Final Redskins Roster Projections

The preseason is over, we enter the last week before the return of NFL and Washington Redskins football.  Woooohoooo.  Now is the time for us to make our final 53 man roster prediction, based on Jim Zorn’s comments of 25 on offense, 25 on defense, and 3 on special teams.  (Starters are BOLD)

QB:  Jason Campbell is the starter and had a pretty decent preseason.  He is ready to roll.  Todd Collins is entrenched for the 4th straight year as Campbell’s backup.  Colt Brennan was suppose to compete with Collins, but it never materialized.  The camp/preseason battle here was for the third slot and between Brennan and rookie Chase Daniel.  Both played well last night, Brennan going 10-14 for 83 yards and Daniel going 8-16 for 85 yards and a TD pass.  That being said, we project the Redskins stick to the one that knows the system, Brennan wins the spot.   Redskins move Daniel to practice squad. 

Roster Players:  Jason Campbell, Todd Collins, Colt Brennan (3)

RB:  Clinton Portis is the man.  Ladell Betts will back him up and reportedly play a bigger role, such as becoming the feature 3rd down back.  Rightfully so.  Betts is good, and Portis does not need to get worn down by week 8 or 9.  Portis should not be carrying the ball 30 times per game anymore.  Rock Cartwright will hang on to the third slot because of his prowess on special teams, something the Redskins need.  Question here is will the Redskins carry a 4th tailback?  The battle is between Dominique Dorsey, Marcus Mason, and Anthony Aldridge.  Aldridge made a absolutely devastating and critical fumble in the last game that led to a Jacksonville TD.  Mason’s problem is, he simply can’t block well and is not a valuable special teamer.  Mike Sellers has the lock on FB.  My bet is, the Redskins decide to go with the same total as they did in 2008, 4 backs.  Outside shot here that the ‘Skins could keep draft pick FB Eddie Williams on the roster as a backup to Sellers.  If the Redskins decide to carry 5 backs, we suspect it will be Anthony Aldridge, despite the bone headed fumble. 

UPDATE:  With Vinny Cerrato saying that there is a possibility of carry 5 running backs, we will change to reflect.  We project that Marcus Mason will beat out Anthony Aldridge.  

Roster Players:  Clinton Portis, Ladell Betts, Rock Cartwright, Marcus Mason,  Mike Sellers (5)

WR:  The main man is and will be Santana Moss.  The question is, will Moss get any kind of help this year?  My answer is —YES.  I think both Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas look like they are leaps and bounds over last season.  I think both will be heavy contributors.  Malcolm Kelly wins the starting role opposite Moss, with Antawn Randle El in the slot.  Don’t feel bad for Thomas, he will likely get his reps as well.  The big story is the surprising rise of 7th round pick Marko Mitchell.  hey, not only am I glad Marko wrapped up a roster spot last night, but I also want to see this kid in the regular season get some throws.  He’s good.  Damn good.  For the preseason, Mitchell led Redskins receivers with 11 catches for 133 yards and 3 TDs.  Impressive.  Redskins will likely only carry the five receivers.

Roster Players:  Santana Moss, Malcolm Kelly, Antwaan Randle El, Devin Thomas, Marko Mitchell  (5)

TE:  Chris Cooley is not only the best on the roster, but one of the best in the NFL.  Fred Davis is the main backup.  Davis looked decent in preseason, but I still did not see the flare that the supposed ‘best TE’ in the 2008 draft at a major university like USC, should show.  I just don’t see it.  Davis sticks though.  He caught 5 passes for 57 yards and a TD in preseason.  Todd Yoder returns as a blocking tight end.  Robert Agnone is odd man out and false starts don’t help. 

Roster Players:  Chris Cooley, Fred Davis, Todd Yoder (3)

OL:    The starters are and have been set for weeks.  Chris Samuels and Derrick Dockery handle the left sidfe of the Line.  Casey Rabach returns to anchor the middle.  Randy Thomas and Stephon Heyer make up the right side.  Heyer won the right tackle job two weeks ago, beating out Jeremy Bridges and Mike Williams.  Bridges and Williams stay on as depth, although I think Williams more so because of the investment in him, rather than deserving to stay.  Will Montgomery has earned the praises of both Zorn and Joe Bugel.  Praise from both equals roster spot.  He is flexible and can play both C and G and will serve the role of backing up Rabach at C.  Chad Rhinehart, third round pick last year, has taken some significiant strides, and should Thomas injury problems occur, I have a bit more faith this year that Rhinehart will handle the role just fine.  Since the Redskins are projected here to carry only 4 running backs, I think undrafted Maryland rookie Edwin Williams wins a roster spot.  Personally, if you are going to carry 25 on offense, I would prefer the extra man be depth on the Line anyway, given the age of the Redskins starters. 

UPDATE:  With the addition of a 5th running back, we have to lop off 1 OL.  That would be Edwin Williams.  Williams is a big target for the practice squad. 

Roster Players:  Chris Samuels, Derrick Dockey, Casey Rabach, Randy Thomas, Stephon Heyer, Mike Williams, Jeremy Bridges, Chad Rhinehart, Will Montgomery, Edwin Williams.

DL:  Starters are and have been set.  Phillip Daniels and Andre Carter will serve as starters at the Ends.  $100 million Albert Hayensworth and Cornelius Griffin serve as a fearsome twosome in the middle.  This is one of the better defensive lines the Redskins have had in years.  Carter should benefit from Haynesworth’s presence.  Supplemental pick Jeremy Jarmon will win a spot and play a role.  Renaldo Wynn will also win a role because of his veteran status and flexibility.  In the middle, disgruntled Anthony Montgomery stays on the roster, despite a popular idea that he could be axed.  Why cut him?  He is a valuable backup with good experience.  Kedric Golston should see time behind Griffin.  I can’t picture Griffin being completely healthy all year.  Perhaps before Monty gets all upset, maybe he should realize he is not even the best reserve.  I like Golston and think he is the better DT between him and Monty.  Golston makes plays and gets to the QB.  Lorenzo Alexander is a lock.  Lorenzo can play DE, DT, and OL.  That flexibility equals job security. Antonio Dixon has caught the eye of the coaches and should have.  He is likely slated for the practice squad.       

Roster Players:  Phillip Daniels, Andre Carter, Albert Haynesworth, Cornelius Griffin, Renaldo Wynn, Lorenzo Alexander, Jeremy Jarmon, Anthony Montgomery, Kedric Golston (9)

LB:  The starters are 13th overall pick Brain Orakpo, drafted as a DE and converted to a strong side linebacker.  The conversion I think has gone exceptionally well and Orakpo will continues to progress each game he plays.  He will line up on the line on third down pass rush situations.  Rocky McIntosh serves as weakside linebacker and veteran London Fletcher anchors the middle and organizes the defense.  HB Blades is trusted, tested, and serves as Fletcher backup, a Fletcher type mold player.  Blades had a nice game last night.  Veteran Robert Thomas will serve as backup and will also be expected to play
a key role on special tea
ms.  Chris Wilson joins Orakpo as a converted DE to LB and will also serve pass rush situations.  One of the draft picks we project will make the roster, Cody Glenn or Robert Henson.  Henson has showed some big time promise at times, then others he looks like he is just lost.  We project Glenn makes the roster and Henson to the practice squad.  But he will make the team. 

UPDATE:  We are changing our projection from Cody Glenn to Robert Henson as the final LB. 

Roster Players:  Brian Orakpo, London Fletcher, Rocky McIntosh, Robert Thomas, HB Blades, Chris Wilson, Cody Glenn, Robert Henson (7)

CB:  Carlos Rogers and DeAngelo Hall are the starters.  I must admit, I am a bit concerned about Rogers inactivity in the preseason in camp with a calf injury and the effect on the first few weeks of the season.  Fred Smoot is entrenched as nickel corner and I don’t think he was really pushed.  That was disappointing.  Kevin Barnes, the 3rd round pick of the draft, will make the roster because he was the third round pick.  He has some serious potential to be an impact player, but is not ready for that role yet.  Justin Tryon wins the final slot and likely faces his last chance to seal a spot.  He can do that by becoming an Ade Jimoh type special teams player. 

Roster Players:  Carlos Rogers, DeAngelo Hall, Fred Smoot, Kevin Barnes, Justin Tryon (5)

S:  Starters were never a question.  Laron Landry, likely my pick for best overall player on the roster, and Chris Horton, an absolute 7th round gem from last year’s draft, are entrenched as starters.  Reed Doughty had an impressive preseason and was a beast last night.  He finishes the preseason with 15 tackles and a sack.  Doughty provides outstand depth for the Redskins.  Kareem Moore will return to backup Laron Landry.  Lendy Holmes led the Redskins in tackles in the preseason, made some nice tackles on special teams, and could have earned his way on to the practice squad.  Could he be a stunner pick for the 53 man roster?

Roster Players:  Laron Landry, Chris Horton, Reed Doughty, Kareem Moore (4)

Specials:  The big battle that went out as a whimper.  Chances weren’t there and the competition sucked.  Then again, if the Redskins wanted quality competition, Raynor is the best the could find?  Fact is this — Shaun Suisham nailed a 48 yard field goal last night.  That make also locked the job.  Suisham beats out Dave Raynor.  Welcome back Suisham.  Hunter Smith is the first legit punter the Redskins have had in years.  Finally!  Ethan Albright, the longest tenured Redskin, returns as long snapper. 

Roster Players:  Shaun Suisham, Hunter Smith, Ethan Albright

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