Roster changes

 

Key additions

QB Kyle Allen, RB Peyton Barber, TE Logan Thomas, TE Richard Rodgers, G Wes Schweitzer, LB Thomas Davis, CB Kendall Fuller, CB Ronald Darby, CB Aaron Colvin, S Sean Davis

 

Key losses

QB Case Keenum, QB Colt McCoy, RB Chris Thompson, RB Wendell Smallwood, WR Paul Richardson, TE Jordan Reed, TE Vernon Davis, OT Trent Williams, OT Donald Penn, G Ereck Flowers, C Tony Bergstrom, CB Josh Norman

 

2020 draft class

DE Chase Young (1.02), RB Antonio Gibson (3.66), OT Saahdiq Charles (4.108), WR Antonio Gandy-Golden (4.142), C Keith Ismael (5.156), LB Khaleke Hudson (5.162), S Kamren Curl (7.216), DE James Smith-Williams (7.229)

 

Projected Starters

 

Offense

QB: Dwayne Haskins
RB: Adrian Peterson
WR: Terry McLaurin
WR: Kelvin Harmon
WR: Steven Sims Jr.
TE: Jeremy Sprinkle
LT: Geron Christian Sr.
LG: Wes Schweitzer
C: Chase Roullier
RG: Brandon Scherff
RT: Morgan Moses

 

Defense

DE: Chase Young
DT: Jonathan Allen
DT: Daron Payne
DE: Ryan Kerrigan
LB: Thomas Davis
LB: Jon Bostic
CB: Kendall Fuller
CB: Ronald Darby
CB: Fabian Moreau
S: Troy Apke
S: Landon Collins

 

Team Outlook

 

Biggest strength: Defensive line

The selection of No. 2 overall pick Chase Young will add a potential superstar to what was already a really strong defensive line, and the group also has remarkable depth with Montez Sweat and Matt Ioannidis—both of whom could easily start and be impact players. Washington will need to win at the line of scrimmage to compete, and I’d say the defense is in excellent shape for 2020 and beyond with everyone but Ryan Kerrigan entering their prime at basically the same time.

 

Biggest weakness: Left tackle

Before the Trent Williams saga that led to him sitting out the entire 2019 season, left tackle had been a position that the Redskins never had to worry about. Now, with Williams in San Francisco, the team will be relying on 2018 third-round pick Geron Christian Sr. or rookie Saahdiq Charles to man the blindside. If Washington expects to win immediately in Ron Rivera’s first season, I think we could see the team sign someone like Jason Peters to boost the position and allow the young guys to develop.

 

Position battle to watch: Running back

The backfield already looked fairly crowded with just Adrian Peterson, Derrius Guice, and Peyton Barber on the depth chart, so the team drafting Memphis playmaker Antonio Gibson as a running back really complicates things. Everyone should see the field a decent amount, but Gibson being compared to Christian McCaffrey is eye-opening, and it sounds like the Redskins will want to get him the ball early in his career. We also shouldn’t forget about former Stanford star Bryce Love if he’s healthy in Year 2.

 

One more thought

While Dwayne Haskins will likely be asked to manage the game for a run-first, defensive team that lacks proven weapons behind Terry McLaurin, I think that philosophy should benefit him in his development—especially because he’s learning the second offensive system in as many seasons. The strong-armed passer showed flashes in seven starts as a rookie, but he will need to prove himself to Ron Rivera and the new coaching staff, as Washington could be picking high again ahead of what appears to be a very impressive 2021 quarterback class. Ideally, Haskins will show enough to grow with the young core of McLaurin, Kelvin Harmon, Antonio Gandy-Golden, and others.

 

Early over/under: 5 wins (via FOX Bet)

Under. The Redskins expect to turn things around quickly, but the roster has some notable holes at multiple position groups, and Haskins remains a question mark at quarterback in a loaded NFC field. Chase Young and the defensive line will really need to carry Washington if they are going to make noise in 2020.