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You asked for it, so here it is. My 1st look at what could be the final 53 man roster. I hope to do at least two more of these as we get through the preseason games. The reason is simple: We have seen way too many players shine in camp or practice and yet fail to do so in REAL game situations. I think we will see some players emerge when the pads come on under the bright lights as well we may see a couple of players falter.
So expect 2.0 to come out after week 2 of the preseason and my final 3.0 version to come out after week 4 of the preseason.
I have not been to Richmond, so this prediction is based on the reports and analysis from the following beat reporters and media: John Keim, Lake Lewis, Rich Tandler, JP Finlay, Kennedy Paynter, Jake Kring-Schreifels, Brian Mitchell.
So, expect a few curve balls here as I make a couple of crazy guesses based on a few rumors and some guys who have stood out so far during camp.
QB
Alex Smith
Colt McCoy
Thoughts: So far Kevin Hogan has been just a camp arm, not much else to say about that situation.
FB
Rob Kelley
Thoughts: Surprise!!!!! Rob Kelley not only makes the team (at this point pretty likely anyway) but is converted to a FB. Niles Paul did the FB duties last year but is now gone. Expect Kelley to become a lead blocker (I believe he did this in college on occasion), do short yard runs, pass block, occasionally catch passes and most importantly play special teams.
RB
Derrius Guice
Chris Thompson
Byron Marshall
Samaje Perine
Thoughts: The only player right now I'm not sure about is Perine. At this point however, I just can't see the team give up on the 2017 4th round pick just because he has a so-so rookie season. I will also be keeping an eye on the 3rd spot between Marshall and Kapri Bibbs as the battle in my opinion is pretty close.
TE
Jordan Reed
Vernon Davis
Jeremy Sprinkle
Thoughts: Don't see any changes here barring that Reed stays healthy. I wouldn't be surprised if one of the younger TEs who don't make the final 53 gets put on the practice squad just in case.
WR
Josh Doctson
Paul Richardson
Jamison Crowder
Maurice Harris
Brian Quick
Trey Quinn
Thoughts: There are a bunch of players fighting for spots 4-6. So far I've heard nothing but praise for Quinn. Mo Harris has really improved and solidified his spot as the #4 WR to replace Ryan Grant. The word from camp is that Brian Quick has outperformed Robert Davis and the UDFAs so far.
OL
Trent Williams
Shawn Lauvao
Chase Roullier
Brandon Scherff
Morgan Moses
Ty Nsekhe
Geron Chrisitian
Tony Bergstrom
Tyler Catalina
Thoughts: With some questionable depth at Guard and Lauvao's injury history, the Redskins may keep 10 OL. But, right now I see them keeping 9. Nsekhe will serve as the 1st swing tackle and LG fill in. Catalina can play both Guard positions and has some experience. Bergstrom can play both OG and C. I expect the 'Skins to keep at least 1-2 OL on the practice squad.
DL
Daron Payne
Jonathan Allen
Matt Ioannidis
Ziggy Hood
Anthony Lanier
Tim Settle
Thoughts: Payne's injury will determine if Phil Taylor or another DL makes the roster. I know some fans want Ziggy Hood gone, but he's a team leader and when used as a rotational DE and maybe 4-3 DT he is decent. Let's just not use Hood as a NT anymore, okay.
OLB
Ryan Kerrigan
Preston Smith
Ryan Anderson
Pernell McPhee
Pete Robertson
Thoughts: Robertson was a long shot to make the roster last year, but impressed both the coaches and the fans during the preseason. He eventually joined the roster and played in four games. Again a long shot in 2018, Robertson may again prove the doubters wrong and earn a spot on the roster.
ILB
Mason Foster
Zach Brown
Josh Harvey-Clemons
Zach Vigil
Thoughts: There have been a couple of tweets and reports that Martrell Spaight is on the bubble. So far, we haven't heard any news on Shaun Dion Hamilton. It is very early, but if the season started today this would be my ILB corp.
CB
Josh Norman
Quinton Dunbar
Orlando Scandrick
Fabian Moreau
Danny Johnson
Thoughts: I think in the end the Redskins might keep six CBs, but in 1.0 with 6 DL 5, RB/FB and 5 OLBs I have to give it to 5. Currently, the 5th spot is a battle between Alexander, Stroman and the lesser known Johnson. The word is that Johnson has the early lead. Will this continue when the 'Skins face the Patriots in a few days?
S
DJ Swearinger
Montae Nicholson
Deshazor Everett
Troy Apke
Fish Smithson
Thoughts: Apke is very, very raw but very, very fast. He'll be used primarily as a STer in 2018. I would expect the Redskins to probably try to stash Fish Smithson on the PS or have a Safety on speed dial if Swearinger or Nicholson get injured. But in this case we'll keep Smithson as the 5th Safety.
P
Tress Way
K
Dustin Hopkins
LS
Nick Sundberg
Thoughts: Solid group. No competition during camp, so obviously these are locks.
PUP: Tracy McGee, Josh Holsey
Thoughts: I'd expect McGee to be re-activated after the first six weeks of the season. I expect Josh Holsey to be IRed or placed on non-football injury list.
The Redskins face the Patriots on 8/9 and then the Jets on 8/16, so the next roster prediction will come out around 8/17 or 8/18.
So expect 2.0 to come out after week 2 of the preseason and my final 3.0 version to come out after week 4 of the preseason.
I have not been to Richmond, so this prediction is based on the reports and analysis from the following beat reporters and media: John Keim, Lake Lewis, Rich Tandler, JP Finlay, Kennedy Paynter, Jake Kring-Schreifels, Brian Mitchell.
So, expect a few curve balls here as I make a couple of crazy guesses based on a few rumors and some guys who have stood out so far during camp.
Offense
QB
Alex Smith
Colt McCoy
Thoughts: So far Kevin Hogan has been just a camp arm, not much else to say about that situation.
FB
Rob Kelley
Thoughts: Surprise!!!!! Rob Kelley not only makes the team (at this point pretty likely anyway) but is converted to a FB. Niles Paul did the FB duties last year but is now gone. Expect Kelley to become a lead blocker (I believe he did this in college on occasion), do short yard runs, pass block, occasionally catch passes and most importantly play special teams.
RB
Derrius Guice
Chris Thompson
Byron Marshall
Samaje Perine
Thoughts: The only player right now I'm not sure about is Perine. At this point however, I just can't see the team give up on the 2017 4th round pick just because he has a so-so rookie season. I will also be keeping an eye on the 3rd spot between Marshall and Kapri Bibbs as the battle in my opinion is pretty close.
TE
Jordan Reed
Vernon Davis
Jeremy Sprinkle
Thoughts: Don't see any changes here barring that Reed stays healthy. I wouldn't be surprised if one of the younger TEs who don't make the final 53 gets put on the practice squad just in case.
WR
Josh Doctson
Paul Richardson
Jamison Crowder
Maurice Harris
Brian Quick
Trey Quinn
Thoughts: There are a bunch of players fighting for spots 4-6. So far I've heard nothing but praise for Quinn. Mo Harris has really improved and solidified his spot as the #4 WR to replace Ryan Grant. The word from camp is that Brian Quick has outperformed Robert Davis and the UDFAs so far.
OL
Trent Williams
Shawn Lauvao
Chase Roullier
Brandon Scherff
Morgan Moses
Ty Nsekhe
Geron Chrisitian
Tony Bergstrom
Tyler Catalina
Thoughts: With some questionable depth at Guard and Lauvao's injury history, the Redskins may keep 10 OL. But, right now I see them keeping 9. Nsekhe will serve as the 1st swing tackle and LG fill in. Catalina can play both Guard positions and has some experience. Bergstrom can play both OG and C. I expect the 'Skins to keep at least 1-2 OL on the practice squad.
Defense
DL
Daron Payne
Jonathan Allen
Matt Ioannidis
Ziggy Hood
Anthony Lanier
Tim Settle
Thoughts: Payne's injury will determine if Phil Taylor or another DL makes the roster. I know some fans want Ziggy Hood gone, but he's a team leader and when used as a rotational DE and maybe 4-3 DT he is decent. Let's just not use Hood as a NT anymore, okay.
OLB
Ryan Kerrigan
Preston Smith
Ryan Anderson
Pernell McPhee
Pete Robertson
Thoughts: Robertson was a long shot to make the roster last year, but impressed both the coaches and the fans during the preseason. He eventually joined the roster and played in four games. Again a long shot in 2018, Robertson may again prove the doubters wrong and earn a spot on the roster.
ILB
Mason Foster
Zach Brown
Josh Harvey-Clemons
Zach Vigil
Thoughts: There have been a couple of tweets and reports that Martrell Spaight is on the bubble. So far, we haven't heard any news on Shaun Dion Hamilton. It is very early, but if the season started today this would be my ILB corp.
CB
Josh Norman
Quinton Dunbar
Orlando Scandrick
Fabian Moreau
Danny Johnson
Thoughts: I think in the end the Redskins might keep six CBs, but in 1.0 with 6 DL 5, RB/FB and 5 OLBs I have to give it to 5. Currently, the 5th spot is a battle between Alexander, Stroman and the lesser known Johnson. The word is that Johnson has the early lead. Will this continue when the 'Skins face the Patriots in a few days?
S
DJ Swearinger
Montae Nicholson
Deshazor Everett
Troy Apke
Fish Smithson
Thoughts: Apke is very, very raw but very, very fast. He'll be used primarily as a STer in 2018. I would expect the Redskins to probably try to stash Fish Smithson on the PS or have a Safety on speed dial if Swearinger or Nicholson get injured. But in this case we'll keep Smithson as the 5th Safety.
Special Teams
P
Tress Way
K
Dustin Hopkins
LS
Nick Sundberg
Thoughts: Solid group. No competition during camp, so obviously these are locks.
PUP: Tracy McGee, Josh Holsey
Thoughts: I'd expect McGee to be re-activated after the first six weeks of the season. I expect Josh Holsey to be IRed or placed on non-football injury list.
The Redskins face the Patriots on 8/9 and then the Jets on 8/16, so the next roster prediction will come out around 8/17 or 8/18.