So now that preseason has come to an end, the Washington Redskins will start cutting players to get from 75 (where the roster is at now) to the final 53-man roster, which will be set on Friday night. Since I posted my 53-man roster predictions (which you can check out by clicking here) a lot of things have happened to change the landscape of everything. Here is how I think the final 53-man roster will look.
Quarterbacks (3)
- Robert Griffin III
- Rex Grossman
- Kirk Cousins
No surprise here, Cousins may pass Rex in the pecking order further down the road, but the backup spot belongs to Rex at the moment.
Halfback/Fullback (5)
In my previous roster prediction post, I talked about players on the bubble, well it just so happens that one of those players, Alfred Morris, has played his way onto the team. It should be really interesting what happens regarding the Redskins running back position. Will they keep four halfbacks or only three? If only three, then who gets cut? I believe barring a last-minute trade that the Redskins will go with four. Not sure if a depth chart is truly needed as we all know Shanahan normally goes with whoever has the hot hand in the backfield at the moment.
Halfback
- Tim Hightower
- Alfred Morris
- Roy Helu Jr.
- Evan Royster
Fullback
- Darrel Young
Wide Receivers (6)
The wide receiver race was possibly where the best competition of the preseason to make the final 53 occurred. The only change to this list that I think has occurred since my last breakdown is that Anthony Armstrong has lost his spot to Aldrick Robinson. Some may argue that the Redskins should keep seven receivers this year, I believe that may be the only way that Brandon Banks makes the roster.
Previous list:
Pierre Garcon, Josh Morgan, Santana Moss, Leonard Hankerson, Anthony Armstrong, Dezmon Briscoe
Final list:
- Pierre Garcon
- Josh Morgan
- Santana Moss
- Leonard Hankerson
- Aldrick Robinson
- Dezmon Briscoe
Tight Ends (3)
Well, a move that I was not expecting, but one that probably had to be made because of cap issues happened this week, veteran Chris Cooley was released. Beyond a re-signing by the Redskins, Cooley’s release answers the question that many had about how many tight ends should the Redskins keep; I predicted they would keep three. Logan Paulsen looks to benefit the most from this scenario.
- Fred Davis
- Logan Paulsen
- Niles Paul
Offensive Lineman (9)
Jammal Brown finally found his way onto the PUP list last week after having surgery, so I believe my projections from before will come out right as far as the offensive line is concerned.
Tackles:
- Trent Williams
- Tyler Polumbus
- Willie Smith
Guards:
- Kory Lichtensteiger
- Chris Chester
- Maurice Hurt (Hurt can play tackle and guard)
- Josh LeRibeus
- Adam Gettis
Center:
- Will Montgomery
Defensive Lineman (6)
Originally I had Chris Neild making the roster, since that time Neild had a season-ending knee injury. In his absence, Chris Baker has certainly stepped it up during the preseason.
Nose Tackle:
- Barry Cofield
- Chris Baker
Ends:
- Stephen Bowen
- Adam Carriker
- Jarvis Jenkins
- Kedric Golston
Linebackers (8)
If the Redskins go with three running backs, it may be a move that leads to nine linebackers being kept, if that happens Bryan Kehl will be the extra man in. I almost penciled Kehl in, but I’m not sure Shanahan will take the chance of Keenan Robinson not clearing waivers and making it to the practice squad. Chris Wilson made his case with a solid showing this preseason, but I believe Shanahan will go with the youth of second-year lb Markus White.
Outside:
- Brian Orakpo
- Ryan Kerrigan
- Rob Jackson
- Markus White
Inside:
- London Fletcher
- Perry Riley
- Lorenzo Alexander
- Keenan Robinson
Defensive Backs (10)
I predicted that this year Kevin Barnes would be cut, well he was traded to Detroit last Friday. I’m sticking with my original predictions here, and it should be noted that I said Richard Crawford would make the team before preseason. I honestly have no clue how they will stack up on a depth chart at this point though; this unit worries me the most about the team.
Josh Wilson, DeAngelo Hall, Cedric Griffin, Madieu Williams, Tanard Jackson, Brandon Meriweather, Reed Doughty, DeJon Gomes, Brandyn Thompson, Richard Crawford
Special Teams
Last week this category got real different, real quick. Billy Cundiff was brought in after being released by the Baltimore Ravens, and Graham Gano and Neil Rackers were released.
Kicker:
Billy Cundiff
Punter:
Sav Rocca
Long Snapper:
Nick Sundberg
