In the end, did the Redskins really have any surprise cuts?

The Washington Redskins narrowed their roster from 90 players down to the NFL required 53.

The team announced the following players had been released yesterday:

RB Kapri Bibbs
DE Phil Taylor, Sr.
WR Brian Quick
C Demetrius Rhaney

The Redskins also waived the following players:

DB Quin Blanding
T Kendall Calhoun
T T.J. Clemmings
WR Simmie Cobbs, Jr.
LB Vontae Diggs
LB Jerod Fernandez
WR Shay Fields
TE Matt Flanagan
QB Kevin Hogan
TE J.P. Holtz
TE Garrett Hudson
DB Prince Charles Iworah
QB Connor Jessop
G Kyle Kalis
WR Darvin Kidsey
T John Kling
DB Kenny Ladler
LB Cassanova McKinzy
LB Dadi Nicolas
T Timon Parris
NT Ondre Pipkins
LB Pete Robertson
DE Dante Sawyer
RB De’Veon Smith
DB Fish Smithson
LB Martrell Spaight
DB Ranthony Texada
DT JoJo Wicker
WR Daniel Williams III
G Isaiah Williams

Washington placed offensive lineman Tyler Catalina on their Reserve/Injured list and placed defensive lineman Stacy McGee on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list. Cornerback Joshua Holsey was placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list.

In creating their final 53-man roster, the Redskins answered a lot of questions about players on the bubble.

Position battles at wide receiver between Brian Quick and Cam Sims came down to who was able to make more plays when their number was called. Sims has been turning heads since the start of rookie minicamp.

Another position battle was at running back. The Redskins decided to go with Adrian Peterson, Chris Thompson, Rob Kelley and Samaje Perine. Some thought Kapri Bibbs would get the nod over Perine or Kelley due to his versatile game and ability to simulate Thompson’s pass-catching prowess out of the backfield.

At linebacker, the Redskins released middle linebacker Martrell Spaight. Spaight had played well throughout camp but was ultimately caught up in a numbers game at the position. Five other players (Zach Brown, Mason Foster, Zach Vigil, Josh Harvey-Clemons and Shaun Dion Hamilton) who made the final roster play middle linebacker.

Defensive tackle Phil Taylor was another player that had built up equity since his arrival to the Redskins two seasons ago. Taylor was immensely liked by coaches and within the locker room with his teammates. He had battled back from a season-ending knee injury sustained in last years preseason. The former Baylor star was caught up in a numbers game, however, as the Redskins have two younger players (Daron Payne and Tim Settle) on the roster that can play in the middle of the defensive line. Not to mention that the other defensive lineman on the roster are versatile enough to move to the middle for a few reps if need be.

In the end, did the Redskins really have any surprise cuts or additions to the roster?

Teams that want to be good on a consistent basis will have to make tough cuts during the preseason. The Redskins finally have an assortment of depth and versatility at most of their positions. There is a lot of unproven youth as well, so the development of those players will be paramount if the final 53-man roster holds up for the Burgundy and Gold.