Here is what you need to know on this Wednesday, April 18, eight days before the 2018 NFL draft.

The players with most to gain in OTAs

RB Rob Kelley—Sometime in the next 10 days, the Redskins likely will add another running back to the roster. OTAs will be Kelley’s chance to show that he is still in the mix to get some carries this year. He will need to be in excellent health and sharp on the field. Otherwise, the destiny of the team’s leading rusher in 2016 could be on the inactive list most Sundays or perhaps even on the wrong side of the roster bubble when final cuts are made.

G Arie Kouandjio—The 2015 fourth-round pick has a chance to get the upper hand in the competition for the starting left guard job. Right now, his competition is journeyman Tony Bergstrom, re-signed earlier this week. As long as the Redskins don’t draft a guard early next week, Kouandjio could maintain the inside track to the starting job with a strong offseason performance.

WR Robert Davis—He was the only draft pick who didn’t start the season on the 53-man roster last year. Davis was a late-season call-up from the practice squad and he saw just a little game action. The offseason program will give the coaches a chance to evaluate his progress. His ceiling is serving as the fourth receiver; Davis’ floor is starting another season on the practice squad.

QB Kevin Hogan—The Redskins cut Nate Sudfield, a player in whom they had invested a sixth-round pick and a year and a half of grooming, last year. Do you think they will be at all hesitant to move on from Hogan, who came at the cost of a swap of sixth-round picks and has not spent much time here? He has to take the field prepared and show in the meeting room that he is absorbing the offense quickly. If he is able to stick around this year he will have a shot at being the QB-2 next year.

S Fish Smithson—Last year he impressed enough as an undrafted free agent to land a spot on the practice squad before spending the last two games on the active roster. His situation is similar to that of Davis. He could make the 53 and play a key role as a special teams player and reserve safety or he could end up on the practice squad again.

Stay up to date on the Redskins. Rich Tandler covers the team 365 days a year. Like his Facebook page, Facebook.com/TandlerNBCSand follow him on Twitter @TandlerNBCS.

Tandler on Twitter

#Redskin training camp starts in 100 days. With the endless winter we've had I'm actually looking forward to the heat (sort of). pic.twitter.com/EuA6oR4u1n — Rich Tandler (@TandlerNBCS) April 17, 2018

Timeline

Days until:



—OTAs start (5/22) 34

—Training camp starts (7/26) 99

—2018 NFL season starts (9/9) 144

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