Washington Redskins: Predicting the 53-man roster
Quarterbacks
The Redskins didn’t put Sudfeld on the practice squad last season and they won’t again in 2017. With so many questions about Cousins and his future, he is the unquestioned starter as long as he’s on the roster. So, this is actually the most drama-free roster on Washington’s team.
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Cousins is in. Veteran Colt McCoy will be back for his fourth season in Washington. McCoy is one of the best backups in the NFL. He has a strong grasp of the offense and has the complete trust of head coach Jay Gruden. If Cousins goes down for a game or two, the Redskins are in good hands.
The debate centers around Sudfeld. A sixth-round pick out of Indiana in 2016, the 6-6, 227-pound Sudfeld is an intriguing developmental prospect. The biggest question is should that type of project take up one of Washington’s 53 roster spots?
Sudfeld stayed on the practice squad last season. There’s no doubt the Redskins would love to put him back there again in 2017. However, if Sudfeld has a strong preseason, would another team take a chance on him as a developmental backup if Washington tries to sneak him onto the practice squad?
Probably not. But the Redskins won’t take the chance and Sudfeld will occupy a roster spot in 2017.
Prediction: Cousins, McCoy, Sudfeld
Running Backs
Rob Kelley was a major find for the Redskins in 2016. Matt Jones, a third-round pick in 2015, failed to hold onto the starting job and Kelley took full advantage and became the team’s starting running back. While he didn’t finish the season strong, neither did the entire offense. Gruden hopes a full offseason in Washington’s strength program benefits the second-year back.
While Jay Gruden loves Kelley, he isn’t completely sold on him as the team’s primary back. That much we know after the Redskins drafted Samaje Perine of Oklahoma in the 2017 NFL Draft. Perine is a good back who is strong in all areas, but will have to prove he can do it at this level. Watching him battle Kelley should be fun.
Thompson is one of the finer third-down backs in the league and is a lock. He’s terrific in his role.
The biggest question is will the Redskins carry a fourth back? Chances are, they will and that should come down to battle between Jones, Keith Marshall and Mack Brown. Expect Jones to be cut and Brown to push for a spot.
Prediction: Kelley, Perine, Thompson, Brown