Offense
QBs: Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins, Rex Grossman (3)I know there continues to be a lot of Pat White support but the reality is he can't throw the ball well enough to warrant a spot over Grossman. Yes, Grossman will have his share of picks if for some reason he has to come in the game but White really struggles to throw the ball on the outside and should not get the spot.
RBs/FB: Alfred Morris, Roy Helu Jr., Darrell Young, Keiland Williams, Chris Thompson (5)
Evan Royster might be there instead of Williams but he has missed time and Williams looked good against the Bills. Chris Thompson is an interesting player and should be able to make the team with the injury to Richard Crawford. He has a lot of explosiveness but he is still getting back to full speed and has fumbling and injury issues so his spot isn't a sure thing. The Redskins only carried 3 RBs last year and only had 2 on the roster in 2011 so this would be new for them. However, as they showed with Brandon Banks they are willing to add an extra player at one position in order to have a speedy return man which Thompson could be.
WR: Pierre Garçon, Josh Morgan, Leonard Hankerson, Aldrick Robinson, Santana Moss (5)
This is a little difficult. Carrying only 5 receivers would be a little different for the Skins so its possible one of the younger guys gets a spot here but for now none of them have really stood out. Maybe Skye Dawson gets a spot for his return skills with Crawford going down. I would have thought Stallworth had a shot because of his familiarity with the team but he was cut already.
TE: Fred Davis, Logan Paulsen, Niles Paul, Jordan Reed (4)
Davis is the starter and the most talented out of these guys but Paulsen has shown he is more than just the best blocker. Paul has had a pretty good summer and has really improved while Reed has shown why he has been compared to Aaron Hernandez on the field. Reed and Paul both still have work to do but they have a ton of versatility and Reed has made some really nice catches.
OL: Trent Williams, Kory Lichtensteiger, Will Montgomery, Chris Chester, Tyler Polumbus, Tom Compton, Adam Gettis, Josh LeRibeus, Tony Pashos (9)
Williams, Montgomery, and Lichtensteiger all have the ability to go to the pro bowl. Williams got there last year and Montgomery got robbed by Jeff Saturday who was benched par way through the season. Maurice Hurt his on the PUP list so he is out of the question for now. Compton and Gettis have shown a lot of improvement and are solid for backups. LeRibeus has a lot of potential but if he doesn't put in the work he is going to be dropped. Pashos is the veteran out of the backups and while wildly inconsistent can fill in if the Skins become desperate.
Defense
DL: Stephen Bowen, Barry Cofield, Kedric Golston, Chris Neild, Chris Baker, Phillip Merling (6)
Jarvis Jenkins is suspended for the first 4 games so he doesn't take a roster spot for now. When he returns Merling will most likely have to go though he has been fairly impressive during the preseason. Cofield is the heart and soul of the line and is also the best player. Bowen is a lock for RE and Golston and Baker should split time on the left side until Jenkins returns. Neild is a developing backup to Cofield though Baker may get some time there when Jenkins comes back.
ILB: London Fletcher, Perry Riley, Bryan Kehl, Nick Barnett (4)
Fletcher and Riley are the unquestioned starters here. Barnett and Kehl provide some good depth with Kehl being my favorite of the two. Barnett adds some experience though.
OLB: Brian Orakpo, Ryan Kerrigan, Darryl Tapp, Brandon Jenkins (4)
When Rob Jackson returns from suspension there will be 5 here and someone at another position will probably have to go as he is the 3rd best OLB on the team. It will be interesting to see who goes possibly one of the running backs. Orakpo and Kerrigan are both studs and well above the others. Tapp has been a little bit of surprise and I have become a pretty big fan of him this preseason. Jenkins is the rookie who has shown a lot of ability to rush the passer with a quick get off the line but needs to work on the rest of his game. It will be exciting to see some of the packages that Haslett has for this group.
CB: DeAngelo Hall, Josh Wilson, David Amerson, EJ Biggers, Chase Minnifield (5)
Hall and Wilson are the starters for now although Amerson may push for a starting job later in the year. Wilson was the best cover corner last year but Hall has the big play ability. Biggers has struggled some but has also looked good at times. Minnifield may have passed Biggers at this point and will continue to improve. Minnifield is a very physical corner but questions about his knee will continue until he can prove he can stay healthy.
S: Bacarri Rambo, Brandon Meriweather, Reed Doughty, DeJon Gomes, Jordan Pugh (5)
Rambo and Meriweather are the starters but Meriweather has had health issues so this group is a little worrisome. Doughty is a great special teamer and a solid backup. Gomes has struggled at times and may not be a lock to make this roster. Pugh is probably in the same spot as Gomes. Tanard Jackson is a name that keeps getting floated around and if he is reinstated it will be interesting to see if the Redskins give him a shot. I honestly believe Jackson is worth it because of the complete lack of talent at the safety position. Jose Gumbs might be able to push Gomes for a spot but I wouldn't bet on it at this point.
Special Teams: Kai Forbath (K), Sav Rocca (P), Nick Sundberg (LS) (3)
Forbath is the first kicker in a long time that I have felt comfortable with and while the Skins may entertain the idea of keeping a second kicker for kickoffs I don't think it is necessary. Rocca is a solid punter and looked impressive agains the Bills at times. Sundberg is a good long snapper.
Question Marks
The starters for the most part are locked up with the exception #2 Wr. Josh Morgan and Hankerson will continue to compete for that spot or possibly split time evenly. Chis Thompson, Gomes, and Pugh are the least secure in their spots. Merling will probably have to go once Jarvis Jenkins comes back and another player will have to go when Rob Jackson returns. It'll be interesting to watch what the Redskins decided to do with Tanard Jackson who claims he has kept himself in shape during his suspension. Either way Mike Shanahan has a few more tough decisions to make.
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Update: Starting to have a feeling the Redskins will keep a 6th WR like Lance Lewis or Briscoe over Pashos. 8 on the OL and 6 WRs
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