A look at the pre-free agency depth chart

With free agency possibly starting on Tuesday, it is a good time to take a look at the Redskins’ depth chart. As everyone knows, it is very much in flux and there are a lot of unknowns at this point. But let’s lay it out here using only players under contract and draft picks and going two deep at each position and take a look at what might happen as free agency unfolds.

Quarterback

Starter: John Beck

Of course, Donovan McNabb is still under contract but unless something strange happens (and it always could with this team), he is not in the picture for 2011. It seems that Rex Grossman will be back. It is unclear if Beck will be listed as the starter or if there will be an open competition for the starting job. The team will sign two more quarterbacks so that they have four for training camp. One is likely to be a undrafted college free agent. The interesting signing could be any veteran they bring aboard.

Running back

Starter: Ryan Torain
Backup: Keiland Williams

Torain almost certainly will get the first crack at starting. If he can stay healthy—one of the big if’s of the season—he could run for 1,200 yards this year. Williams will play a role but if Torain can’t go the starting job may well go to rookie Roy Helu. The Redskins have seven running backs on the roster, all under the age of 26, so competition for the three or four stating jobs will be lively.

Fullback

Starter: Mike Sellers
Backup: Darrell Young

Although Sellers is getting up there in age, he is in excellent condition and between that and his status as a special teams monster cements his role on the roster. Young may be on the bubble if they decide to keep four running backs on the roster.

Wide receiver

Starters: Anthony Armstrong, Leonard Hankerson
Backups: Malcolm Kelly, Terrence Austin

This portion of the depth chart is very much up in the air. By all indications, the Redskins are going to try to keep Santana Moss in the fold. Reports persist that they will try to land one of the big prized in free agency, Santonio Holmes of the Jets. If both Moss and Holmes come aboard, Kelly, Austin, Brandon Banks, and draft picks Niles Paul and Broderick Robinson will be fighting it out for one or two roster spots.

Offensive line

Starters (left to right): Trent Williams, Kory Lichtensteiger, Casey Rabach, Will Montgomery, Artis Hicks
Backups: Selvish Capers, Maurice Hurt, Eric Cook, Vacant, Clint Oldenburg

Yes, this is a thin unit. A free agent, whether it is last year’s starter Jammal Brown or an outsider, almost certainly will be brought in to start at right tackle. Some experienced depth and perhaps a starter at guard are likely to be on the Redskins’ free agency radar as well.

Defensive line

Starters: Jarvis Jenkins and Adam Carriker at ends, Maake Kemoeatu at nose tackle
Backups: Jeremy Jarmon and Vonnie Holliday at ends, Anthony Bryant at nose tackle

Jarmon and Phillip Daniels probably would share a spot if needed, with Daniels playing on running downs and Jarmon in passing situations. Kemoeatu may be on the bubble regardless of whether or not the team signs a free agent nose tackle. It’s also possible that a free agent end could be brought aboard. Rookie nose tackle Chris Neild could end up being in the picture as well.

Linebackers

Starters (left to right): Ryan Kerrigan, Lorenzo Alexander, London Fletcher, Brian Orakpo
Backups: Rob Jackson, Perry Riley, Robert Henson, Chris Wilson

This is assuming that Alexander does indeed add another position to his NFL resume by moving from outside linebacker to inside. Rocky McIntosh, last year’s starter at ILB, and Chris Wilson, who saw limited action at outside backer, are free agents. It seems likely that McIntosh will be gone.

Cornerbacks

Starters: DeAngelo Hall, Kevin Barnes
Backups: Byron Westbrook, Reggie Jones

Longtime starter Carlos Rogers is a free agent and is not expected to return. Phillip Buchanon, who was the nickel back and spot starter last year, also is a free agent and we’re not sure of his status. It will be interesting to see if the coaches have enough faith in Barnes to give him a shot either as a starter or at nickel back.

Safeties

Starters: LaRon Landry, Oshiomogho Atogwe
Reserves: Kareem Moore, Macho Harris

Atogwe is the Redskins’ first free agent addition, signed just before the lockout started. Chris Horton and Moore, both part of the struggling 2008 draft class, may be on the bubble for making the roster. Anderson Russell, who was on the practice squad on then on the active roster briefly before his season ended with a torn ACL, and draft picks DeJon Gomes and Brandyn Thompson could be in the picture here as well.

Specialists

Starters: Punter Sam Paulescu, Long snapper Nick Sundberg, Kicker Graham Gano
Backups: None

Certainly, competition could be brought in for these positions; none could be considered to have a lock on his job.

 

Comments

[Dave C.]

Rich,

I have but one comment after taking "a look at the pre-free agency depth chart"--SO MANY HOLES...SO LITTLE TIME!

P.S. I guess you've been holding back this new layout for your blog until after the lockout ended. Looks pretty nice.

[Chris J]

What about TEs?

[jahwriter]

This Free Agency is incredibly loaded but I believe the Redskins should still show some restraint and get the RIGHT GUYS not just the guy with the biggest name.

1. QB-Resign Grosssman. Get a undrafted rookie (hopefully Scott Tolzien) and a younger QB (Trent Edwards or Drew Stanton.). John Beck the starter.

2. RB-Like this young group with Roy Helu, Ryan Torain, Keiland WIlliams and Evan Royster. But wouldn't be surprised if they bring in another undrafted RB (Damine Berry or Darren Evans.) Ryan Torain the starter.

3. FB-Fine here as well. Mike Sellers is the starter.

4. WR-Don't see the point in getting Moss and Holmes there kind of the same guy, seems pointless. If its me I'd either get Moss, Steve Smith (NYG) or Jacoby Jones. And give the young rookies a serious shot this year. Starters Anthony Armstrong and FA WR.

5. OL-Man..this is a mess. Well you have the left side (Trent Williams and Kory Lichtensteiger) that will remain. But besides that things are kind of up in the air. I see 3 FA pickups that simply makes sense and most likely will happen. We get an OT (Ryan Harris, Jamaal Brown orCharlie Johnson) OG (Kasey Studdard, Marshal Yanda, Robert Gallery 0r Daryn Colledge) and a C (Samson Satele, Chris Spencer, Chris Chester or Jason Spitz). Capers or Oldenburg, Cook, Hurt and Will Montgomery is a backup. Hicks and Rabach cut.

[jahwriter]

This Free Agency is incredibly loaded but I believe the Redskins should still show some restraint and get the RIGHT GUYS not just the guy with the biggest name.

DL- This is a little better off but I see a lot of turnover here. Will get FA pickups to bluster this line as well, at DE (Cullen Jenkins or Marcus Spears) NT (Chris Hoke, Shaun Smith or Barry Coifield) along with Adam Carriker. Adam Carriker, FA DE, FA NT as the starters.

LB- OLB Ryan Kerrigan and Brain Orakpo are kind of a given. At ILB London Fletcher is a given as well. The real competition comes down to the ILB position where Lorenzo Alexander, Perry Riley and Robert Henson battle it out. I also see FA OLB (Matt Roth) to come in a compete. Ryan Kerrigan, Brian Orakpo, London Fletcher and Perry Riley as starters.

DB- Starters are pretty solid for the most part with D. Hall,K.Barnes, OJ Atogwe and L. Landry. However, they could upgrade at CB with a FA (Eric Wright, Richard Marshall, Ike Taylor or Antonio Cromartie) and have B.Westbrook and R. Jones battle for the roster spot. At the two safety positions behind the starters should be an interesting contest, one of the most interesting in camp. D. Hall, FA CB, Laron Landry and OJ Atogwe as starters.

ST- Gano stays put as does Sudenburg I see competiton brought in for the P position maybe a rookie FA (Chas Henry (FL)) or a vet (Adam Podlesh). Gano, Sudenburg and Paulescu as starters...not really confident about this one though.

[True Religion Outlet Online]

Unless Dubinsky is seeking a career contract for eight or nine years, there is no reason why the Blueshirts shouldn't want to give in and lock Brandon up long-term. The next time Dubinsky hits free agency he will be unrestricted, which means the Rangers would have to pay more in order to keep him on Broadway.