When he first took hold of the Redskins’ roster, general manager Scot McCloughan had three priorities. First, he wanted to build through the draft. Second, he thought “middle men” were crucial. Third, he also felt environment — not just players — was key.
“The core of your team is built with middle men,” said McCloughan before roster cuts last season. “That’s why it’s important to draft so well, to have draft picks. To not just be starters, but backups, great special teams players. That’s how you build your roster. You’re going to have your superstars. You’re going to have four or five. The majority of your team is built with good football players. That’s why it’s so important to me to have smart guys, tough guys, intelligent guys that understand their roles and understand it’s about the team.”
His second time assembling a 53-man roster in Washington shows he still has work to do to accomplish his preferences. The Redskins joined the rest of the league in slashing their roster to the required 53 players by Saturday at 4 p.m. Out were some familiar names, in were some new veterans. A few 2016 draft picks made it.
McCloughan does have 12 of the 17 picks he has made in two seasons on the roster. The surprising part is not that number. It’s more their positions: Half are skill position players. Only three are linemen. None are on the defensive line.
There, the Redskins are using veterans. They signed Cullen Jenkins on Aug. 29 following a tryout, but the 35-year-old did not show enough in the final preseason game to warrant a roster spot, so he was cut. Washington also waived fifth-round draft pick Matt Ioannidis, who was tasked with transitioning to nose tackle in the preseason after playing defensive end at Temple. Undrafted rookie defensive end Anthony Lanier earned his way onto the roster ahead of Jenkins and Ioannidis, who was later added to the practice squad. For now, the Redskins will go with just six defensive linemen: Chris Baker, Kendall Reyes, Ricky Jean Francois, Ziggy Hood, Lanier and nose tackle Kedric Golston. The average age at the position is 28.
Tight end also went through a shift when cuts were made. Out was Logan Paulsen. In was veteran Vernon Davis, so long known as a pass-catcher in San Francisco’s offense, he has now become a capable enough blocker to displace Paulsen. Paulsen was entering his seventh season with Washington before being cut. He missed last season because of turf toe.
The Redskins limited themselves to three tight ends. Davis joins Jordan Reed and Niles Paul, who returned from a broken foot that kept him out last season. Paul also has extra duty as the pseudo-fullback on the team. The Redskins cut Joe Kerridge, an undrafted free agent, who was the only player listed at the position, before adding him to the practice squad Sunday. Paul will work the position occasionally. Most often, the Redskins will not use a fullback.
The running back depth chart was sent into disarray when Matt Jones injured his shoulder in the second preseason game. That opened a spot for Robert Kelley, an undrafted free agent, to receive several carries during the preseason. He performed well enough, both running and picking up blitzing defenders, that Redskins coach Jay Gruden was asked last week if Jones would remain the starting running back when he returns.
“Oh yeah, Matt is our No. 1 back,” Gruden said. “We fully anticipate him being ready.”
Despite rushing for 149 yards and a touchdown in the Redskins’ preseason finale, running back Mack Brown was cut Saturday. His outlook did a 180-degree turn when he was added to the practice squad Sunday, the same place he spent much of last season.
Also among those added to the practice squad were wide receivers Kendal Thompson and Maurice Harris, guard Nila Kasitati, outside linebacker Lynden Trail, offensive tackle Isaiah Williams and guard Vinston Painter.
Washington waived the other following players Saturday: cornerback Lloyd Carrington, wide receiver T.J. Thorpe, offensive tackle Takoby Cofield, outside linebacker Mike Wakefield, defensive end Corey Crawford, linebacker Carlos Fields, tight end Marcel Jensen and safety Geno Matias-Smith.
Cornerback Mariel Cooper was waived with an injury settlement.
⦁ Anthony Gulizia contributed to this report.
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