Burner's Burning Questions: Free Agency, Mock Drafts, Camps, Roster Predictions, 2018
Greetings to all. Summer is continuing to bring the heat and training camp arrives later next week. Hello to everyone on social media. We extend an invitation to take a look around here and hope you will become a member.
Today we will evaluate those veterans who must take a significant step forward this coming season and we will also see who could be on the roster bubble.
These evaluations are highly subjective, but we will attempt to look into the future and see if any of these players will be cut or if they remain for another season. Who will survive another season? Who will ultimately be cut? Who will be a surprise cut? Will a player or players be traded?
Let's get right to it.
Veteran Evaluations
Robert Kelley, RB
We know that Derrius Guice is a lock to make the roster and the same is true for Chris Thompson. Samaje Perine is likely locked into a roster spot as well. Kelley will need to have a good camp and preseason if he wants to remain a Redskin.
BBQ Prediction: He will make the roster over Kapri Bibbs, but that competition could be very close.
Shawn Lauvao, OG
Lauvao is considered to be the starter at left guard for now, but that could change at any given moment. The Redskins could bring in a veteran off of waivers from another team late in the preseason or a young player currently on the roster could step up and challenge Lauvao.
BBQ Prediction: He is the starter until proven otherwise, but there are no guarantees beyond the final preseason game.
Brian Quick, WR
His position on the roster is very iffy, even though he signed a new contract this off-season. Quick's first season with the Redskins in 2017 was unimpressive and he could be an early casualty during the first roster cuts if his training is lackluster.
BBQ Prediction: Making it to the roster of fifty-three may not happen, especially if younger players step up quickly.
T.J. Clemmings, OT
Remember him? Yeah, we don't remember him either. The only way Clemmings makes the roster would be due to multiple season ending injuries to other tackles in training camp and/or the preseason.
BBQ Prediction: The Latin term for players such as Clemmings is, “campo fodderusâ€.
Maurice Harris, WR
Harris has flashed at times and has always been a fan favorite for his potential. When did potential need to convert to consistent production? Entering his fourth year, Harris is a longshot to make the roster.
BBQ Prediction: Perhaps he can produce with another team. His time in Washington is coming to an end.
Jordan Reed, TE
Is the injury bug behind him? Can he last the season? No one disputes the talent that is Jordan Reed and he is on this list only because of mounting injuries. He is a roster lock and the hope is that a full and productive season is on deck.
BBQ Prediction: An injury will happen and multiple games will be missed. Injured reserve list is possible.
Phil Taylor, DT
Taylor could be in his final weeks as an NFL player. He hasn't played a down in the league since 2014. He was having a good preseason last year until another injury sidelined him. Hope is fading fast. The Redskins are now loaded on the defensive line and Taylor is the odd man out.
BBQ Prediction: Taylor may have another good preseason and a needy team could offer a conditional late round pick for him.
Stacy McGee, DT
McGee had a decent 2017, but nothing really stood out. Will a numbers game end his Redskins run after only one season? It's possible, but he does need to have a stellar camp and preseason.
BBQ Prediction: This is strictly a numbers game and we think he is clearly on the bubble. A poor camp and/or preseason could doom his chances.
Ziggy Hood, DE
Ziggy (don't you just love this name?) should be a roster lock as a backup defensive end after playing out of place at tackle last season. His steady improvement over the last two seasons ensures his place on the roster.
BBQ Prediction: Moving to the outside will help Hood and the team. He is definitely staying.
Quinton Dunbar, CB
He is not on the bubble and he is certainly on the roster of fifty-three. Dunbar is currently projected to be the starter opposite Josh Norman. The time is now for Dunbar.
BBQ Prediction: After years of hard work and facing enormous odds, Dunbar is hoping to have an impact in 2018. He seems to thrive on it and he could shine this season.
Fabian Moreau, CB
Can he have a breakout year in the same manner as Kendall Fuller did last year? That is the hope. Moreau was dealing with a lingering injury in his first season, but did see some action on the field.
BBQ Prediction: Moreau's spot on the roster is secure. He could have a very good season as the slot corner and could possibly start ahead of Dunbar.
Martrell Spaight, ILB
We'll simply repeat what we said last year.
It's unlikely he will crack the starting lineup – ever. He only makes the roster with his special teams play – which is actually a strength for him.
BBQ Prediction: He really could be in danger of getting cut. Needs to shine on special teams, but it may not be enough.
Ryan Anderson, OLB
Anderson needs to make a major step forward in 2018. He obviously makes the roster based on his 2017 draft status, but it is time for him to take those next steps.
BBQ Prediction: Ryan Anderson has lost some weight in the off-season and plans to have a greater impact. We'll see if there are any improvements in training camp and the preseason.
Deshazor Everett, SS
Adding CB/SS/FS Adonis Alexander in the supplemental draft didn't necessarily put Everett on the chopping block, but it did serve notice to him that more competition is on the way. Everett is a solid special teams player and that certainly works in his favor.
BBQ Prediction: One of the hardest hitters on the team likely stays, but his play at strong safety needs to improve.
Some of these observations could be too optimistic. Some could be too pessimistic. How do you think the Redskins careers of these players will continue to unfold? Which ones have reached the end of their careers? Which ones will the Redskins jettison before the season begins? Which one of these players will stay? Feel free to agree or disagree. Too, feel free to post any of your career evaluations and expectations of these Redskins veterans.
We'll continue our offseason examinations of the roster later this week. We will look at new players who arrived via free agency this off-season and early next week will bring an evaluation of the draftees and UDFAs the Redskins obtained back in April and May. Next week's evals will also be the final look at player evaluations for 2018. Feel free to scroll back to see our previous evaluations over the last couple of months.
Training camp arrives later next week (Thursday). BBQ will have a roster of fifty-three and practice squad prediction posted here on the eve of camp. When training camp arrives we will have daily updates and additional roster predictions just prior to the fourth and final preseason game. We'll also post any free agency updates - if needed.
We're getting closer to football returning!
See you as we go along.
Hail To The Redskins!