A look at the (shifting) wide receiver depth chart

Let’s take a look at the wide receiver depth chart in the wake of the return of Santana Moss, the trade for Jabar Gaffney, and the pending signings of Donte Stallworth and Brandon Stokley.

The Redskins now have 14 wide receivers on their roster—Moss, Stallworth, Gaffney, Anthony Armstrong, Leonard Hankerson, Terrence Austin, Taurus Johnson, Brandon Banks, Malcolm Kelly, Niles Paul, Maurice Price, Roydell Williams and Aldrick Robinson.

That seems like a big number and it is a little bit high for a 90-man training camp roster. The most that the Redskins will be able to carry on the roster is six. Moss, Armstrong, and Hankerson certainly have spots. You have to figure that Johnson, Price, and Williams are long shots to make it. The practice squad is a logical place for Robinson to land.

That leaves three spots—at most as the Redskins might decide to carry only five WR’s—for Austin, Kelly, Paul, Stallworth, Banks, Stokley,and Gaffney. Banks, of course, was the team’s return specialist last year. Although he was explosive at times, new rules moving kickoffs up five yards may diminish his value. It would help if he could play receiver, something he did infrequently last year.

If you give Banks a spot, that is two for the other six to compete for. Gaffney would seem to have an edge with his experience a solid season a year ago in Denver, but we will have to see how it all plays out in training camp.

Another edge for Gaffney—since the Redskins traded for him, he will be able to start practice right away. Stallworth will have to wait until Aug. 4.

Paul could go to the practice squad as could Austin.

 

Comments

[RR]

You forgot about Stokley in your analysis... You say 14, but you only list and then consider 13 receivers.

[James]

I just hope they know what they are doing. I am just waiting until Thursday when team cuts are made official and see how many lineman on both sides of the ball they try to sign. Why aren't they going after a CB? Why bring in that many receivers when you drafted 3 already? Where does youth play in this? The favorite to make the 53 man roster:

Santana Moss, Jabar Gaffney, Donte Stallworth, Anthony Armstrong, Leonard Hankerson, and Brandon Banks. I think they keep six WR out of those 14.

[Rob]

They signed the corner from Baltimore......Josh Wilson.

[Nunya]

Dumdum forgot Stockley. Crappy analysis!

[Jeff Harmon]

1. Tomorrow we will pick up either a DE (Cullen Jenkins) or NT (Kelly Gregg) to solidify the D line.

2. I hear a lot of people clamoring about O-line help and I completely understand that. But realistically what O Lineman really is off the table? Marshall Yanda (wanted to resign the whole time) and Robert Gallery (Wasnt really ever a consideration for the Skins in my opinion) thats it...every other lineman is STILL in play. That means the Davin Joseph's and Jammal Brown's of the world are still around. So...relax

3. Josh Wilson is a better CB than Carlos Rodgers, this is a upgrade at the position. He was rated the 5th overal best CB last year (when you calculate number of receptions against, break ups and turnover to td ratio.) Carlos Rodgers...not in the top 15...an upgrade. Period. Josh Wilson needs an agressive defense to be successful that allows him to press and play close to receivers, which is what will get in Washington, what he got in B-More and what he never had a chance to do in Seattle. He will excel here.

4. Like I said before, I agreed we would be aggressive but what I stuck by from the very beginning is that the Redskins would get solid high character guys to build this team around not big name guys...so far I'm right and believe I'll stay right through this process.

[Christian]

It's completely true that Josh Wilson is better than Carlos Rogers. He only allowed 49% of passes thrown his way to be completed last year. Rogers was upwards of 60%. In addition, Wilson can catch sure interceptions. Carlos had the worst hands I have ever seen on a corner.

As for the other signings, there is nothing terrible about what the Skins are doing here. They're simply addressing depth and camp competition. O line and D line will continue to be addressed i'm sure. The one player I wish the Skins would look at is Brad Smith from the Jets - out of Missouri. He is a fantastic all around football player - and no player is more versatile when it comes to offense, special teams, and the occasional wildcat.

[Brad]

My Take on what the plan is and has been, The established WR pickups are going to be rotated in and out to cause defences
coverage issues for new draft pick WR's to learn from and gain experience. This is why they have 1yr contracts. McNabb was brought in last yr. with the hopes of leading and mentoring the old and new players with a winning/positive attitude. Beck was picked up post preseason and before the first game, handed a playbook and coached the system with McNabb as a tutor. If McNabbs accuracy wouldn't have been so bad and not all was his fault in my opinion. The oline being hurt and rotated around in and out, shuffling also contributed. The one thing there were
a few games where a FG away from being a 10-6 team instead of 6-10. JMHO