The fun part of the NFL Draft is watching so many young players realize their dreams of becoming professional football players. The not-so-fun part? At the end of the NFL Preseason, rosters need to be cut down to a total of 53 players.

The Washington Redskins picked up 10 rookies via the draft and a handful of players in free agency, and are widely acknowledged to have been a roster with a lot of holes at the end of the 2014 season. As we head into Phase 2 of the offseason voluntary workouts where players can take part in on-field workouts and individual instruction from coaches, it gives us a good opportunity to have an early look at what the Redskins final 53 man roster will look like.

The Predicted Final 53 Man Redskins Roster

Click here to see this roster full size

Offensive Line

Pass protection was a big issue for the Redskins offensive line in 2014, especially around the right edge. Thankfully, first round draft pick Brandon Scherff should be an immediate and significant upgrade at the Right Tackle position, meaning that along with Left Tackle Trent Williams, the offensive line should have strong and reliable bookends.

The interior positions along the offensive line are unlikely to change from 2014. Spencer Long showed signs last year, and he may push Chris Chester for a starting spot, but he would need to improve dramatically from his 2014 rookie season form. Arie Koundjiou similarly has a chance to take the Left Guard spot from Shawn Lauvao, but to his credit Lauvao finished the 2014 season strongly, and will be looking to solidify his spot in Offensive Line coach Bill Callahan‘s new power system.

Receivers

The Redskins took six receivers into the 2014 season, and this year should be no different in terms of the number. The names, however, will be different. Redskins veteran and long-time fan favorite Santana Moss is unlikely to return despite hoping to make the roster, and Aldrick Robinson was not re-signed.

Rookies Jamison Crowder and Evan Spencer will have opportunities to see snaps this year, and Ryan Grant has shown enough glimpses that he should similarly earn another spot on this years roster.

Quarterbacks

As discussed in an article from earlier this week, General Manager Scot McCloughan has done everything he can to provide Robert Griffin III with the support he should need to succeed. Now it’s up to Griffin.

Given that staying healthy has been an issue for Griffin, the Redskins are likely to once again go into the season with three Quarterbacks on the roster. Colt McCoy won over head coach Jay Gruden sufficiently last year and should be safe in the #2 spot, and Connor Halliday will be given a legitimate chance to win himself a position as well. For those wondering where Kirk Cousins is, keep reading and you’ll find out.

Running Backs & Full Back

Alfred Morris is in the final year of his rookie contract, and given that he was famously a 6th round draft pick, is not earning much money at all in 2015. Morris has rushed for over 1000 yards every year since drafted, and has consistently shown an ability to be a clean one-cut power back. Under coach Callahan’s system, Morris should thrive, and given that he’s playing for his next contract, expect a big year from him.

Blitz pickup and pass protection has been a huge issue for Redskins running backs in recent years, but third round draft pick Matt Jones should resolve this. The Washington Post’s Mark Bullock notes in an article that Matt Jones, who is 6’2 and 230lbs, excels at protecting the QB on passing downs, and has the size and athleticism to adequately handle rushing linebackers. Considering his large frame, don’t count out Matt Jones to get goal-line carries either, as well as short yardage situations like 4th and inches. Jones could potentially be a decent RB3 sleeper pick for you fantasy players.

Darrel Young continues to be the most under-rated fullback in the NFL, and his spot will only increase in value given the switch from the zone-blocking scheme to the power scheme that Bill Callahan will bring to the Redskins.

Tight End

Not much change at this position from 2014. Coaches and fans alike will hope that Jordan Reed can stay healthy and deliver on his obvious potential. All three tight ends on the roster will need to improve their run blocking this year, and whichever player can demonstrate the most effective utilization in the blocking game will likely see a lot of snaps in 2015.

Defensive Line

Two new faces to the defensive line (thanks to some shrewd free agency talent acquisition) will see the Redskins, who allowed over 1700 yards against them on the ground in 2014, significantly improved. Defensive End Stephen Paea joined the team from the Chicago Bears, and whilst his signing didn’t get much fanfare in the news, he is a young and consistent player with a lot of talent.

Nose Tackle Terrance Knighton was perhaps one of the best free agent signings in the entire league, and the one year “prove it” deal he signed will ensure he’ll be playing with a fire in his large pot-roast belly.

Linebackers

Listeners to the Redskins Capital Connection podcast will know how highly we rate Keenan Robinson, and the 25 year old has the potential to truly break out as one of the NFL’s best inside linebackers this season. Starting across from Robinson in the Mike Linebacker spot will likely be Perry Riley Jnr once again. Riley Jnr did not have a strong 2014 season, but it’s difficult to know for certain how much of it was on him, and how much of the blame should be assigned to former defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, who often had Riley Jnr covering the seams in pass coverage, with horrible results.

Rookie Preston Smith and second year player Trent Murphy will likely be interchangeable in 2015 depending on the specific defensive package being used, and it’s probable that they will essentially play an equal number of snaps. However, Smith gets the starting Right Outside Linebacker spot here because he offers a great foil to Left Outside Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, and also seems to fit better next to Defensive End Jason Hatcher as well.

Overall, the Redskins linebacker corps is a strong unit going into this season. New defensive coordinator Joe Barry has enough talent and depth to allow him to get creative in his rotations and packages.

Cornerbacks

Yet another new face starting courtesy of a nice free agent signing, Chris Culliver should be a welcome upgrade over David Amerson, and has the height, length, and speed to play the #1 outside corner spot. Opposite Culliver, Bashaud Breeland will be given the opportunity to build on his strong rookie season, and if he succeeds he will be a legitimate fan-favorite.

Veteran DeAngelo Hall is returning from a twice-ruptured achilles. Given his age, and the difficulty in recovering from these injuries, his days of playing outside corner may be behind him. The good news is that he has fantastic football acumen and a proven ability to watch the Quarterback’s eyes to anticipate where the ball will go, and lining up against slot receivers in nickel packages will play to Hall’s strengths.

Safeties

With the retirement of Ryan Clark and the Redskins opting not to re-sign Brandon Merriweather, the Safety positions will be totally new for 2015. Former Seattle Seahawks backup Jeron Johnson came to the Redskins looking for the opportunity to be a starter, and former San Francisco 49ers safety Dashon Goldson is reunited with the General Manager who drafted him in Scot McCloughan. Goldson had a poor 2014 campaign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but will be given every opportunity to rebound strongly and return to his pro-bowl form.

Kyshoen Jarrett, the rookie drafted out of Virginia Tech, may seem undersized to win a starting spot, and also is probably more suited to the strong safety position. However, he will be immensely useful on special teams given his speed and physicality, and that should be enough to ensure he finds his way on to the Redskins roster.

Special Teams

Whilst the Redskins would surely love to have a kicker who can consistently and reliably boot the ball out the back of the endzone on kickoffs, when it really comes down to it accuracy wins out over power. Kai Forbath may not be able to nail 55 yard field goals, but he is money from shorter distances.

As depressing as it was, arguments can be made that Punter Tress Way was perhaps the Redskins best player last year. Distance, hang time, and accuracy were all on show when Way was called on to punt, which unfortunately was far too often in 2014.

Long-snapper Nick Sundberg is a favorite of the Redskins coaching staff, and for good reason. He’s reliable and he is tough. How tough is he? In 2012 he broke his arm in the first half of the first game of the season, and played out the rest of the game.

Which players didn’t make the cut?

There are some notable names missing from this roster, but perhaps none bigger than Quarterback Kirk Cousins. With Jay Gruden and Scot McCloughan both publicly committing to Robert Griffin III, and Colt McCoy doing enough last year to solidify the #2 QB position, Kirk Cousins time in Washington should be over. Although he is contract this year, it is in the best interests of both the team and Cousins for them to part ways. Cousins could be a great #2 behind Matt Ryan in Atlanta, reuniting with former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.

Running back Chris Thompson makes way for new rookie Matt Jones, and Guard Josh LeRibeus makes way for Arie Kouandjiou.

Safeties Phillip Thomas and Trenton Robinson could consider themselves unlucky to miss out on a roster spot, but neither player has demonstrated an ability to play at the highest levels or to stay healthy.

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