The doldrums of the NFL offseason are upon us, and with that comes...well, less to write about until training camp begins.
With a brand new crop of players added this offseason via trades, free agency, the NFL Draft and undrafted free agents, I wanted to take my first stab at predicting the 53-man roster and practice squad. Now, I know this will remain very fluid, as players will be added and cut before we even get to training camp, however, I will play the hand I’m dealt and give it my best shot with the current roster.
Below is my breakdown of offense, defense and special team, followed by practice squad candidates.
Offense 24
NFL: NFC Championship-Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
QB: 2
-Starter: Jayden Daniels
-Backup: Marcus Mariota
NCAA Football: New Mexico at Arizona Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
RB: 3
-Starters: Brian Robinson, Austin Ekeler
-Backup: Jacory Croskey-Merritt
NFL: Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
WR: 6
-Starters: Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, Noah Brown
-Backups: Jaylin Lane, Luke McCaffrey, Michael Gallup
Syndication: Detroit Free Press Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
TE: 4
-Starter: Zach Ertz
-Backups: John Bates, Ben Sinnott, Colson Yankoff
NCAA Football: Oregon at Wisconsin Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
OL: 9
-Starters: Laremy Tunsil, Brandon Coleman, Tyler Biadasz, Andrew Wylie, Josh Conerly
-Backups: Trent Scott, Nick Allegretti, Nate Herbig, Tim McKay
*Sam Cosmi to PUP
Defense 26
NFL: Washington Commanders at New York Jets Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
EDGE: 5
-Starters: Dorance Armstrong, Deatrich Wise
-Backups: Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Clelin Ferrell, Jacob Martin
NFL: Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders Peter Casey-Imagn Images
DT: 5
-Starters: Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw
-Backups: Jer’Zhan Newton, Eddie Goldman, Sheldon Day
NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
LB: 5
-Starters: Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu
-Backups: Jordan Magee, Dominique Hampton, Kain Medrano
Syndication: Detroit Free Press Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
CB: 6
-Starters: Marshon Lattimore, Trey Amos, Mike Sainristil
-Backups: Jonathan Jones, Noah Igbinoghene, Fentrell Cyprus
NFL: Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders Peter Casey-Imagn Images
S: 5
-Starters: Quan Martin, Will Harris
-Backups: Tyler Owens, Percy Butler, Jeremy Reaves
Special Teams 3
NFL: Atlanta Falcons at Washington Commanders Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Punter: 1
-Tress Way
Syndication: The Indianapolis Star Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Kicker: 1
-Matt Gay
NFL: Washington Commanders at Arizona Cardinals Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Long Snapper: 1
-Tyler Ott
Returners:
NFL: Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Kick Returners:
-Luke McCaffrey, Jacory Croskey-Merritt
NCAA Football: Virginia Tech at Miami Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Punt Returner:
-Jaylin Lane
Practice Squad Candidates:
-Sam Hartman (QB)
-Chris Rodriguez (RB)
-Michael Wiley (RB)
-Lawrence Cager (TE)
-Ja’Corey Brooks (WR)
-Jacoby Jones (WR)
-Tyre Phillips (OL)
-Chris Paul (OL)
-Foster Sarell (OL)
-Jalyn Holmes (DL)
-Norell Pollard (DL)
-Andre Jones (DL)
-*T.J. Maguranyanga (DL)
-Kam Arnold (LB)
-Allan George (DB)
-Carlin Viggers (DB)
-Robert McDaniel (DB)
Notes:
-I see no reason to keep three quarterbacks on the active roster.
-I went with just three running backs because Samuel could also see some carries back there.
-The fight for WR6 should be an interesting one to watch during camp.
-We kept four tight ends last year, and the staff seems to like Yankoff as a special teams contributor.
-I have us keeping nine offensive linemen, however, if another spot opens up, I could see us adding a tenth.
-With the focus on stopping the run, I think 10 defensive lineman is the number we go with.
-I see the three young linebackers being kept over the 36yr old Bellore.
-I was torn on six corners and four safeties, but it seems the staff does not want to lose the leadership and special teams prowess of Reeves - even if he won’t see much action on defense, so I went with a fifth safety.
-Lane should be the obvious punt returner.
-Because he’s a bit older, I kept Ekeler off kick return and let McCaffrey and JCM handle those duties.