The Washington Football Team has concluded the workout, conditioning phase of training camp and has transitioned to full practices. A few major developments have occurred since my initial projection with the QB Alex Smith, Logan Thomas, and Ruben Foster being activated and RB Derrius Guice being released. To see my previous projection click here. Projected starters in bold.
OFFENSE:
Quarterback (2)- Dewayne Haskins, Kyle Allen. The name you don’t see there is Alex Smith. Smith was elevated to the roster of the PUP list on Sunday. Coach Ron Rivera has spoken highly of Smith and his mobility during side workouts. That being said Smith will be worked slowly back into practices. Smith will do individual drills but not full 11 on 11 work. With that being said, this is still Haskins’ job to lose. If Smith gets healthy then the battle comes down to Smith and Kyle Allen for the backup role. With Washington owning Smith $20 million dollars this season regardless of if he is on the roster or not, Smith will be afforded every opportunity possible.
Running Back (5)- Adrian Peterson, Antonio Gibson, Bryce Love, J.D McKissic, Peyton Barber. With the release of Derrius Guice, that gave an opening for all the running backs not named Antonio Gibson to make the roster. Love has looked fully healthy at the start, Peterson has been his usual self, and the others look similar. I still like Rivera and offensive coordinator Scott Turner to keep five running backs with Gibson’s versatility to line up as a receiver.
Wide Receiver (5)- Terry McLaurin, Antonio Gandy-Golden, Stephen Sims, Cam Sims, Dontrell Inman. Inman was a signing in response to Kelvin Harmon’s season ending injury and provides a veteran to maybe the youngest receiving corps in the league. Here the team could take a 6th receiver to backup Stephen Sims in the slot. Trey Quinn would be the most likely option however look out for undrafted rookie Johnathon Johnson. Similar skill set to Stephen Sims and would have benefited from preseason games.
Tight End (3)- Logan Thomas, Richard Rodgers, Thaddeus Moss. With Thomas being cleared of the COVID list, he moves to the top of the list. Rodgers has shown to be healthy and will be a good veteran backup. Moss is the project TE, but is an exceptional receiving talent. This leaves Jeremey Sprinkle and Hale Hentges on the outside looking in. Hentges would be a practice squad candidate.
Offensive Line (9)- Morgan Moses, Brandon Scherff, Chase Rouiller, Wes Martin, Cornelius Lucas, Saahdiq Charles, Keith Ismael, Wes Schweitzer, Paul Adams. No change in the players however it will be interesting to see who the starters are on the left side. I project Lucas and Martin but Charles, Christian, and Schweitzer will all be in play to start. This is a solid group with a mix of young talent and veteran leadership and experience.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line (7)- Chase Young, Da’Ron Payne, Jonathan Allen, Ryan Kerrigan, Montez Sweat, Matt Ioannidis, Tim Settle. The only change I made here was taking James Smith-Williams off the roster. With Foster healthy his inclusion meant a spot is taken. Young, Kerrigan, Sweat, and Ryan Anderson (who is still listed as a linebacker), can rotate on the outside while the other four can play inside. Also Kerrigan can go inside if needed if the team wants to do a NASCAR package on rushing downs. Smith-Williams will be on the practice squad.
Linebackers (8)-Thomas Davis, Ruben Foster, Cole Holcomb, Jon Bostic Shaun Dion-Hamilton, Ryan Anderson, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Khaleke Hudson. With Foster’s activation I’ve slid him into the starting lineup but that remains fluid. Projecting that Foster would start at the SLB, Davis at MLB, and Holcomb at WLB. Bostic can play all three as well as Dion-Hamilton, and Pierre-Louis has been flashing already. This is a crowded position but affords Coach Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio some flexibility.
Cornerbacks (6)- Fabian Moreau, Kendall Fuller, Jimmy Moreland, Ronald Darby, Aaron Colvin, Danny Johnson. Same as last week and the battle comes down to Greg Stroman and Danny Johnson. Both had shown flashes while showing some bad play as well. The starters are well entrenched with Darby ready to jump outside if needed.
Safeties (5): Landon Collins, Sean Davis, Troy Apke, Deshazor Everett, Kamren Curl. No change here as well. Only person that may need to look out is Everette if the team needs a roster spot somewhere else.
SPECIALISTS
- Kicker- Dustin Hopkins
- Punter- Tress Way
- Long Snapper- Nick Sundberg These guys are locked in.
Offense 24, Defense 26, Specialists 3
