Of the four preseason games any NFL team plays, it is the third contest it’s most important to win because that’s the game during which most teams play their projected starters. For fans of the Washington Redskins, their team’s 19-7 win over the Atlanta Falcons in last night’s Week 3 preseason game had the desired result. That’s a good thing since the players that started last night are likely to be those for 2019.
From early on in training camp, it’s been apparent who would be starting on the defensive side of the ball and they were all out there early against Atlanta. Defensive linemen Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and Matt Ioannidis have become “the guys” in the trenches. Keeping in mind that there is no game-planning to speak of in the preseason, the three men did make their presence known to Falcons QB Matt Ryan.
New Redskins linebacker Jon Bostic continues to be a happy surprise. Having had a journey-man sort of career (he has spent time with the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers); he has pretty much solidified his spot as the starting defensive field general since being signed here in the offseason. Other than last night, fellow MLB Shaun Dion-Hamilton (chest) has been a consistent presence on the training camp practice field beside Bostic as have been OLBs Ryan Kerrigan and Ryan Anderson (both who played against Atlanta). Rookie LB Montez Sweat played and did well in the game.
The defensive backs on the field were the ones one would expect: CBs Josh Norman and Quinton Dunbar on the outside with rookie training camp sweetheart, Jimmy Moreland, in the slot. Safeties Landon Collins — who had a nice pass breakup and tackle for loss — and Montae Nicholson were on the field early in the game with the first team.
The offensive side of the ball is a bit murkier but there are fewer questions now than there were at the start of training camp.
Case Keenum is making a case for the starting QB job what with longtime Redskin Colt McCoy (shin) hurt right now. Rookie Dwayne Haskins has undoubtedly shown why he was a first-round draft pick so far but he is very raw and has much to learn before he is ready to start. I would bet Keenum is the starter Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Running back Adrian Peterson will no doubt, be listed as starter on the Week 1 depth chart. But against the Falcons, second-year player Derrius Guice showed that he has healed nicely from the torn knee ligaments suffered last year. He ran with speed and power against Atlanta and led the RBs with a four yards-per-carry average on 11 carries. Chris Thompson is healthy and ready to go as the specialist at the position.
The wideout who will earn the No. 1 spot is still in question but the guys that will be ON the roster is a list becoming clearer after the win over the Falcons.
The official depth chart lists Paul Richardson, Jr., Josh Doctson and Trey Quinn as the starters with Terry McLaurin, Cam Sims and Darvin Kidsy backing them up, respectively. There will be many who argue that Sims might overtake Doctson as the No. 2 and it’s not a bad argument… for now.
Sims led the group last night three catches for 48 yards. Doctson had a nice catch for 16 yards but also missed one. This drives fans nuts and voices calling for Sims over the 2016 first-round draft pick have been loud. Sims tall, rangy and athletic and he flashed at training camp. But Gruden and WRs coach Ike Hilliard both like Doctson. A lot. They say he works extremely hard and both tout his talent. We’ll see.
The offensive line is the most significant question mark. The absence of All-Pro/Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams has left a hole, to be sure. From center to the right, things are fine with RT Morgan Moses, RG Brandon Scherff and center Chase Roullier holding down that side of the line. But Donald Penn — while a serviceable veteran in Williams’ place — is still not Williams and Ereck Flowers at left guard feels like the team is settling and experimenting. While Flowers wasn’t as terrible as some might have envisioned against the Falcons, he is no Brandon Scherff. The best-case scenario would be Williams returning but there is no sign right now that this will happen.
There is one more preseason game but it will be played by guys looking to either make the Redskins’ roster or put good tape out there so that they have a good chance at signing elsewhere. Aside from Haskins, the main interest will be in seeing who will back up Washington’s starters.