Running back Robert Kelley

By season’s end, the rookie will have more rushing yards than Matt Jones, whose one-year résumé consists of sporadic injuries and a few good games. Kelley (6 feet, 228 pounds) was overlooked in the draft after academic problems at Tulane cost him playing time, but “Fat Rob” is the team’s best runner and blocker. He also appears to be the most durable back on the roster and steadily improved his yards-after-contact during the preseason. Washington doesn’t need a superstar. A back who can get around 80 yards per game will do.

Inside linebacker Will Compton

Compton is the defensive signal caller, which makes him the heart of the unit. If he doesn’t have the defense properly aligned, it costs yards and points. Compton is a great story of a practice squad player elevated to role player to part-time starter to regular over three seasons. He will lead the team in tackles, but you’ll rarely notice him because he is such a team player. He needs to increase his 96 tackles from last season to closer to 140, but if Compton does his job with a talented secondary behind him, Washington will be fine.

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Safety DeAngelo Hall

There is some skepticism over Hall playing free safety after a career at cornerback. But, Hall, 32, is right when he says this position best suits him. At 5-feet-10 and 202 pounds, he is a better tackler than most corners, so playing safety isn’t too physical for him. He’s also a smart player. After 12 seasons, Hall doesn’t have quite the matchup speed for a corner, but he’s seen enough to anticipate plays at free safety. He’s always been a ballhawk with 43 career picks and 15 fumbles recovered. He’ll combine for six more this year.

Left guard Shawn Lauvao

Washington desperately needs Lauvao to be the run blocker he was in the first two games last season before he hurt his left ankle and missed the rest of the year. He showed some of that ability while working his way back this preseason. He has the quickness and agility guards need, especially when Washington runs to the right side, giving Lauvao a chance to make downfield blocks to spring long gains. He is also needed at times to help Kory Lichtensteiger when the center is bull rushed and pushed back.

Tight end Vernon Davis

The native Washingtonian wasn’t expected to return home and make the roster at 32. The Redskins already had three talented tight ends. But he unexpectedly proved to be such a good blocker that Logan Paulsen was cut. Davis is still talented enough as a receiver to bump Niles Paul to third string. In a set with two tight ends, Davis remains enough of a threat to prevent defenses from double-covering Jordan Reed. Blocking and freeing up Reed will be Davis’ key contributions, but he also could catch 35 passes.

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