Official 2023 Roster Cuts News & Speculation Thread

[MartinC]

Preseason is over and real football just around the corner! We have some quality depth players and real decisions to make on who makes the 53. We need to be down to that number by Tuesday.

 

Can we sneak a receiver to the PS or do we keep 7? Who returns punts?? Can we get by with 9 OL? 3 QBs? Who makes it through at DE and DB? Is there anyone worth keeping at LB??

 

Have at it. Let’s track our cuts and cuts from other teams we think might have value in here. 

 

Updated - latest cuts as of 14.28 EST. I think final for now until we see who gets through waivers and maybe make some claims.

 

• Waived WR/KR Kazemir Allen
• Released FB/TE Alex Armah
• Released K Michael Badgley
• Waived WR Zion Bowens
• Released CB William Bradley-King
• Released OL Mason Brooks
• Released S Terrell Burgess
• Released CB Tariq Castro-Fields
• Waived LB Milo Eifler
• Waived CB DaMarcus Fields
• Released QB Jake Fromm
• Waived LB Ferrod Gardner
• Released RB Derrick Gore
• Waived LB De’Jon Harris
• Released S Joshua Kalu
• Released WR Marcus Kemp
• Released C Tyler Larsen
• Released OL Nolan Laufenberg
• Released DT Isaiah Mack
• Waived DT Anthony Montalvo
• Waived OL Aaron Montiero
• Released P Michael Palardy
• Waived RB Jaret Patterson
• Waived DE Joshua Pryor
• Released WR Jalen Sample
• Waived CB DJ Stirgus
• Released OL Keaton Sutherland
• Waived WR Brycen Tremaine
• Released P Colby Wadman
• Waived CB Nick Whiteside
• Released CB Jace Whittaker
• Waived CB Rachad Wildgoose

[NoVaSkins21]

I think Tinsley made a strong case for the roster, but since they are so deep at the position, he's going to wind up on the PS.  Burgess made a strong case with that nice INT

[moondog]

1 minute ago, NoVaSkins21 said:

I think Tinsley made a strong case for the roster, but since they are so deep at the position, he's going to wind up on the PS.  Burgess made a strong case with that nice INT

Whittaker?

[NoVaSkins21]

Just now, moondog said:

Whittaker?

Yeah, I meant Whittaker.  Burgess made a nice hit near the goaline to knock the ball out of Bengals WR's hands on a sure TD

[MartinC]

Let’s think about roster balance - can we keep 7 receivers? That would allow us to keep Tinsley and maybe Milne to return punts. Allen likely played his way off the roster and onto the practice squad.

 

I’m not sure Tinsley will make it through waivers and I want to keep him on the 53. 

 

2 QBs (Fromm will make it through waivers)

4 RBs (not keeping the full back)

3 TEs

7 WR

10 OL 

 

So 26 O

 

9 DL

4 LB

11 DBs

 

24 D

 

3 Specialists 

 

I don’t think they will do this - think they will want 10 DL - but I would 

[Sacks 'n' Stuff]

@MartinC Which 9 DL are you keeping?

[MartinC]

Just now, Sacks 'n' Stuff said:

@MartinC Which 9 DL are you keeping?

Going out on a limb I think Allen, Payne, Sweat and Young make it! After them not sure. You keep Ridgeway, Mathis for sure. The it’s between Toohill, Smith-Williams, Obada, Jones and Henry. 
 

I think they end up keeping 10.

[Voice_of_Reason]

One important thing to consider is whether they will keep 2 or 3 QBs.  I'm going to assume 2 because I don't think another team will use a waiver claim on Fromm, so they can get him to the PS.  And then elevate him any time they want to.  

 

With that said, I think the following are locks:

 

QB: (2) - Howell, Brissett

RB: (3) - Gibson, Robinson, Rodriguez

TE: (3) - Thomas, Bates, Turner

WR: (5) - McLaurin, Dotson, Samuel, Brown, Pringle

OT (4) - Leno, Wylie, Lucas, Daniels (Possible Red Shirt)

G (4) - Charles, Paul, Cosmi, Stromberg (I'm putting him here because I think he's going to be the primary backup to Cosmi at RG)

C (2) - Gates, Larson (Larson can also swing to guard if needed)

 

That's 23 spots I thin are locks on offense. I would be SHOCKED if one of these didn't make the team.  The only 2 I think are even remotely in doubt would be Pringle and Larson.  But I can't imagine either not making it at this point.

 

DE (5): Sweat, Young, Obada, Henry, A. Jones

DT (4): Payne, Allen, Mathis, Ridgeway

LB (4): Davis, Barton, Mayo, Hudson

CB (4): Fuller, Forbes, St. Juste, D. Johnson

S (5): Curl, Forrest, Butler, Martin, Reaves

 

That's 22 on Defense which are locks.   

 

Which means there are ~5 spots up for grabs in total.  

 

Competitions:

Offense:

- WR: They will carry 6 or 7, so Milne and K. Allen would be the folks there.

- OL: They are also REALLY think at backup tackle after Lucas.  If you believe Daniels is no going to play this year, then they have 1 backup swing tackle in Lucas.  What they could do there is count on Cosmi to swing out to tackle and plug RG. But he gets hurt a lot also.  I think they keep another OL for 11 total, and you'd think Monteiro, Trent Scott and Mason Brooks are all competing for that spot. I think it's going to be Monteiro.  But that's a total SWAG.

- But IF they keep an extra OL, then I think they only keep 1 WR.  So that's a pickle.  Because K. Allen gives you NOTHING at WR.  Milne isn't great, but he's a better WR.  So do you live with "meh" punt returns so you have better depth?  I think you do, because I want the 11th OL.  And I think you have to pick the 11th OL vs. 7th WR.  

 

Defense:

- You go straight to the DE spot to start with.  Toohill, JSW and William Bradley-King are all possibly competing for 1 or 2 spots.  I find it hard to believe they will keep 7 DEs.  And I think they are keeping both draft picks.  

- I don't see any competition at the LB spot.

- They will keep 10 in the secondary.  Which means probably one additional DB and one additional S.  I'm not even sure who those guys might be. But there are a whole glut of folks competing for 2 spots in the secondary.  

 

If they were willing to cut Daniels and Henry, they would open up a few more spots for other guys, but I don't think they will cut draft picks this early.

[Sacks 'n' Stuff]

You're not allowed to cut Smith-Williams.

[Voice_of_Reason]

3 minutes ago, Sacks 'n' Stuff said:

You're not allowed to cut Smith-Williams.

 

PS: I just noted HeiHei as your avatar.  Well played, well played.  

Edited August 27, 2023 by Voice_of_Reason

[Sacks 'n' Stuff]

Just now, Voice_of_Reason said:

Sentimental reasons. He was the Redskins' last draft pick ever.

[MartinC]

1 minute ago, Voice_of_Reason said:

One important thing to consider is whether they will keep 2 or 3 QBs.  I'm going to assume 2 because I don't think another team will use a waiver claim on Fromm, so they can get him to the PS.  And then elevate him any time they want to.  

 

With that said, I think the following are locks:

 

QB: (2) - Howell, Brissett

RB: (3) - Gibson, Robinson, Rodriguez

TE: (3) - Thomas, Bates, Turner

WR: (5) - McLaurin, Dotson, Samuel, Brown, Pringle

OT (4) - Leno, Wylie, Lucas, Daniels (Possible Red Shirt)

G (4) - Charles, Paul, Cosmi, Stromberg (I'm putting him here because I think he's going to be the primary backup to Cosmi at RG)

C (2) - Gates, Larson (Larson can also swing to guard if needed)

 

That's 23 spots I thin are locks on offense. I would be SHOCKED if one of these didn't make the team.  The only 2 I think are even remotely in doubt would be Pringle and Larson.  But I can't imagine either not making it at this point.

 

DE (5): Sweat, Young, Obada, Henry, A. Jones

DT (4): Payne, Allen, Mathis, Ridgeway

LB (4): Davis, Barton, Mayo, Hudson

CB (4): Fuller, Forbes, St. Juste, D. Johnson

S (5): Curl, Forrest, Butler, Martin, Reaves

 

That's 22 on Defense which are locks.   

 

Which means there are ~5 spots up for grabs in total.  

 

Competitions:

Offense:

- WR: They will carry 6 or 7, so Milne and K. Allen would be the folks there.

- OL: They are also REALLY think at backup tackle after Lucas.  If you believe Daniels is no going to play this year, then they have 1 backup swing tackle in Lucas.  What they could do there is count on Cosmi to swing out to tackle and plug RG. But he gets hurt a lot also.  I think they keep another OL for 11 total, and you'd think Monteiro, Trent Scott and Mason Brooks are all competing for that spot. I think it's going to be Monteiro.  But that's a total SWAG.

- But IF they keep an extra OL, then I think they only keep 1 WR.  So that's a pickle.  Because K. Allen gives you NOTHING at WR.  Milne isn't great, but he's a better WR.  So do you live with "meh" punt returns so you have better depth?  I think you do, because I want the 11th OL.  And I think you have to pick the 11th OL vs. 7th WR.  

 

Defense:

- You go straight to the DE spot to start with.  Toohill, JSW and William Bradley-King are all possibly competing for 1 or 2 spots.  I find it hard to believe they will keep 7 DEs.  And I think they are keeping both draft picks.  

- I don't see any competition at the LB spot.

- They will keep 10 in the secondary.  Which means probably one additional DB and one additional S.  I'm not even sure who those guys might be. But there are a whole glut of folks competing for 2 spots in the secondary.  

 

If they were willing to cut Daniels and Henry, they would open up a few more spots for other guys, but I don't think they will cut draft picks this early.

I think Kaz Allen is heading to the practice squad. The drops and muffed punt yesterday make it hard to keep him on the 53. He needs a year on PS.

 

Locks at WR are Terry, Dotson, Samuels, Brown and Pringle.
 

Then you need to think developmental, depth and special teams (especially punt returns). If Allen is heading to the practice squad (my projection) Milne makes the 6th spot as a utility guy and punt returner and I want to find a way to keep Tinsley as the 7th guy. 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Just now, Sacks 'n' Stuff said:

Sentimental reasons. He was the Redskins' last draft pick ever.

[KillBill26]

My reaction watching Milne is that he is a JAG, but I'm probably not giving him enough credit. 

 

Bob Carrolls book from 1988 the hidden game of football (it's 35 years old and a bit outdated) says the numbers show an average returner with no fumbles is more valuable than the best returner with 2 fumbles.  2 fumbles is all it takes to squander the value of those extra return yards.  I found that pretty interesting.  

 

Last year, Milne had 40 punt returns, 22 fair catches, and 15 kickoff returns, and I don't see any fumbles lost for him.  He was 12th in punt return yardage at 7.8.  

 

Pringle has not returned punts in the NFL, and can we trust Allen?  Tinsley did return punts on college, but not sure we want him back there either.  

 

It's gonna be hard to keep more than 6 WRs, but I think Milne is going to be one of them.  I hope they go Tinsley over Pringle, who is 29 years old, more expensive, and only under team control for one year.  Especially considering this is WR5, I'd lean to the young guy.  I'd put Allen on PS, and if he gets claimed, I wouldn't be too devastated.  I'd rather keep 6 WR over 7, and add an extra body on OL or DL.

[Voice_of_Reason]

1 minute ago, MartinC said:

I think Kaz Allen is heading to the practice squad. The drops and muffed punt yesterday make it hard to keep him on the 53. He needs a year on PS.

 

Locks at WR are Terry, Dotson, Samuels, Brown and Pringle.
 

Then you need to think developmental, depth and special teams (especially punt returns). If Allen is heading to the practice squad (my projection) Milne makes the 6th spot as a utility guy and punt returner and I want to find a way to keep Tinsley as the 7th guy. 

As I said, I think it's 7 WR vs. 11th OL.  

 

Assuming they do a 25/25 split. Which isn't for sure.  

 

Personally, I'd cut Daniels and keep Tinsley + 1 more OL.  But they won't.  

 

They could also cut Henry and keep a 7th WR because they don't need as many DEs as they are going to have since they drafted 2 of them.

Some of the silliness in the draft strategy is going to continue to have impact all the way through roster construction if they're not willing to cut a draft pick in favor of better/more ready back-end-of-the-roster players.  

[MartinC]

1 minute ago, KillBill26 said:

 

Tinsley did return punts on college, but not sure we want him back there either.  

He returned 9 punts in his College career and averaged 1 yard per return. 
 

Only way is up.

2 minutes ago, Voice_of_Reason said:

As I said, I think it's 7 WR vs. 11th OL.  

 

Assuming they do a 25/25 split. Which isn't for sure.  

 

Personally, I'd cut Daniels and keep Tinsley + 1 more OL.  But they won't.  

 

They could also cut Henry and keep a 7th WR because they don't need as many DEs as they are going to have since they drafted 2 of them.

Some of the silliness in the draft strategy is going to continue to have impact all the way through roster construction if they're not willing to cut a draft pick in favor of better/more ready back-end-of-the-roster players.  

I’d try to sneak Henry onto the PS. But I agree with you that draft status will probably stop them doing that.

[Voice_of_Reason]

Just now, MartinC said:

He returned 9 punts in his College career and averaged 1 yard per return. 
 

Only way is up.

Yeah, the problem is, with those numbers, he's so far down he's standing at the helm of the Titanic.  He's got to improve a heck of a lot to just to get to sea level.    

[MartinC]

2 minutes ago, Voice_of_Reason said:

Yeah, the problem is, with those numbers, he's so far down he's standing at the helm of the Titanic.  He's got to improve a heck of a lot to just to get to sea level.    

Milne is going to be returning punts - we just have to accept it. 

[Voice_of_Reason]

2 minutes ago, MartinC said:

I’d try to sneak Henry onto the PS. But I agree with you that draft status will probably stop them doing that.

He'd make the practice squad.  Would another team be willing to use a waiver claim and a 53-man roster spot for a guy that has been a disappointment in camp and games?  I don't think so.  Now, he could sign to somebody else's practice squad.  But he will clear waivers. And then they could sign him if they wanted to.

 

Same with Daniels.  No GM is going to use a waiver claim and a 53-man roster spot on a guy for a redshirt season.  

 

That's why I think you cut both and sign to practice squad and just suck up the fact you screwed those 2 draft picks.  Don't toss good money after bad.  Keep the players who give you the best chance to win now, push those that don't to PS.  

Just now, MartinC said:

Milne is going to be returning punts - we just have to accept it. 

[dswerdlw]

3 minutes ago, MartinC said:

He returned 9 punts in his College career and averaged 1 yard per return. 
 

Only way is up.

If Tinsley didn't fumble any of those returns, he's worth considering. We could also sign Kaz to PS until he cleans up his act in practice. I think Danny Johnson has also returned punts for us. In short, with some creativity, we have options.

[Voice_of_Reason]

Candidly, I think they should PS K. Allen, and find a punt returner on the waiver wire.  Whether that means Milne sticks around or not, I don't know.  I think he does, regardless.

 

But there HAS to be a guy who can punt return better than Milne out there some team is not going to have room for.  I refuse to believe there isn't.

 

The benefit of Milne staying on the roster, though, is I think he's still dating Zach Wilson's ex-girlfriend, and that whole love triangle/debacle makes me chuckle.  It's the best catch he's made, for sure...

[@DCGoldPants]

Hopefully folks can post quality and unexpected cuts from other teams in positions of weakness for Washington here. 

[ExoDus84]

21 minutes ago, MartinC said:

He returned 9 punts in his College career and averaged 1 yard per return. 

 

Dax Milne: takes notes furiously. 

[Chris 44]

36 minutes ago, KillBill26 said:

My reaction watching Milne is that he is a JAG, but I'm probably not giving him enough credit. 

 

Bob Carrolls book from 1988 the hidden game of football (it's 35 years old and a bit outdated) says the numbers show an average returner with no fumbles is more valuable than the best returner with 2 fumbles.  2 fumbles is all it takes to squander the value of those extra return yards.  I found that pretty interesting.  

 

Last year, Milne had 40 punt returns, 22 fair catches, and 15 kickoff returns, and I don't see any fumbles lost for him.  He was 12th in punt return yardage at 7.8.  

 

Pringle has not returned punts in the NFL, and can we trust Allen?  Tinsley did return punts on college, but not sure we want him back there either.  

 

It's gonna be hard to keep more than 6 WRs, but I think Milne is going to be one of them.  I hope they go Tinsley over Pringle, who is 29 years old, more expensive, and only under team control for one year.  Especially considering this is WR5, I'd lean to the young guy.  I'd put Allen on PS, and if he gets claimed, I wouldn't be too devastated.  I'd rather keep 6 WR over 7, and add an extra body on OL or DL.

Had no idea that Milne was 12th in return yardage last year. You make a great argument for keeping him.

[skinny21]

@Voice_of_Reason Haven’t they kept 3 only tackles each year?  I mean that in relation to you saying they’re really thin there after Lucas.  I do think they’ll break the norm and keep Daniels, but I don’t think they’ll be looking to keep another (even if they’re not ready to trust Daniels, ie planning to redshirt him).  I believe they’ll PS one of their other tackles (Monteiro or Scott maybe) and then elevate them if needed.

 

Just to be clear, its not that I think there’s zero chance they keep 11 OL, I just think its highly doubtful (though I get your logic).

 

Personally, I’d keep 9 DL (Obada and/or JSW can serve as both DEs and DTs), 10 dbs and 4 backers (23 total defenders), allowing us to carry two extra offensive players.  

You can then hold on to Larsen and Daniels (for 10 total OL), fit that 7th receiver (Tinsley - I’m presuming Pringle and Milne are safe), then add the 2 qbs, 3 backs and 3 tes for 25 total.  Leaves you space to fit 2 of Armah, Hodges, Fromm, or Patterson/Gore/Williams.

 

If they roster a 10th DL, I wonder if they keep Armah (as an emergency option at both back and TE), freeing up a spot for either Fromm or an additional back or TE.

 

Man, so many permutations…