Let’s take a guess at the final 53
August 28, 2019
by Steve Thomas
We may know as early as Friday, certainly no later than Saturday, who makes the 53 man active roster, who will be sent to the practice squad, and who we’ll be saying goodbye to. Therefore, today and tomorrow are the last days to make predictions on the regular season roster. Therefore, without further ado, here’s my guess (the numbers in parentheses in each group is the running tally of players) as to what will happen:
Quarterbacks (2)
Locks: Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins (2)
To IR (designated to return): Colt McCoy
On IR: Josh Woodrum
To IR: Alex Smith
Cut: Jalan McClendon
Wildcard: Colt’s health is obviously a wildcard. Jay Gruden loves the guy, so if he’s close to returning, the Redskins could keep him on the active roster, which would force a cut somewhere else. There’s an outside chance that McClendon makes the active roster if McCoy’s health is still unknown and Gruden isn’t comfortable with having just two active quarterbacks. At a minimum they’d be smart to at least keep McClendon around on the practice squad as the “break glass in case of emergency” option to avoid a disaster similar to what happened in 2018.
Running backs (4)
Locks: Adrian Peterson, Derrius Guice, Chris Thompson (5)
On roster: Samaje Perine (6)
Cut: Byron Marshall, Craig Reynolds
To PUP: Bryce Love
To IR: Shaun Wilson
Wildcard: The Redskins could conceivably keep 5 running backs if Wilson’s health mysteriously improves or they just really, really like either Marshall or Reynolds.
Wide receivers (6)
Locks: Paul Richardson Jr., Trey Quinn, Terry McLaurin (9)
On roster: Josh Doctson, Cam Sims, Robert Davis (12)
Cut: Kelvin Harmon, Jehu Chesson, Darvin Kidsy, Brian Quick, Steven Sims Jr.
Wildcard: I have a hard time believing that Gruden would cut any player without even dressing him for the final preseason game – that’s bad form, so I have to think Doctson is probably in. But then again, the Redskins would hate to lose Harmon, even to the practice squad. That’s why this is a wildcard. Also, Gruden seems to love Steven Sims Jr., who is a playmaker extraordinaire, so if he can prove himself on Thursday, maybe on special teams, the team could keep him. Whether because of Sims or Harmon, the team could do the unusual this year and keep 7, which would require a corresponding cut somewhere else.
Offensive line (9)
Locks: Donald Penn, Ereck Flowers, Chase Roullier, Brandon Scherff, Morgan Moses, Geron Christian, Wes Martin (19)
On roster: Tony Bergstrom, Ross Pierschbacher (21)
On IR: Casey Dunn
Cut: Jerald Foster, Zac Kerin, Hugh Thornton, Blake Hance, Timon Parris, Corey Robinson
Wildcard: Trent Williams. If Trent comes back, the Redskins will obviously make room for him one way or the other.
Tight ends (3)
Locks: Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, Jeremy Sprinkle (24)
Cut: Matt Flanagan, J.P. Holtz, Donald Parham
Wildcard: If Reed’s injury is worse than expected, they could conceivably put him on IR and designate him to return, which would open up a roster spot for Flanagan, Holtz, or Parham.
Defensive line (6)
Locks: Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Matt Ioannidis, Tim Settle (28)
On roster: Austin Maloata, JoJo Wicker (30)
To IR: Caleb Brantley
Cut: Jonathan Bonner, Khairi Clark
Wildcard: The wildcard is Austin Maloata. It’s probably more likely that he gets cut. Call my prediction a hunch.
Linebackers (10)
Locks: Jon Bostic, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Josh Harvey-Clemons, Cole Holcomb, Ryan Kerrigan, Montez Sweat, Ryan Anderson, Cassanova McKinzy, Jordan Brailford (39)
On roster: B.J. Blunt (40)
On IR: Reuben Foster, Myles Humphrey, Garrett Sickels
Cut: Andrew Ankrah, Ryan Bee, Marquis Flowers, Gary Johnson
Wildcard: If Brailford’s injury is worse than we’ve been told, he could end up on IR. Also, keeping Blunt and cutting Bee is just a hunch that could go the other way, or see both cut.
Cornerback (6)
Locks: Josh Norman, Quinton Dunbar, Fabian Moreau, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Greg Stroman, Jimmy Moreland (46)
Cut: Adonis Alexander, Deion Harris, Ashton Lampkin, D.J. White, Jeremy Reaves
To PUP: Danny Johnson
Wildcard: Not much controversy here. Jimmy Moreland has eliminated the uncertainty by forcing his way onto the roster. The team likes Jeremy Reaves, so it’s possible that they figure out a way to keep him around.
Safeties (4)
Locks: Landon Collins, Montae Nicholson, Deshazor Everett (49)
On roster: Troy Apke (50)
Cut: JoJo McIntosh
Wildcard: Apke hasn’t really done much, but he’s a valuable special teamer and a draft pick, and that’s what will keep him on the roster.
Specialists (3)
Locks: Nick Sundberg, Dustin Hopkins, Tress Way (53)
There you go, folks – my official, in print, roster guess. For those of you keeping score, that’s 24 offense, 26 defense, and 3 specialists. I’m not going to try and guess the practice squad, but one or maybe two of both the receivers and the tight ends will probably be there.
Feel free to tell me where I’m wrong or right in the comment section.