Washington Commanders

Washington Redskins: Projecting The Final 53-Man Roster

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Aug 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Washington Redskins defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Redskins are going to be announcing their roster cuts in less than 24 hours. Who is the team going to hold on to?

The Washington Redskins are facing their most difficult round of roster cuts in recent memory. By 4:00 p.m. tomorrow, the Redskins will have to cut their roster down to the 53, which means 22 players will be released by then. The team has a lot of talent at every position, and it is going to be interesting to see what they do before the 53-man roster deadline.

With that in mind, here is our best guess at what is going to happen tomorrow.

Aug 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Nate Sudfeld (2) throws the ball during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterbacks (3)

Kirk Cousins
Colt McCoy
Nate Sudfeld

Cuts: None

As of right now, I am projecting that the Redskins will keep all three of their quarterbacks. Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy are obvious roster locks, but there are still questions about whether or not Nate Sudfeld will make the team.

The Redskins have a very talented depth chart and they are pretty set at the quarterback position. Sudfeld is not going to see time this season unless disaster strikes for the team. That said, the team will have a tough decision to make about whether or not to keep him.

At the end of the day, it is likely that they will decide to hold on to him. Given the lack of quality quarterbacks in the NFL, the Redskins do not want to let Sudfeld go. A quarterback needy team like the Minnesota Vikings or the Dallas Cowboys could scoop him up and develop him as a third string player. The Skins will not want to risk a divisional rival grabbing their guy, so they will likely hang on to Sudfeld. As a result, the team will not cut any quarterbacks in 2016.

Aug 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Washington Redskins running back Mack Brown (34) runs 60 yards for a touchdown during the second quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Running Backs (4)

Matt Jones
Robert Kelley
Chris Thompson
Mack Brown

Cuts: Joe Kerridge

If there was any question about whether or not Mack Brown would make the roster, Wednesday’s preseason game destroyed that very quickly. Brown was absolutely phenomenal during the game and he totaled 149 rushing yards during the game. He also had a beautiful 60 yard touchdown run that showcased his excellent elusiveness and agility. He will make the team as the fourth back and he could be a weapon down the road.

The real question at this position is will the Redskins end up keeping a fullback or not? They let longtime fullback Darrel Young go in free agency this offseason, so it seems likely that they will not want to hold on to one. Because of this, Joe Kerridge seems to be a roster long shot. He will likely end up being amongst the first cuts by the team. He did not play poorly in the preseason, but Jay Gruden just does not like fullbacks all that much.

Matt Jones, Robert Kelley, and Chris Thompson have cemented themselves as roster locks.

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Josh Doctson (TCU) after being selected by the Washington Redskins as the number twenty-two overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Receivers (6)

DeSean Jackson
Pierre Garcon
Jamison Crowder
Ryan Grant
Rashad Ross
Josh Doctson

Cuts: Maurice Harris, Kendal Thompson, TJ Thorpe

The Redskins are absolutely stacked at the receiver position. They have six very solid players who could end up making one of the best receiver corps in the NFL. Unfortunately for Maurice Harris, Kendal Thompson, and TJ Thorpe, that will end up costing them a roster spot.

The only possible curveball will be Josh Doctson. Technically, Doctson has not yet come off the PUP list, but he should be activated ahead of tomorrow’s cuts. If he somehow suffers a setback, that would open the door for Harris to possibly make the team.

Still, it seems extremely unlikely for that to happen. The Redskins are going to keep the six players mentioned above. Harris could end up catching on with another team, and at the very least he will be a member of the Redskins practice squad.

Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Redskins tight end Niles Paul (84) prepares for a game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Tight Ends (3)

Jordan Reed
Vernon Davis
Niles Paul

Cuts: Logan Paulsen, Marcel Jensen

As mentioned earlier, the Redskins have some really difficult decisions to make, and one of them is at the tight end position. Jordan Reed is a roster lock, and it seems like Vernon Davis has played himself onto the roster as well. The question now is how many tight ends can the team keep? My wager is that they can only afford to keep three.

As a result of this, the team is going to have to make a tough choice between Niles Paul and Logan Paulsen. Paul was the team’s top tight end before the emergence of Reed, and he enjoyed a career year in 2014. He brings a combination of receiving talent and blocking ability to the position. Paulsen has been mainly a blocker since joining the Redskins in 2010. He is great at what he does, but because he is less versatile I think he may have trouble making the final roster.

However, the team could end up making Paul the surprise cut. Reed and Davis are both very strong receivers, so perhaps if the Redskins want a stronger blocker, they will turn to Paulsen. Regardless of what happens, this will be one of the most interesting positions to watch for the Redskins.

Jan 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) and center Josh LeRibeus (67) and guard Spencer Long (61) and running back Alfred Morris (46) in action during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. The Redskins defeat the Cowboys 34-23. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Line (8)

Trent Williams
Shawn Lauvao
Spencer Long
Brandon Scherff
Morgan Moses
Ty Nsekhe
Kory Lichtensteiger
Arie Kouandjio

Cuts: Vinston Painter, Josh LeRibeus, Takoby Cofield, Isaiah Williams, Nila Kasitati, Austin Reiter

The Redskins are going to have to cut an extra offensive player if they want to keep all of their quality defenders on the roster. The position that gets cut short could end up being the offensive line, given the versatility they have at the position.

Starters Spencer Long and Brandon Scherff can play multiple positions on the line. Long can play all interior positions while Scherff could probably play both guard spots and the right tackle position. Kory Lichtensteiger can also play every interior line position. Due to this fact, the coaches may feel comfortable keeping just eight offensive lineman for the season.

Essentially, the team has six linemen who are safe in Long, Scherff, Lichtensteiger, Trent Williams, Morgan Moses, and Shawn Lauvao. Aside from them, the coaching staff really likes Ty Nsekhe and he wil likely be the swing tackle on game days. The final position will come down to a battle between Arie Kouandjio and seventh rounder Austin Reiter. Kouandjio has experience and is probably more valuable than Reiter now. He will make the team while Reiter may be a practice squad candidate.

Jul 28, 2016; Richmond, VA, USA; Washington Redskins defensive end Chris Baker (92) walks onto the field prior to morning walkthrough on day one of training camp at Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Line (7)

Ziggy Hood
Cullen Jenkins
Ricky Jean-Francois
Chris Baker
Kedric Golston
Kendall Reyes
Anthony Lanier

Cuts: Matt Ioannidis, Corey Crawford, Jerrell Powe

This position is probably the most unpredictable on the team. While the team has a few locks including Chris Baker, Kedric Golston, Ziggy Hood, and Ricky Jean-Francois, it is impossible to predict what they will do with their final three spots. They have four qualified candidates and it will be hard for them to choose an odd man out.

One man who seems to be on the inside of the bubble in undrafted man Anthony Lanier. He has played his tail off this preseason and the coaching staff really seems to like him as a player. He is young and has upside. The team will not risk losing him on the waiver wire.

I would also bet that Kendall Reyes is going to make the team. Though he had a rough couple of seasons in San Diego, he could be a solid backup for the Redskins. He adds experience and can give them a decent rotational player until Lanier is ready to step into a bigger role.

That leaves Cullen Jenkins and fifth rounder Matt Ioannidis on the bubble. Based off of the play of Jenkins in preseason week 4, I would give the job to him. He brings versatility to the team and will be worth the one-year deal that they gave him. Meanwhile, Ioannidis looks like he needs some time to develop. The team already has a good nose tackle in Golston, so they can try and stash Ioannidis on the practice squad. He is not likely to be claimed.

Aug 26, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Jonathan Williams (40) is tackled by Washington Redskins defensive end Preston Smith (94) during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Outside Linebackers (4)

Ryan Kerrigan
Preston Smith
Trent Murphy
Houston Bates

Cuts: Lynden Trail, Michael Wakefield

Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith, and Trent Murphy are all safe. That is a given. It also appears that special teams star Houston Bates will make the team as the fourth edge rusher. It seems like this battle will not be all that competitive.

Still, Lynden Trail and Michael Wakefield had decent preseasons for the Redskins. Both had an impact when they played, so perhaps they could be practice squad candidates. Trail probably has more upside than Wakefield, so it will be interesting to see if the Skins elect to keep either player around.

Aug 19, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; New York Jets tight end Kellen Davis (47) fumbles on a hit by Washington Redskins linebackers Preston Smith (94), Perry Riley Jr. (56) and Martrell Spaight (50) at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Inside Linebackers (5)

Mason Foster
Will Compton
Martrell Spaight
Su’a Cravens
Terence Garvin

Cuts: Carlos Fields Jr.

This is another position that is relatively easy to predict. After Perry Riley was cut earlier in the week, the competition at the inside linebacker position appeared to end. Mason Foster won a starting job while the rest will play various roles. Martrell Spaight could end up being the starter next to Foster. He has enjoyed a terrific preseason and it looks like a year on the IR did him some good.

Rookie Su’a Cravens has also flashed potential at times for the team. He has shown good cover skills and instincts, and he should end up being a future star. For now, he is a very good backup that should have an impact on the game in certain packages.

Will Compton is a solid, do-it-all linebacker. He can play any role for the team and should be a good depth guy. Finally, Terence Garvin is a terrific special teams player and he will make the team. The coaches have praised his work ethic and ability. He and Bates will make the Redskins a tough special teams unit to face.

The odd man out here is Carlos Fields Jr. He had a decent preseason, but he did not do enough to take a roster spot away from any of the veterans.

Aug 26, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins defensive back Josh Norman (24) celebrates after a tackle against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Cornerbacks (6)

Josh Norman
Bashaud Breeland
Kendall Fuller
Dashaun Phillips
Greg Toler
Quinton Dunbar

Cuts: Mariel Cooper, Lloyd Carrington

Again, these spots seem to be all but locked up. Josh Norman and Bashaud Breeland are going to be the starting corners for the team. Kendall Fuller and Dashaun Phillips will handle slot duties, though it is unknown who the starter will be as of now. The backups will be Greg Toler, a savvy veteran, and Quinton Dunbar, a physical player with upside who the Redskins like. This unit could end up being one of the strongest on their team.

Mariel Cooper and Lloyd Carrington are going to miss the cut. They have flashed at times, but they never had a realistic chance to make the team. The Redskins are just so deep at the position. All these two were doing was auditioning for other teams.

Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Redskins strong safety DeAngelo Hall (23) in action against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Safeties (4)

DeAngelo Hall
David Bruton
Deshazor Everett
Duke Ihenacho

Cuts: Will Blackmon, Geno Matias-Smith

This is a position where there could be a surprise. DeAngelo Hall and David Bruton are locks, but the depth is going to be a big question. The team has three capable players at the safety position, and the question is will they keep all of them? I think the answer is no.