The Washington Redskins on Tuesday released their first unofficial depth chart for the 2015 regular season. Here's some notes and analysis from Redskins.com's Andrew Walker.*
OFFENSE:
- At quarterback, there's no surprise at starter, where Kirk Cousins is listed as the No. 1 at the position, as Jay Gruden announced last week. Currently listed at No. 2 is veteran Colt McCoy, but keep in mind that Robert Griffin III is yet to be cleared to play by an independent league neurologist. Once that happens, the team could further update its depth chart, so check back with Redskins.com later this week.
- The running back position remains the same for the Redskins, as Alfred Morris is the starter, followed up by exciting rookie Matt Jones and third-down back Chris Thompson. Darrel Young is, as usual, the team's lone fullback.
- There's also no real surprises along the offensive line. Tom Compton is now the Redskins' backup at left tackle, and Ty Nsekhe will backup starter Morgan Moses at right tackle. Josh LeRibeus, as he was during training camp and the preseason, is the backup center.
- Anthony McCoy makes his first Redskins appearance as the team's No. 3 tight end, behind starter Jordan Reed and No. 2 tight end Derek Carrier. It's not yet known whether McCoy will be ready to play by Sunday's 2015 season opener against the Dolphins, but the Redskins needed the depth at the position, nonetheless.
DEFENSE:
- There are no changes along the starting defensive line from the preseason, except at left defensive end, where defensive coordinator Joe Barry has named Stephen Paea and Chris Baker co-starters. Baker had a strong preseason showing with seven tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.
A countdown of the top-10 images of defensive lineman Kedric Golston during the 2014 season.
- Veteran Kedric Golston is now listed as the team's backup nose tackle, behind starter Terrance Knighton. Golston is one of a few players along the line that can play all three positions, which bodes well for defensive line coach Robb Akey.
- At outside linebacker, Trent Murphy, as Gruden announced on Sunday, is listed as the No. 1 on the strongside, with Ryan Kerrigan, of course, the starter on the weakside. Backups are rookie Preston Smith (strongside), who had 13 tackles and two sacks during the preseason, and Jackson Jeffcoat (weakside), whose four sacks tied for best in the NFL during the preseason.
-- Will Compton is listed as the backup at both the "Mike" and "Mo" middle linebacker spots. Rookie Martrell Spaight is listed as the No. 3 at the "Mike" position, where Keenan Robinson is the starter.
- DeAngelo Hall and Chris Culliver are listed as the two No. 1 cornerbacks, and with Bashaud Breeland serving a one-game suspension on Sunday, Justin Rogers will serve as Hall's backup on one side, with David Amerson serving as the No. 2 cornerback on the other side. You'd expect all four cornerbacks to get plenty of reps on Sunday with Ryan Tannehill under center for a quick-moving Dolphins offense.
- No changes at all for the Redskins at safety. Duke Ihenacho (strong safety) and Dashon Goldson (free safety) are listed as the starters, with Jeron Johnson (SS) and Trenton Robinson and Kyshoen Jarrett (FS) behind them.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
-- Tress Way (punter), Kai Forbath (kicker) and Nick Sundberg (long snapper) are the three specialists. Nothing new to report there.
-- The kickoff returner spot remains the same it did the last couple weeks of the preseason: Chris Thompson is listed as the No. 1, followed by Andre Roberts and rookie Jamison Crowder.
-- Roberts remains the No. 1 punt returner, followed by Crowder and Rashad Ross. Crowder, who had an injured hamstring most of the preseason, did not get many opportunities to show was he can do as a punt returner, so we'll see if this changes in the coming weeks as he gets more practice reps.
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