Bold = Starter
Italics = Rookie
* = Potential Practice Squad
Offense
QB: Alex Smith, Colt McCoy
Cut: Kevin Hogan*
Smith and McCoy are obvious locks at the QB position. I don’t think Hogan makes the final cut, but could be a good practice squad stash.
RB: Adrian Peterson, Chris Thompson, Rob Kelley, Kapri Bibbs
Cut: Byron Marshall, Samaje Perine
Peterson steps in as the top back with Thompson continuing his role as top 3rd down/passing option out of the backfield. I think Perine’s fumbling issues and lack of progression has him on the outside looking in with Rob Kelley taking the primary backup spot behind Peterson. Unfortunately because of the number of games he played last season, Perine is not eligible for the practice squad. And with Kelley backing up Peterson, I think it only makes sense to keep Bibbs to backup Thompson. Bibbs has done a lot of things right this preseason, including showing what a threat he is in the passing game, but more importantly, how well he can block in pass protection.
WR: Paul Richardson, Jamison Crowder, Josh Doctson, Maurice Harris, Trey Quinn, Cam Sims
Cut: Simmie Cobb*, Brian Quick
This position battle really came down to one thing, Brian Quick vs Cam Sims. Sims showed huge potential throughout the preseason, and while Quick technically had the better final preseason game, I believe Sims has shown enough through the entirety of the preseason to earn the roster spot.
TE: Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, Jeremy Sprinkle, JP Holtz
Cut: Matt Flanagan*
The top 3 TEs always seemed to be a lock. With the addition of AP, I believe the Skins would benefit from having a fullback type on the roster, enter JP Holtz. Holtz looked solid as a fullback in the 3rd preseason game, but also showed in the 4th game his value at tight end. That being said, I believe he is the “last-man in.” If there are any other players on the bubble to be added, Holtz would be the first to go and end up on the practice squad.
T: Trent Williams, Morgan Moses, Ty Nsekhe, Geron Christian
G: Brandon Sherff, Shawn Lauvao, Tony Bergstrom
C: Chase Roullier
Cut: Timon Parris*, Kyle Kalis, Casey Dunn*, TJ Clemmings
The starting 5 plus Nsekhe are a lock. 3rd round pick Geron Christian showed he needs a lot of work, but with Nsekhe, the Skins can keep him on the roster, let him develop, and not have to worry about throwing him in the game right away. Bergstrom makes the roster for being the best of the rest, having the versatility to play guard and center, and having familiarity with the offense. Other than him, I saw no one else impress enough to earn a roster spot. Casey Dunn is the closest, but I still think he gets cut and ends up on the practice squad. I believe the Skins will go with 8 offensive lineman initially, but as cuts are made, they will eventually sign a veteran guard to the roster and carry 9.
Defense
DL: Jonathan Allen, Da’Ron Payne, Matt Ioannidis, Ziggy Hood, Tim Settle, Anthony Lanier
Cut: Phil Taylor
The starting group is set, and will be an exciting group to watch. Settle showed in the preseason why he was an absolute steal in the 5th round and has the backup NT spot locked down. I think this group came down to Ziggy Hood vs Phil Taylor. Hood’s veteran presence and versatility to play anywhere on the line makes him the obvious keep.
OLB: Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith, Ryan Anderson, Pernell McPhee, Pete Robertson
Cut: Vontae Diggs*,
The top 4 are set in stone. Robertson is definitely in the last 2 in, so if the Skins decide to keep a 9th 0-lineman, he could see himself on the opposite side of the cuts.
ILB: Zach Brown, Mason Foster, Josh Harvey-Clemons, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Martrell Spaight
Cut: Zach Vigil
Hamilton showed in the preseason he can be the primary backup on the inside. Harvey-Clemons will mostly be used as a coverage back. This leaves this position battle down to Spaight vs Vigil. I think Vigil is the better linebacker, but the 5th linebacker spot needs to be more about special teams than playing linebacker and for that, I think Spaight wins it.
CB: Josh Norman, Quinton Dunbar, Fabian Monroe, Greg Stroman, Danny Johnson, Adonis Alexander
Cut: Ranthony Texada*
This is an interesting group with 50% of them being rookies. There will certainly be a lot of potential with this group, but a lot could go wrong as well. It will be interesting to see what happens when Josh Holsey comes off the PUP list, as I see him making his way back on the roster.
S: D.J. Swearinger, Montea Nicholson, Deshazor Everett, Troy Apke
Cut: Quin Blanding*, Fish Smithson, Kenny Ladler
The starters are set, but beyond that, there are still a lot of question marks. Everett earns a spot as the primary backup for his experience and special teams contributions. If there was a better option, I would cut Troy Apke. He has been beyond disappointing this preseason in my opinion. He has shown great athleticism, but has also shown poor tackling, bad angles, and seems to constantly be out of position. This is a spot I could see the Skins bringing someone in after cuts are done and they are able to assess the safeties that are available.
K: Dustin Hopkins
P: Tress Way
LS: Nick Sunber
Chalk