A new player added to the mix on an NFL team means that the job of at least one other player is threatened. NFL rosters are a zero sum game. For each opportunity given to a draft pick or free agent signing, one is lost by another, usually older, player.
After the April draft I like to take a look at the veterans have had their potential replacements drafted onto the team, the guys who should start working out a little harder, who should perhaps contemplate life after the Washington Redskins. After this rare July draft, there clearly is a target on the back of one veteran player.
The addition of Jeremy Jarmon gives the Redskins three players who, under the current defensive scheme, are suited to playing left defensive end—Jarmon, Phillip Daniels, and Renaldo Wynn. Daniels is the starter while Jarmon will make the roster.
Is there room for Wynn?
Wynn is a good player to have on the roster. He is a leader, a class act and he probably has something left in the tank. He's spent a season each as a Saint and a Giant since the Redskins cut him in training camp just prior to the 2007 season.
But, even counting Brian Orakpo as a linebacker, Jarmon is the ninth defensive end on the roster. It would be a stretch for them to keep five. Andre Carter is the other starter. Jarmon is guaranteed a roster spot. Somebody has to back up Carter on the right side so Alex Buzbee and/or Chris Wilson have to stick. Do you stick with Wynn at the expense of Rob Jackson, on whom you've already spent a year of development? Or do you even tie up that fifth roster spot on a DE knowing that Orakpo will be spending some time there?
Another way to look at it is that two defensive ends, Jason Taylor and Demetric Evans, are gone from last year's team. Daniels, who spent last year on injured reserve, and Jarmon are two additions. Add Orakpo into the equation and you have no seats left at the table.
It will be interesting to see who gets released when Jarmon is signed to a contract. It could be one of the camp fodder type DE's like J. D. Skolnitsky or Derek Walker. Or it could be Renaldo Wynn. If he's not going to make the team, that would at least give him a chance to catch on with another team. And if he's going to retire he can do so prior to going through a 13th season of training camp.
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