The 53 version 1.0--The offense

We have figured out who the locks and the probables are. Now it is time to sort out the rest of the Redskins and figure out who will make the final cut and get one of the coveted 53 spots on the team’s final roster.

Today, we project the offense and we’ll look at defense and specialists on Friday.

See how the roster breaks down statistically at the bottom.

Quarterback (2)

Locks: John Beck, Rex Grossman
Others: None

For most of the 2000’s, Mike Shanahan’s Broncos ran with two quarterbacks on the roster. After going with Beck, Grossman, and McNabb this year, Shanahan will return to the two-QB setup. A third quarterback, perhaps Ben Chappell, perhaps another young one released by another team, might end up on the practice squad.

Running back (3)

Locks: Ryan Torain, Tim Hightower
Probables: Roy Helu
Others: None

Evan Royster could steal away Helu’s spot but it is unlikely that the team will carry more than three running backs on the initial roster. Fullback Keiland Williams was a tailback last year so he could fill in if needed.

Fullback (2)

Probables: Darrel Young, Keiland Williams

Although the Redskins used a fullback on only about a third of their plays last year, the above-noted versatility of Williams will keep him on the roster. Both players will be expected to be special teams contributors.

Tight end (3)

Locks: Chris Cooley, Fred Davis, Logan Paulsen
Others: None

This was how the depth chart looked at the end of training camp a year ago and there is no reason to think it will change. This is, of course, pending the health of Cooley’s knee.

Wide receiver (6)

Locks: Santana Moss, Jabar Gaffney, Anthony Armstrong, Leonard Hankerson
Others: Niles Paul (pictured), Terrence Austin

The assumption here is that Brandon Banks’ knee will force him on to injured reserve for the year. At this point we do not know if the injury is serious enough to shelve him for the year but this projection is based on that happening. Austin would seem to be the favorite to take the receiver/returner role although rookie Aldrick Robinson still has time to mount a challenge there. Donte Stallworth could make the squad although keeping the 30-year-old veteran over a younger receiver would run counter to the team’s stated goal of getting younger.

Offensive line (9)

Locks: Trent Williams, Kory Lichtensteiger, Will Montgomery, Chris Chester, Jammal Brown, Sean Locklear, Artis Hicks
Others: Maurice Hurt, Erik Cook

It remains to be seen if the team will rely on Hurt and Cook, neither of whom has an NFL play on his resume, or if they will check the waiver wires for more experienced depth.

The offensive breakdown:

Players: 25
Not on Redskins roster in 2010: 8
Average age: 26.9

 

Comments

[Danny Holden]

What about mike sellers?

[Mel]

RT Willie Smith makes it before Artis Hicks. Also, I disagree with WR's. Malcolm Kelly will make it if he plays in preason game #3. Kelly is more talented than Niles Paul.

[Skins Dude]

Hard to be talented on the sidelines. Paul is my sleeper breakout player three years from now.

Terrance Austin is making it really difficult to keep Banks. Also Stallworth can bring a lot to the team, will be youth vs experience decision between him and Austin.

[Fan in NC]

This looks pretty accurate. Might have missed on an OL or WR, but is probably spot on. Would love to see a QB, RB, OL, and DB developing on the practice squad. New mix of experience with youth is the best way to improve this team. The front office seems to making better decisions.

[T.J.]

Seems like there should be an outside chance of Royster taking Torian's spot if Torain doesn't get a lot more durable a lot faster. Hopefully Royster makes it through waivers and signs to the PS because he would definitely get promoted to active roster when Torain's annual injury happens. Also I thought Paul was a talented returner, are we going to see him get a shot in the kicking game this preseason?

[Rich Tandler]

@T. J. Can't see Royster on the 53 to start the season unless Torain is on IR. Certainly a realistic possibility. I guess we'll see Paul at some point during the preseason returning kicks. Can't really tell anything from practice.

[dr WNC]

Who is playing special teams for week 2 and 3 will be a key for the bubble players. Expecting differences from week 1 and think Austin and Niles find a way on the 53

[T.J.]

Any update on Torain's wrist? At this point with Helu and Royster behind Hightower would Torain get put on the IR or just released? I'm a big fan of how Torain plays but at some point you have to make it through 16 games to hang around in the NFL.

[BubbaRedOne]

Did Sellers get cut? I know he was moved to TE so that Young and Williams could get reps at FB ... seems like everyone is writing him off, you would think a veteran player like that would get released so he could have a chance to catch with another team.

[zatoichi]

i could easily see sellers bumping k williams off the roster. mel, i'm also intrigued by the potential of willie smith, but i think he is destined for the practice squad. disagree about kelly, no way he makes this team. aldrick robinson also on practice squad unless he steps it up. cutting stallworth will be the most difficult because he is playing very well, but i think the skins will be served by youth, they are developing a nice corps of wide receivers. picking up gaffney is probably the most underrated move of the off-season.

[sikologik]

"I'm a big fan of how Torain plays but at some point you have to make it through 16 games to hang around in the NFL."

Someone tell that to Malcolm Kelly.

[Gus]

Is it just me or does it seem that Pauls arms are short?

[Rich Tandler]

@Bubba, I am guessing that Sellers was given the option of being released right after the lockout ended or trying to make the team as a tight end. Looks like he chose the former. Odds against him making it but you never know.

[steve]

I can't see Sellers getting cut, Mike loves him and if he wasn't going to make the team I'm sure Mike would have extended him the same respect he did to PD93, Carter and Rabach. Also, I'm thinking Donte over Niles on the 53, we can always pull Niles off the practice squad if we have too.

[VAredskins]

keiland williams will not make this team as a fullback and to continue listing him as such is a typical error on your part. ryan torain won't last he like kelly is injury prone. there was a clause that said if i read correctly the third qb is a designation not a used roster spot now. robinson may make the practice squad but he isn't worth much as a returner he can't catch a punt or kick. you keep saying shanahan did this and that with denver who cares this is the NOW. the only locks at this time on this roster are moss, cooley , williams orakpo, kerrigan, and landry. i would include the free agent signings from this short off season but with one kicker already booted and several UFA's cut already the final roster with the shenanagins running things for week one isn't even set through week 12 or longer lol.

[Roy Jerome Green]

I don't know what a lot of you guys have been watching the past few years but Sellers is a bum and as such he not only should not make the team this year, he should have been cut a year ago.
He is overrated in Washington and only here, because around the league the other teams know he is a bum. K.Williams should not make this team, another bum who proved he could not block and pick up blitzes last year. R.Torain, and MKelly are two soft to play this game and they should get rid of both of them. As far as those young offensive linemen are concerned, they will not be given a chance on this team.

[Rich Tandler]

@VAredskins, thank you for pointing out my "typical" errors. I trust that you have put yourself out there by projecting a 53-man roster so that everyone can poke holes in yours?

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