Roster Changes

 

Key additions

QB Case Keenum, WR Jehu Chesson, G Ereck Flowers, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, S Landon Collins

 

Key losses

QB Mark Sanchez, QB Josh Johnson, RB Rob Kelley, WR Jamison Crowder, WR Maurice Harris, WR Michael Floyd, T Ty Nsekhe, G Shawn Lauvao, DL Stacy McGee, OLB Preston Smith, OLB Pernell McPhee, ILB Zach Brown, ILB Zach Vigil, S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

 

2019 draft class

QB Dwayne Haskins (1.15), OLB Montez Sweat (1.26), WR Terry McLaurin (3.76), RB Bryce Love (4.112), G Wes Martin (4.131), C Ross Pierschbacher (5.153), ILB Cole Holcomb (5.173), WR Kelvin Harmon (6.206), CB Jimmy Moreland (7.227), OLB Jordan Brailford (7.533)

 

Projected Starters

 

Offense

QB: Case Keenum
RB: Adrian Peterson
WR: Paul Richardson
WR: Josh Doctson
WR: Trey Quinn
TE: Jordan Reed
LT: Trent Williams
LG: Ereck Flowers
C: Chase Roullier
RG: Brandon Scherff
RT: Morgan Moses

 

Defense

DE: Jonathan Allen
DT: Daron Payne
DE: Matt Ioannidis
OLB: Ryan Kerrigan
ILB: Reuben Foster
ILB: Mason Foster
OLB: Montez Sweat
CB: Josh Norman
CB: Fabian Moreau
S: Troy Apke
S: Landon Collins

 

Team Outlook

 

Notable depth

QB Dwayne Haskins, QB Colt McCoy, RB Derrius Guice, RB Chris Thompson, RB Bryce Love, WR Terry McLaurin, WR Kelvin Harmon, WR Jehu Chesson, WR Brian Quick, TE Vernon Davis, TE Jeremy Sprinkle, OT Geron Christian, G Tyler Catalina, G Wes Martin, C Ross Pierschbacher, DT Tim Settle, OLB Ryan Anderson, OLB Jordan Brailford, ILB Shaun Dion Hamilton, ILB Cole Holcomb, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB Greg Stroman, CB Jimmy Moreland, S Deshazor Everett, S Montae Nicholson

 

Biggest strength: Defensive front

Individually, the defensive line or the linebackers could have been chosen, but altogether, Washington has perhaps the most underrated front seven in the league. Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, and Matt Ioannidis are about as good as it gets in the trenches, and Reuben Foster has the potential to be a true impact player if he takes advantage of his second chance. “Alabama South” should also get plenty off juice off the edge from Mississippi State edge defender and first-round pick Montez Sweat.

 

Biggest weakness: Wide receiver

I think the Redskins should feel a lot better about the receivers compared to this point last season, but they are still a largely unproven group. Josh Doctson is probably facing his final chance to stick around in Washington, so we’ll see if he can reach his potential as a starter on the outside. If not, third-rounder Terry McLaurin would be another speedster to pair with Paul Richardson, or sixth-rounder Kelvin Harmon—who slipped due to the devaluation of big-bodied receivers—might even get a shot. For fantasy owners, Trey Quinn is the name to keep an eye on in the slot.

 

Position battle to watch: Quarterback

The Redskins are probably the only team in the league that could have a three-way quarterback competition for the starting job, as veterans Case Keenum and Colt McCoy will look to hold off first-rounder Dwayne Haskins. It’s really a complete toss up that should be determined in training camp, but I think Keenum is the favorite to start at least early in the season, and he could hold the job by getting a couple wins in September (@ PHI, v DAL, v CHI, @ NYG).

 

One more thought

Josh Norman needs play a lot better if the defense is going to go from good to elite, as he was signed to be a shutdown No. 1 cornerback, but has yet to even make the Pro Bowl for the Redskins. I doubt it happens, but the team could save $11.5 million on the cap by either trading or releasing the 31-year-old this summer, and it would only count $3 million against the cap in each of the next two years.

 

Early over/under: 6.5 wins (via CBS Sports)

Over. Washington was 6-3 last year before Alex Smith (leg) got hurt, and on paper, the roster looks to have gotten better with the defensive additions of Landon Collins, Reuben Foster, and Montez Sweat. Plus, Derrius Guice and Bryce Love will hopefully be healthy enough to contribute, which gives the team a four-headed monster in a backfield led by the reborn Adrian Peterson.