Early 53 Man Roster Projection Shows Stability and Depth for 2020

With the 2020 NFL Draft behind us, I figured it is not too early to see what the 53-man roster could look like.  I constructed the roster based on a pattern that emerged from Ron Rivera’s time in Carolina.

Looking at the bigger construction picture, Rivera keeps 4 running backs and 6 wide receivers. However, rookie Antonio Gibson is listed as a running back on the team page, but can be used there or at wide receiver. This could lead to the Redskins carrying a fifth running back on the roster pulling away from the traditional six wide receivers Ron typically carries.

Additionally, on defense, Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio have talked about shifting some of the players that were outside linebackers into more traditional defensive end roles in the 4-3 base 40 front. Rivera typically carries 10 defensive linemen, but with who is on the roster he will likely carry one more linebacker instead of that extra lineman. The rotation and who he ultimately has as a healthy scratch is what will be key.

Without further ado, here is my way too early 53-man roster.

Offense
QB – Dwayne Haskins, Kyle Allen
RB – Adrian Peterson, Derrius Guice, J.D. McKissic, Antonio Gibson
WR – Terry McLaurin, Antonio Gandy-Golden
WR – Kelvin Harmon, Cody Latimer, Cam Sims
SLWR – Steven Sims Jr.
TE – Jeremy Sprinkle, Logan Thomas, Hale Hentges
LT – Cornelius Lucas, Saahdiq Charles
LG – Wes Martin, Wes Schweitzer
C – Chase Roullier, Ross Pierschbacher
RG – Brandon Scherff, Jeremy Vujnovich
RT – Morgan Moses, Geron Christan Sr.

Defense
DE – Chase Young, Jonathan Allen
IDL – Da’Ron Payne, Tim Settle
IDL – Matt Ioannidis, Caleb Brantley
DE – Ryan Kerrigan, Montez Sweat, Ryan Bee
OLB – Ryan Anderson, Cole Holcomb
ILB – Jon Bostic, Sean Dion Hamilton
OLB – Thomas Davis Sr., Kevin Pierre-Louis, Khaleke Hudson
CB – Fabian Moreau, Danny Johnson
CB – Ronald Darby
SLCB – Kendall Fuller, Jimmy Moreland
FS – Sean Davis, Troy Apke
SS – Landon Collins, Deshazor Everett

Special Teams
LS – Nick Sundberg
K – Dustin Hopkins
P – Tress Way

PUP/IR – Alex Smith, Reuben Foster, Bryce Love, Jordan Brailford

Italics = Rookie