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.
