Bold = Starter
Italics = Rookie
* = Potential Practice Squad
Offense
QB: Alex Smith, Colt McCoy, Kevin Hogan
Cut: none
Alex Smith takes over the reigns at QB with the trusted Colt McCoy backing him up. The Skins swapped 6th round picks with the Browns to grab the 25 year old VA native, Kevin Hogan. Hogan is not practice squad eligible, so it will be interesting to see if Gruden decides to tie up a roster spot carrying 3 QBs.
RB: Derrius Guice, Chris Thompson, Samaje Perine, Rob Kelley (Potential FB)
Cut: Martez Carter*, Byron Marshall, Kapri Bibbs, Elijah Wellman, Keith Marshall
2nd round pick Derrius Guice looks to step into the starting role of 1st/2nd back while Chris Thompson remains in his role as one of the best 3rd down backs in the league. Last year’s 4th round pick, Samaje Perine, will remain in a supporting role; as will Fat Rob, but if Guice emerges as the dominant back, I could see Kelley transitioning into a fullback type role. UDFA Martez Carter will be an interesting one to watch during camp and could be a great developmental project for the practice squad. On the bubble for me is Byron Marshall. Marshall could see his way onto the roster over Kelley given his versatility and ability to catch the ball.
WR: Paul Richardson, Jamison Crowder, Josh Doctson, Robert Davis, Maurice Harris, Trey Quinn
Cut: Simmie Cobb*, Cam Sims*, Brian Quick, Mikah Holder, Shay Fiels, De’Mornay Pierson-El, Davin Kidsy
The Skins added another weapon to stretch the field signing former Seahawk Paul Richardson. He joins Doctson and Crowder in the starting WR corps. Last years 6th round pick, Robert Davis, gets his shot in the rotation after spending much of last season on the practice squad. I think this year’s Mr. Irrelevant, Trey Quinn, finds a way onto the the final 53. But just like his status in the draft, I think he’ll be the last pick of the roster, and could see himself on the outside in favor of a 7th DL or 5th OLB/S.
TE: Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, Jeremy Sprinkle
Cut: Matt Flanagan*, Manasseh Garner, Garrett Hudson
Not much different here besides the departure of Niles Paul. Matt Flanagan could be a great practice squad stash for if/when Reed gets hurt, he could be brought to to be the 3rd TE and be a great contributor on special teams.
T: Trent Williams, Morgan Moses, Geron Christian
G: Brandon Sherff, Ty Nsekhe, Shawn Lauvao, Tyler Catalina
C: Chase Roullier, Tony Bergstrom
Cut: Timon Parris*, Kyle Kalis, Isaiah Williams, Demetrius Rhaney, Casey Dunn*, Cameron Jefferson, Alex Balducci, TJ Clemmings, John Kling
This is the group I will be most excited to check out during the offseason and into training camp. I see the best option being transitioning Nsekhe to the open LG spot. I know some people think he’s too long to move down inside, but he has shown on multiple occasions he is capable. The rest of the starting o-line is set, including Chase Roullier at center who I believe, since the day the Skins drafted him, is going to develop into a perennial Pro Bowl player. Backing up the tackles will be the Skins’ 3rd round pick, Geron Christian. However, depending on how Christian looks in camp, I could also see the Skins continuing to use Nsekhe as a swing tackle, moving him out as need and filling in his guard spot instead. Because of the injury to Koundjio, I think Lauvao ends up with a roster spot, but I could see that spot, and that of the backup center, being snatched up by someone that impresses during camp.
Defense
DL: Jonathan Allen, Da’Ron Payne, Matt Ioannidis, Stacy McGee, Tim Settle, Anthony Lanier
Cut: Ziggy Hood, Phil Taylor, Alex McCalister, Ondre Pipkins, Tavaris Barnes
1st round pick Da’Ron Payne joins last years’ 1st round pick Jonathan Allen vastly improving the Skins defensive line. I think the Greek Freak will earn that 3rd starting role over McGee, but I see a lot of rotation being utilized on this front. 5th round pick Tim Settle will earn a spot on the roster over veteran Ziggy Hood.
OLB: Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith, Ryan Anderson, Pernell McPhee
Cut: Jerod Fernandez, Vontae Diggs*, Pete Robertson
This crew seems to be set in stone. I could see the Skins adding a 5th here if a special teams contributor stands out.
ILB: Zach Brown, Mason Foster, Zach Vigil, Josh Harvey-Clemons, Shaun Dion Hamilton
Cut: Martrell Spaight
Bringing back Zach Brown was one of the best moves the Skins made this offseason. Him and Foster are set in as the starting middle linebackers. Vigil showed enough last year that I think he has a spot locked up as well. The rest is up for grabs, but I think Spaight has shown everything he can do and will ultimately lose out to Harvey-Clemons and Hamilton.
CB: Josh Norman, Fabian Monroe, Orlando Scandrick, Quinton Dunbar, Josh Holsey, Greg Stroman
Cut: Ranthony Texada*, Danny Johnson
Monroe earns the starting spot opposite Norman. The Skins added additional support with Scandrick. They will really need to see growth from Dunbar and Holsey after the departure of Fuller and Breeland. This is the biggest area of the defense to keep on eye come training camp.
S: D.J. Swearinger, Montea Nicholson, Deshazor Everett, Troy Apke
Cut: Quin Blanding*, Fish Smithson, Kenny Ladler
Nicholson earns himself a starting role opposite Swearinger. Everett makes the cut over Smithson and Blanding for his special teams contributions. I could easily see the Skins deciding to take 5 safeties though.
K: Dustin Hopkins
P: Tress Way
LS: Nick Sunber
Chalk