It’s the final countdown
That’s it, that’s all she wrote. With the final preseason game coming to a close, all 90 players have made their case as to why they should, or shouldn’t, be on the 53-man roster heading into Week 1. With roster cut down day at 4:00 pm EST on Saturday, August 31st, a couple of players will force Jay Gruden and company make tough decisions. One thing to note going into cut down day, per Field Yates: if a player is put on IR before 4:00 pm on Saturday, they are on IR for the entire and cannot be brought back. However, if a player is put on IR after that, they can be one of the two players designated to return. So, with that being said, the initial 53-man roster at 4:00 pm on Saturday will not be the initial 53-man roster that the Redskins will walk into Philadelphia with.
With that, here is my final 53-man mock roster of 2019. And yes, I realize I am going to probably end up dying on THAT hill.
Offense (25)
QB: Keenum*, Haskins
Jay Gruden has already said last Friday that Case is the starter with Haskins looking at the possibility of starting as early as Week 6 in Miami. With other roster needs likely due to injuries that have popped up, Colt will wind up on IR for the first part of the season to make more room (after 4:00 pm so he can be brought back should he be needed).
RB: Peterson*, Guice, Thompson, Perine
Perine’s roster spot may have been locked up last night based on two things. Jay’s affinity for him and Byron Marshall’s poor play on special teams. That is not to say the team decides to only go with three running backs to start the season and stash Shaun Wilson on the practice squad.
WR: Richardson*, McLaurin*, Quinn*, Harmon, Doctson, R. Davis, S. Sims Jr.
Speaking of special teams. Steven Sims, Jr. showed last night why he deserves to be on the 53-man roster. He had two kick returns for 80-yards and had an aggressive fair catch on a short punt that could have proved costly in a regular season game the way the ball can bounce. Sims, Jr. also had a spectacular catch on the lone touchdown of the night. Sims can also play in the slot and act as a back-up to Trey Quinn should he miss any time. Seven receivers does seem like a lot, but they may keep Doctson and utilize him in order to get a late draft pick as the season unfolds.
TE: Reed*, Davis, Sprinkle
Jay has said that Reed is progressing nicely in concussion protocol there is no need for a fourth tight end. J.P. Holtz outplayed Matt Flanagan in all aspects this preseason so we could see him getting stashed on the practice squad as an emergency call-up should Reed go down again.
T: Penn*, Moses*, Christian Sr.
G: Scherff*, E. Flowers*, Martin
C: Roullier*, Bergstrom Pierschbacher
Jay has named Erick Flowers the starting left guard to start the 2019 season. The offensive line is looking more and more likely that there will be nine guys to start the season on the 53-man roster. Tony Bergstrom had an underwhelming camp and preseason, but the Redskins like that he can play multiple positions which allows for flexibility. It is unlikely they keep 10 as it will just come down to numbers.
Defense (25)
DE: Allen*, Ioannidis*
DT: Payne*, Settle, Brantley
The defensive line has been pretty much set since day one. There is always the chance that Jojo Wicker or Ryan Bee could make it as a sixth defensive lineman should Settle and Brantley’s injuries cause the team concern going into the season. IF there is a sixth lineman, it would likely be Wicker though Bee has come on strong at the end of camp.
OLB: Kerrigan*, Sweat*, Anderson, McKinzy
ILB: Dion-Hamilton*, Bostic*, Harvey-Clemons, Holcomb, M. Flowers
While Cassanoca McKinzy is a lock to make the roster, he did leave the Ravens game with a concussion. There was not an expectation that the Redskins would head into Week 1 with more than eight linebackers. However, with McKinzy’s injury concern, it is possible that the Redskins do some roster magic and keep Marquis Flowers as an insurance policy.
CB: Norman*, Dunbar*, Rodgers-Cromartie, Moreau, Stroman, Moreland
I don’t know what else can be said about the cornerback group that already hasn’t been said. These are your six backs heading into Week 1 capped off by Jimmy “The People’s Corner” Moreland.
FS: Nicholson*, Apke, Reaves
SS: Collins*, Everett
The signing on Landon Collins has already proven to pay dividends when he is on the field. Even in preseason. But, it is Jeremy Reaves that has really caught everyone’s eyes. Reaves has been one of the best tacklers out of the Redskins back-ups. In addition, Reaves has value on special teams and has shown his tenacity when put in positions to succeed. Reaves could be a likely odd-man out if the Redskins choose to waste a roster spot on Colt. With Troy Apke’s poor performance during camp and in games, it is hard to deny that Reaves may have played his way onto the 53-man roster with Apke on a extremely short leash.
Special Teams (3)
LS: Sundberg*
P: Way*
K: Hopkins*
Nothing really needs to be said here other than Tress can do a pretty good Frankie Valli impression.
IR/PUP List
Reuben Foster (IR), Bryce Love (PUP), Alex Smith (IR), Colt McCoy (IR), Trent Williams (Non-Active)
Italics = Rookie
* = Starter
