One thing to keep in mind about this rookie class: The fact that more rookies are on the bubble is a good thing. If the Redskins somehow kept all 12 rookies, or even, say, 10 of them, it would not mean it was a terrific class. Rather, it would mean the roster was pretty bare. Don’t forget, the Redskins kept nine of their 10 rookies in 2008, with Rob Jackson making the practice squad.
From this group, I could see six or seven players making the roster with several more on the practice squad.
LB Ryan Kerrigan
Stock report: Going up. He’s far from a finished product, but last week he had much better angles to the ball. He’s focusing on leaning forward in the two-point stance. Last week that caused him to sometimes steady himself with his left hand (making it appear he was rushing with his hand in the dirt; he wasn’t). So he made some strides; still think he has a long ways to go especially when it comes to coverage.
DE Jarvis Jenkins
Stock report: Same. He made a play last week in which he shoved the center back and drew a holding penalty, yet he could have made a great play if he had played with his knees bent. Part of the learning process. He’s still inconsistent, but man when he does it right he’s very good. Pay attention to what happens when someone blocks down on him. It happened last week and he was driven out. Jenkins said he needs to do a better job of getting upfield when those blocks are going to occur; instead, this time he was lateral. If that happens, he’ll lose. Love what he offers.
WR Leonard Hankerson
Stock report: Same. He caught three balls vs. Indy, but also dropped one because he turned his head upfield. He also caught a ball when doing this, so it’s not as if he has snapped that habit. See what he does Thursday night in this area. He’s still on pace to be a fourth receiver. It’ll just take time with those drops.
RB Roy Helu
Stock report: Up. He showed again the ability to make defenders miss thanks to terrific feet. By the way, he’ll never go out of bounds on a play like he had last week. Why? Not his style. He’s a home-run hitter; he looks for any opening he can find. His stock will really go up once he picks up blitzes with consistency. It’s why he’s still a No. 3 change-of-pace back for now.
S DeJon Gomes
Stock report: Same. He plays well going forward; we know that. He has a linebacker’s mentality at times in a safety body. Want to see more in coverage. He’s a fringe guy, but I like his chances because he’s worth developing.
WR Niles Paul
Stock report: Down. Only because he was unable to do anything with his punt returns and, in the end, special teams will be his focal point. As a receiver he didn’t catch anything but I liked how physical he was in the run game. That will serve him well. But Paul needs to show more on special teams. The advantage he has over Terrence Austin is his ability to be physical, but Austin has outplayed him as a returner and as a receiver. But you also have to take into account how much Paul was set back by the lockout. If you keep him, he’d be inactive early on. Who would you cut to keep Paul? Austin? Donte Stallworth, Brandon Banks? Those are the choices. Two of these players will make it and as long as Banks is healthy he takes one spot. That leaves Austin, Stallworth and Paul fighting for one spot. And if Banks is out, who would you want between Paul and Austin fielding punts? See the problem here? OK, I’ll stop asking questions.
WR Evan Royster
Stock report: Same. He didn’t play last week as the coaches wanted to look at other guys. Thursday, will he show an ability to make defenders miss? How will he handle the blitz? He’s still better than Paul in this area. Still think he’s a practice squad guy in Washington. It’ll be tough to keep more than three backs (the number they kept in 2010), especially if they keep a guy like Mike Sellers, who would be a backup fullback and possible fourth tight end.
WR Aldrick Robinson
Stock report: Same. Didn’t play last week and wasn’t exactly stellar in the first game. He needs to show a lot Thursday. Need to see more of the speed that he offers. It’s uncommon to have more than one receiver on the practice squad.
CB Brandyn Thompson
Stock report: Up. Last week was the best he’s looked all summer. Maybe he’s getting more comfortable? But I loved how he used his eyes and played his spot well. He has a chance to make the final roster with Phillip Buchanon out for the first four games. Beyond that, however, it’ll be tough. But it also gives him plenty of chances to show what he can do and to improve. Another good game Thursday would help him tremendously.
OL Maurice Hurt
Stock report: Down. Didn’t like seeing Hurt lunge so much at defenders last week. Right now if the Redskins kept nine offensive linemen I’d keep him just because I’m not sold on anyone else near him (Xavier Fulton, Selvish Capers). But they kept eight at the beginning of the season last year and that would put him behind. Two likely backups will be Artis Hicks and Sean Locklear. Erik Cook is a backup center (not sold on him). I wouldn’t be surprised if there is some shuffling after seeing what other teams do in final cuts.
LB Markus White
Stock report: Same. Liked his strength before last week; still like it. I do think he’s starting to show better moves and not wasting his footwork as he did early in camp; made him easy to block for the vets. For example, I did not see the stutter steps on his rush that he’d show early in camp. Still view him as a practice squader worth developing. If you keep him, who do you cut right now? Tough call. But I like him for down the road.
NT Chris Neild
Stock report: Same. I’d say down, but I haven’t thought since early in camp that he would win a roster spot. Thought he showed better strength last week; a couple times he got off a double team and back into the play. Then other times he would get moved. Just doesn’t have the quickness; shows a lot of effort. A lot. Still a practice squad type.
