Redskins release first official depth chart

Nothing says ‘the regular season is here’ in the NFL more than teams’ official depth charts being released. Like other ballclubs, the Washington Redskins have now released theirs ahead of their Week 1 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. The rosters that the team regularly makes available to the local media were strangely undersized this week after the roster cuts to the final 53 (compared to what they have been with 90 men listed from training camp) and so now is the depth chart.

First observations of the document reveal a team with a true mix of youth and experience.

Offensively, wide receivers Josh Doctson, Jamison Crowder and Paul Richardson are all under 26 years old. But offensive linemen Trent Williams and Shawn Lauvao, RB Adrian Peterson, TE Vernon Davis and QB Alex Smith are all over 30. RB Chris Thompson, OL-men Brandon Scherff, Morgan Moses and Chase Roullier, and TE Jordan Reed; are all ‘middle-aged’ for football players, hovering between 25 and 28.

The same is true on the defense.

DL-men Jon Allen, Daron Payne and Matt Ioannidis are all young (under 24) but LBs Ryan Kerrigan, Zach Brown and Mason Foster are all ‘mature’ at 28 or older.

But at the meat of the chart is the reality of the starting positions.

With the loss of second-round draft pick, RB Derrius Guice, the Redskins signed Peterson and he came into Washington and immediately secured the starting slot according to this depth chart. His performance against the Denver Broncos was good… he averaged 5.1 yards per carry. It remains to be seen, however, how much he has left in the tank and if he can remain healthy. But knowing head coach Jay Gruden, the run game will be by committee to some degree anyway so fans should expect to see other RBs out there at times to spell the veteran.

The offensive line is no surprise other than in its consistency with Williams, Lauvao, Chase Roullier, Brandon Scherff and Morgan Moses protecting QB Alex Smith. Doctson, Crowder and Richardson are listed as the starting wideouts.

Interestingly, the more veteran cornerback Quinton Dunbar rather than Fabian Moreau is shown starting opposite Josh Norman. But safety Montae Nicholson is starting over the more experienced Deshazor Everett. And while Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and Matt Ioannidis are all the starting defensive linemen, expect to see Ziggy Hood, Tim Settle and Caleb Brantley rotating in and out.

Finally, Crowder is still shown as the starting punt returner even though last season wasn’t his best at the position and numerous players worked at the role during training camp. That may change over the season. Rookie CB Danny Johnson is listed as the starting the kick returner with CB Greg Stroman and WR Trey Quinn backing up both return specialists.

Redskins 2018 Week 1 Depth Chart

OFFENSE:

DEFENSE:

SPECIAL TEAMS: