Here are some first impressions of the Redskins’ 53-man roster. Players new to the Redskins in 2015 are in italics. Rookies are also underlined.
The numbers: 24 offense, 26 defense, 3 specialists. 13 are new to the organization including six rookies.
Quarterbacks (3):
Starter: Kirk Cousins
Backup: Colt McCoy, Nate Sudfeld
The only question was Sudfeld and he showed enough to make to make it as a developmental quarterback.
Offensive line (9):
Starters: LT Trent Williams, LG Shawn Lauvao, C Kory Lichtensteiger, RG Brandon Scherff, RT Morgan Moses
Backups: OT Ty Nsekhe, G Spencer Long, G Arie Kouandjio, C Austin Reiter
This is pretty much the same group that they had last year with the exception of Reiter, who was on the practice squad. He will be the backup center, although his stay may be temporary if the Redskins can find a better option on the waiver wire.
Wide receiver (6)
Starters: Pierre Garçon, DeSean Jackson, Jamison Crowder (slot)
Reserves: Josh Doctson, Ryan Grant, Rashad Ross
As expected, Josh Doctson is off of the PUP list and part of the 53-man roster. Although it looked like a few undrafted players would make a run at the roster the group turns out to have five of six from last year returning with Doctson replacing Andre Roberts.
Tight end (3)
Starter: Jordan Reed
Reserves: Niles Paul, Vernon Davis
Logan Paulsen’s six-year run on the Redskins’ roster is apparently over. Free agent signee Davis is more athletic and is just about Paulsen’s equal as a blocker.
Running back (3)
Starter: Matt Jones
Reserves: Chris Thompson, Robert Kelley
Many were calling for Mack Brown to make the roster after his strong showing in the fourth preseason game in Tampa. They would like to keep Brown on the practice squad in the event of injury but if he should get claimed they could dip into an ample pool of free agent running backs to get a replacement.
Defensive line (6)
Starters: Chris Baker, Kedric Golston, Ziggy Hood
Reserves: Ricky Jean Francois, Kendall Reyes, Anthony Lanier
Cullen Jenkins was shown the door after a trying that just last a few days and fifth-round pick Matt Ioannidis was cut as well. Lanier making it as a undrafted free agent was a surprise to many but there has been some buzz that the coaches liked him since the preseason started. The Redskins kept seven here last year.
Outside linebacker (4)
Starters: Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith
Reserves: Houston Bates, Trent Murphy
Murphy has gone from outside linebacker to the defensive line and back again this year. Bates is unlikely to sleep well as the Redskins could be on the lookout for an upgrade in his spot on the waiver wire.
Inside linebacker (5)
Starters: Mason Foster, Will Compton
Reserves: Martrell Spaight, Terence Garvin, Su’a Cravens
The big surprise here came earlier this week when Perry Riley was cut. Cravens will be a hybrid linebacker/safety but he’s counted as a linebacker here.
Cornerback (6)
Starters: Josh Norman, Bashaud Breeland
Reserves: Kendall Fuller, Quinton Dunbar, Dashaun Phillips, Greg Toler
Once Toler worked his way into being a roster lock this group was pretty well set. There was talk that Dunbar may be in danger but he has too much potential to let go.
Safety (5)
Starters: DeAngelo Hall, David Bruton
Reserves: Will Blackmon, Duke Ihenacho, Deshazor Everett
Everett making the 53 seemed to be a long shot a few weeks ago but he not only worked his way on but his special teams ability is likely to keep him active every week. It’s notable that three of the five safeties, Hall, Blackmon, and Everett, were cornerbacks last year.
Specialists (3): LS Nick Sundberg, P Tress Way, PK Dustin Hopkins
This has been set in stone all year.
Fixed the italics and underlining SJ pointed out. Italics means new to the Redskins and underline means rookie.
