The Washington Redskins have their 53-man roster all set. The team rewarded talent, who proved themselves in camp and preseason, over underachieving talent.
Wide receiver Robert Davis Jr. made the roster, but it wasn’t easy. Last year, Davis suffered a broken tibia and multiple ligament damage to his right knee. Davis had to endure months of rehab and was low on the team’s depth chart at the start of camp. During camp, Davis’ said “[he] wasn’t sure that [he’d] play again.” With all that going against him, he was able to perform at a high level in the preseason. Davis had 115 receiving yards and two touchdowns, including a 55-yard and a 46-yard touchdown reception. He also was valuable on special teams. As a gunner on punts, Davis recovered two fumbles against the Atlanta Falcons. Davis’ determination and grit got him a spot on the roster. All-time great boxer, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has a motto “hard work, determination”, which symbolizing this grind for greatness. Davis’ rise embodies this motto. His story is not complete but hopefully, it’s just beginning.
Undrafted rookie out of Kansas, wide receiver Steven Sims Jr. was another receiver that was on the bubble. He was a guy that many observers liked in camp. Sims Jr. has 4.3 speed and that can’t be taught. In the preseason, the undrafted rookie didn’t turn heads as a receiver but in the final game he showed out as a kickoff returner. The Redskins have been looking for an electric return man since Brandon Banks. Banks played for the team from 2010-2012 (I could mention Brian Mitchell but that’s too easy). He averaged 9.4 yards per punt return during his time in D.C. In his final preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sims had kickoff returns for 41 and 39 yards. After the game Redskins head coach Jay Gruden described Sims Jr. as “exciting.” That excitement landed Sims Jr. a spot on this roster— possibly as the Redskins return man. This camp was more about earning a spot and less about politics.
Former 1st rounder of the 2016 draft, Josh Doctson never lived up to his potential. The team saw flashes but Docton never became “the guy”. This led to the team cutting the former 1st rounder. Doctson teased the team and fan base. For example, in the 2017 season, he made an amazing 52-yard TD catch by leaping over former Redskins and then Oakland Raider cornerback David Amerson. Also, in the same season, he made a diving catch against the Seattle Seahawks to lead the Redskins to an improbable victory. All that is fine, but the team needs consistency at the receiver position. In his three seasons with the Redskins, Doctson had two 500-yard seasons, which is not acceptable for a 1st round pick. Doctson wasn’t the only surprising cut.
In the 2017 draft, the Redskins drafted Samaje Perine in the 4th round with the thought that he could be their every-down back. Perine never really worked out. The once University of Oklahoma standout out never showed the talent that made him OU’s career rushing leader (ahead of Adrian Peterson). Perine’s rookie season was his best season with the Redskins. He rushed for 603 yards on 175 carries but only averaged 3.4 yards a carry. Perine’s lack of explosion in the running game and his inability to secure the football led to his demise as a Redskin. Perine was claimed off waivers and is now a Cincinnati Bengal.
Here is the Redskins 53-man roster:
Quarterbacks
Case Keenum, Colt McCoy, Dwayne Haskins
Running backs
Adrian Peterson, Derrius Guice, Chris Thompson, Wendell Smallwood, *Shaun Wilson
- The Redskins claimed Wendell Smallwood off waivers. He is a hard runner and has experience as a special teams returner. Smallwood was cut by the Philadelphia Eagles. The Redskins cut running back Byron Marshall to make room for Smallwood.
- Shaun Wilson had a very productive camp. He showed great burst hitting the hole. He was injured (ankle) in the Redskins preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The team has put him on the injured reserve list, but he could be eligible to return during the season. Wilson played with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year as an undrafted rookie out of Duke.
Wide Receivers
Terry McLaurin, Paul Richardson, Trey Quinn, Robert Davis Jr, Kelvin Harmon, Steven Sims Jr.
Tight Ends
Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, and Jeremy Sprinkle
Offensive Tackles
Donald Penn, Morgan Moses, Geron Christian Sr.
Guards
Brandon Scherff, Ereck Flowers Sr., Wes Martin
Centers
Chase Roullier, Tony Bergstrom, Ross Pierschbacher
Defensive Line
Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Matt Ioannidis, Tim Settle, Caleb Brantley, Treyvon Hester
- The team signed Treyvon Hester after cuts. Hester was a 7th round pick of the Oakland Raiders in 2017. He also played with the Eagles last season. Hester provides depth to the defensive line especially with Tim Settle and Caleb Brantley nursing injuries—Settle (knee) and Brantley (foot).
Inside Linebackers
Jon Bostic, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Josh Harvey-Clemons, Cole Holcomb, *Reuben Foster
- ILB Reuben Foster tore his ACL in OTAs. Foster could have been a big playmaker in 2019. The team had high hopes for him. They are banking that Jon Bostic holds it down for him. Bostic played with the Indianapolis Colts last year and racked up 97 tackles. Foster is on the injured reserve list.
Outside Linebackers
Ryan Anderson, Ryan Kerrigan, Montez Sweat, Cassanova McKinzey, *Jordan Brailford
- Rookie 7th round pick Jordan Brailford was put on the teams’ injured reserve list. Brailford would be eligible to return this season. He could help them down the road as an efficient pass rusher.
Cornerbacks
Josh Norman, Quinton Dunbar, Fabian Moreau, Jimmy Moreland, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Greg Stroman
Safeties
Landon Collins, Montae Nicholson, Troy Apke, Deshazor Everett
Long Snapper
Nick Sundberg
Punter
Tress Way
Kicker
Dustin Hopkins
**Other Roster moves**
Active/Non-Football Injury
Bryce Love, Running Back
Practice Squad
- Adonis Alexander, Defensive Back
- Ryan Bee, Defensive Lineman
- Jehu Chesson, Wide Receiver
- J.P. Holtz, Tight End
- Chris Odom, Defensive End
- Timon Parris, Offensive Tackle
- Jeremy Reave, Safety
- Craig Reynolds, Running Back
- Cam Sims, Wide Receiver
- Darrell Williams, Linebacker
*Cam Sims had a great opportunity to make this team. However, his play against the Ravens led him off the main roster—Sims had three dropped passes. The team still believes in him, but he must regain their trust.
For the most part, the team has rewarded hard work over status. Hopefully, in 2019, this team is rewarded by their decision to do so.
