryan Torian

The addition of Hightower during the offseason was a great move. He split carries in Arizona last year, and the Redskins are hoping he plays better in a full-on starting role. The rest of the backfield is a fairly young crew with three rookies. Torian would have been the starter, but he is still recovering from a broken hand. If Hightower flops, then Washington will need Torian to deliver, or else they must count on the young guns.

Full Backs

 Darrel Young and Keiland Williams

Both players are entering their second season in the NFL. They're both 5'11 and over 230 pounds. The inexperience of this duo could hurt the Redskins on a few plays, but for the most part, they'll do their job of opening lanes and protecting the quarterback.

Tight Ends 

 Chris Cooley, Fred Davis, Logan Paulsen and Mike Sellers

This group is all about the veteran Cooley. He has owned this position for the Redskins since 2004 and will continue to do so for the rest of his career. Davis was a great standout at USC, and he is a great No. 2 tight end for Washington.

Wide Receivers 

 Santana Moss, Jabar Gaffney, Anthony Armstrong, Leonard Hankerson, Donte' Stallworth, Terrence Austin, Niles Paul and Aldrick Robinson.

The addition of Gaffney will hopefully make life easier for whichever quarterback starts, and rookie Leonard Hankerson will be a guy to watch this season, especially if one of the top three receivers falls to an injury.

Moss is by far their best talent at the receiver position, but he isn't quite at elite status just yet. It's hard when you don't have a top-notch quarterback throwing to you.

Offensive Line 

 Starters: LT Trent Williams, LG Kory Lichtensteiger, C Will Montgomery, RG Chris Chester, RT Jammal Brown 

Second String: LT Sean Locklear, LG Maurice Hurt, C Erik Cook, RG Artis Hicks, RT Willie Smith

The right side is the stronger area of the offensive line, as the left side features second and third year players. The Redskins don't have the best offensive line in the league, which is why keeping Brown was a big save this offseason. In 2010, they ranked 30th in the league in rushing yards, which falls mostly on them but also on the running backs.

Cornerbacks

DeAngelo Hall, Josh Wilson, Kevin Barnes, Phillip Buchanon, Reggie Jones and Byron Westbrook

The Redskins were second to last in passing yards allowed in 2010, which is why the went out and signed Wilson from the Ravens. Playing against his old team on Thursday ought to be very interesting. Hall is the "star" of this group if you will, but he needs to step up and be a true leader now that he isn't the only good corner on the field.

Safeties  

LaRon Landry, Oshiomogho Atogwe, Reed Doughty, Anderson Russell, Chris Horton, Davonte Shannon, Kareem Moore and DeJon Gomes 

Landry is the starter, but at the moment he is sidelined with injuries. He is expected to be back by the season opener, but until then Atogwe will play in his place at strong safety. Washington re-signed Doughty this offseason, and he is now listed as the starter at free safety, but Moore will most likely see the field quite a bit like last year. Doughty, Landry and Moore where in the top six of tackles a season ago. 

Linebackers 

Starters: LOLB Ryan Kerrigan, LILB London Fletcher, RILB Rocky McIntosh and ROLB Brian Orakpo

Second String: LOLB Lorenzo Alexander, LILB Keyaron Fox, RILB Perry Riley and ROLB Markus White

All eyes will be on first round draft pick Ryan Kerrigan, and how he plays opposite of Orakpo. they drafted him to get after the quarterback, and if he fails to do that then the Redskins will struggle again. McIntosh and Fletcher were the top tacklers for Washington in 2010, and they'll need to be just as good in 2011 if the Redskins want to win games. 

Defensive Line 

Starters: LDE Adam Carriker, NT Barry Cofield and RDE Stephen Bowen

Second String: LDE Jarvis Jenkins, NT Anthony Bryant and Kedric Golston 

The new defensive front for the Redskins will be put to the test this season. Washignton added Cofield from the Giants and Bowen from division rival Dallas Cowboys, and they believe both will help them improve one of the worst defenses in the year.

The 2011 Washington Redskins are far from a playoff team this season, but with young players in key positions their future doesn't look all that bad. They to find a proven winner at quarterback, but other than that there are pieces to work with in Washington.

Don't expect very much from this team once the season begins, because then the starters won't be playing second string players like they have in the first two preseason games. Week 3 of the preseason is when the starters play the most, which means the Redskins will finally be exposed Thursday night against the Ravens.