The Washington Redskins will cut their roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET Saturday. Here's a projection:

QUARTERBACK (3): Case Keenum, Colt McCoy, Dwayne Haskins

Keenum will start the season, but once McCoy strengthens his right leg -- the one he broke last December -- then he could end up with the job. Haskins, the 2019 15th overall pick, will be allowed to develop on the bench and some at Redskins Park would like to see him sit all season. They don't want to rush him, knowing how much he still must learn. That's also why they won't go with just two quarterbacks.

RUNNING BACK (4): Adrian Peterson, Chris Thompson, Derrius Guice, Samaje Perine

It comes down to Perine or Byron Marshall, who would ostensibly serve as Thompson's backup. But they haven't always kept someone in that role and coach Jay Gruden has raved about Perine's offseason for a while. Craig Reynolds is another to watch, though it would be for the practice squad. Bryce Love isn't healthy enough to play, so he would not be put on the active roster to start the season.

TIGHT END (3): Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, Jeremy Sprinkle

The only caveat is Reed's status after suffering another concussion in the third preseason game. But it would have to be a long-term situation for this group to change. The other tight ends on the roster aren't really threatening for a spot, so for the third straight season it will be the same group.

RECEIVER (6): Josh Doctson, Trey Quinn, Terry McLaurin, Kelvin Harmon, Cam Sims, Paul Richardson

This is the toughest spot to call. Doctson will be the name to watch and he's certainly not a lock. They have tried to trade him in the past and are expected to try again, but would they really cut him? He at least has experience. The other two names to watch -- if they keep seven -- would be Robert Davis and Steven Sims. Davis offers size and speed, but is coming off a knee injury that has at times slowed him in camp. If there were no concerns about his durability, Davis would make it -- and if Doctson doesn't stick, he'd likely get that spot. Sims can be electric, but is considered raw and being on the practice squad would help him develop. But he has a definite chance.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Donald Penn, Wes Martin, Ereck Flowers, Chase Roullier, Brandon Scherff, Morgan Moses, Geron Christian, Tony Bergstrom, Ross Pierschbacher

The Redskins will keep at least this many and possibly even one more. The big name not included: Trent Williams. Whether they keep him or trade him, it's highly unlikely he shows up for the first game, and that means he would be placed on a different list and the Redskins would have a roster exemption. Guard Zac Kerin is another possibility but these are the top nine.

DEFENSIVE LINE (5): Matt Ioannidis, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Tim Settle, Caleb Brantley

This group is the strength of the team. If the Redskins keep six -- as they usually do -- the last one will be Ryan Bee or someone on another roster. They would then put Bee on the practice squad, if he's still around. But the first five are set and they allow the team to keep an extra body elsewhere if needed. The sixth person would be inactive every week anyway, so they can try and develop someone such as Bee on the practice squad.

LINEBACKER (9): Ryan Kerrigan, Montez Sweat, Ryan Anderson, Cassanova McKinzy, Jon Bostic, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Josh Harvey-Clemons, Cole Holcomb, Marquis Flowers

They typically keep nine linebackers, but the ninth -- rookie outside linebacker Jordan Brailford -- likely will start the season on injured reserve. If they need him later, he could always be activated. Would they keep a ninth while they wait for him? Perhaps, but there's not another outside linebacker on the roster who they'd keep. Flowers makes it because of his special teams ability over undrafted BJ Blunt, a good practice squad candidate.

SECONDARY (11): Josh Norman, Quinton Dunbar, Fabian Moreau, Jimmy Moreland, Greg Stroman, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Montae Nicholson, Landon Collins, Troy Apke, Deshazor Everett, Jeremy Reaves

This is one more than usual, but there are players here who can also help on special teams (such as Reaves). Rodgers-Cromartie is an interesting one but his ability to play multiple spots helps. Reaves is the last one on here, but he's shown a willingness to hit and could help on special teams if needed. Second-year Adonis Alexander, whose length and size makes him a desirable corner, could make a strong case if he plays well in the preseason finale. He needs to show he can do more than play press man coverage.

This is one more than usual, but there are players here who can also help on special teams. Rodgers-Cromartie is an interesting one but his ability to play multiple spots helps. Reaves is the last one on here, but he's shown a willingness to hit and could help on special teams if needed. Moreau's ankle injury could force them to keep more in the secondary, depending on how long he'll be out. That could open a spot for cornerback Adonis Alexander.

SPECIALIST (3): K Dustin Hopkins, P Tress Way, LS Nick Sundberg

There was no real competition for any of these jobs in camp. This group has been together since Hopkins was signed in Week 2 of 2015. They have a good rhythm; Hopkins is coming off his best season having made 89.7 percent of his kicks. Way had zero touchbacks last season, after having a combined 24 in his first four years.