Days after the Redskins cut down the roster to 53 players, making slight alterations in the time being, they've released an unofficial depth chart of the 2018 regular season.

Much leaner than the one released during training camp, the depth chart provides a better breakdown of where the team stands at certain position groups and where their confidence lies.

That starts with the defensive line, a group that has continued to get younger and bigger up front thanks to consecutive first-round selections in Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. The Redskins kept six players, signing Caleb Brantley and waiving Anthony Lanier II on Monday, keeping Ziggy Hood as the only member of that position group older than 25.

"I mean, I think it's a good thing that everybody can grow together but I also think it's good because they have a guy like Ziggy Hood in the room and I didn't have a guy like that at Cleveland," Brantley said. "I can go to him and ask him about stuff that I might be having trouble with in my career or that I might necessarily don't now how to do, so he's been there and he's a vet and so it's cool to learn from him."

On the offensive side of ball, Adrian Peterson is the starting running back, arguably the biggest surprise if you fell asleep in July and woke up this morning. His first impression against the Broncos in the preseason – he carried the ball 11 times for 56 yards – was enough to convince coaches that he could handle those duties to start the season, knowing that he'd have a stable of backs to filter in when necessary.

Chris Thompson follows him in his usual third down role, recovered and ready for Week 1. Head coach Jay Gruden may still limit his snaps depending on how he feels and the flow of the game, but has faith in all four of his running backs right now. 

"He could see anywhere between five snaps and 90 snaps," Gruden said of Thompson. "Right now, it just depends on how we feel and how he feels on game day. He's such a great weapon for us, not only in the passing game, catching routes, but he's great in pass protection and he's also a very good runner as we all know. So, temptation will be there to play him a lot, but we also have Rob [Kelley], Samaje [Perine], Adrian [Peterson] that can also take some of the work off of him."

Rest of the depth chart

Here are some additional notes from the first unofficial depth chart this season...

Offense:

Not much has changed from the preseason in terms of where players are lined up around the field. The offensive line will be anchored by center Chase Roullier, right guard Brandon Scherff and left guard Shawn Lauvao and bookended by Trent Williams and Morgan Moses.

At wide receiver, Josh Doctson and Paul Richardson Jr. will start at the outside positions while Jamison Crowder remains in the slot. Wide receiver Maurice Harris will likely be used in both the slot and outside but, for now, is lined up behind Doctson while Trey Quinn backs up Crowder.

Defense:

The linebacker core will be headlined by Zach Brown and Mason Foster. Next in line at the Mike position, calling the plays in the huddle, is Zach Vigil, who had a productive training camp and preseason. Josh Harvey-Clemons will back up Brown, but likely be used more in nickel situations to use his athleticism and length as a defender.

Nothing surprising in the secondary either. Josh Norman and Quinton Dunbar are the starters at outside cornerback, with Fabian Moreau taking on the slot position when needed on nickel and dime formations.

Special Teams:

For now, Jamison Crowder will remain the punt returner and keep the job he's had for his firts three seasons in the NFL. Undrafted cornerback Danny Johnson impressed enough to return kicks alongside Greg Stroman, who will also back up Crowder on punt returns.