Players on the Bubble
With the Washington Redskins starting training camp this week, it’s the perfect time to take a look at the players on the 90-man roster who are ‘on the bubble’ heading into 2014. What you will not find on this list are any players with a chance to start, and you will not find any long shot undrafted free-agents either, only players battling for backup positions.
- Leonard Hankerson – Hankerson has shown flashes of talent in his three years as a pro. But for the most part, Hank has spent his time either injured or dropping passes. The addition of DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts could spell the end of Hank-Time in DC, Hankerson’s playing time was already going to be in jeopardy with him coming off season-ending ACL and LCL injuries a year ago. In 30 games Leonard Hankerson has 81 catches for 1081 yards and six touchdowns. There is still a chance he could start camp on the PUP list (physically unable to perform).
- Brandon Jenkins – Many thought Jenkins was a steal a season ago, now he will have stiff competition for his backup role this year from rookie Trent Murphy. The Redskins also have outside linebacker Rob Jackson, so to say Jenkins is ‘on the bubble’ is an understatement….he needs a huge camp/preseason to make the team.
- Josh LeRibeus & Adam Gettis – The additions of Shawn Lauvao, Spencer Long and Mike McGlynn mean at the least that Gettis and LeRibeus are facing an uphill battle, counter that with the fact that neither of these two has started for the Redskins since being drafted by a different head coach.
- Bacarri Rambo – Rambo looked lost at times last year. The Redskins brought in former Steeler Ryan Clark to run the defense and re-signed Brandon Meriweather for another year and also have Phillip Thomas returning from injury (Thomas never took a snap a year ago).
- Aldrick Robinson – Robinson’s fate depends on if he can find a way to contribute to Jay Gruden’s offense. To this point, he has been a “one-trick pony,” meaning all he is good for is deep fly-routes. He’s got speed but so does everyone else in the Redskins receiving corp, in the end, it might come down to how many receivers the Redskins choose to keep.
- Evan Royster & Chris Thompson – Drafting Lache Seastrunk at the least says that the Redskins question what the have at the backup position. Thompson will be trying to bounce back from yet another injury in his career, and Evan Royster will be back in his usual ‘outside looking in’ role. Fact is this team already has not only a Pro-Bowler at starter, Alfred Morris but also a solid number two running back in Roy Helu. Competition should be ultra high for the third running back spot this year.
- Chase Minnifield & Richard Crawford – I would love to pencil Minnifield and Crawford into the ‘players locked in’ list heading to camp, but the fact is with the addition of Tracy Porter and Bashaud Breeland nothing is a given. E.J. Biggers appears to be the Redskins number 4 cornerback behind Porter, David Amerson, and Deangelo Hall.
[Featured Image via redskins.com]
