Official 2023 Roster Cuts News & Speculation Thread

[Chump Bailey]

TE Derrick Deese Jr. might be available soon. I think he'd be worth a look. Logan Thomas, when healthy, is the best we have IMO insofar as a receiving option. Hodges is second IMO and Bates and Turner are a bit stiff in that department for my liking, but both are capable blockers. 

[Voice_of_Reason]

1 hour ago, KDawg said:

I don’t, either. But your third emergency QB can’t come in the game or even dress if they aren’t on the 53. 
 

Ideally that wouldn’t matter and we wouldn’t go through two QBs in a single game. But…

I would risk it until late in rhe season/playoffs.  If you go through 2 QBs in September, that’s unfortunate. But if you lose a game because if it, it’s not the end of the world and I’d prefer to have other players who could contribute. 
 

That math changes (risk vs reward) when you HAVE to win a game and even though it’s a 5% chance you need the 3rd Qb in a game, you need that option. 

1 hour ago, MartinC said:

Yep. That was a bad mistake. 
 

You see guys fielding punts inside the 10 (rule always used to be heels on the 10 yard line and if the ball goes over you let it go). But if you field it you have to be bringing it out - you never want to fair catch that ball.

Max played himself off the 53 and onto the PS last night.  He had a chance to make it go the other direction and blew it.  
 

Oh well.  

[KDawg]

Just now, Voice_of_Reason said:

I would risk it until late in rhe season/playoffs.  If you go through 2 QBs in September, that’s unfortunate. But if you lose a game because if it, it’s not the end of the world and I’d prefer to have other players who could contribute. 
 

That math changes (risk vs reward) when you HAVE to win a game and even though it’s a 5% chance you need the 3rd Qb in a game, you need that option. 

And now you waited to get them in camp and learn the playbook and they won’t have any idea what they’re doing.

 

I agree, if the gamble pays off and Fromm makes it to the PS it’s worth it (or we upgrade) to forego QB3.

 

Ideally, I hate the idea of a QB3. 
 

Until we find ourselves needing one and we have one that knows our system to give us, at the very least, a fighting chance.

[Voice_of_Reason]

54 minutes ago, moondog said:

Right. They do it every year tho. Initial 53 is never the opening day 53. So probably keep eleven then IR him, go into the season with 10 and immediately bring up someone else at another position. 

The challenge with that is you have to cut the guy you want to put on the roster after you IR the other guy.  Exposing him to waivers and being poached by another team.  
 

Not that you can’t do it.  But it’s a bit tricky.  

[Leonard Washington]

This such a wonderful time of the year. Up until kickoff, anything in good is possible!

[Voice_of_Reason]

6 minutes ago, KDawg said:

And now you waited to get them in camp and learn the playbook and they won’t have any idea what they’re doing.

 

I agree, if the gamble pays off and Fromm makes it to the PS it’s worth it (or we upgrade) to forego QB3.

 

Ideally, I hate the idea of a QB3. 
 

Until we find ourselves needing one and we have one that knows our system to give us, at the very least, a fighting chance.

I’m not sure I understand the first part.  I absolutely want Fromm on the PS, and he immediately gets elevated if there is any injury.  I don’t think there is a good  chance he gets claimed off waivers.  Unless… one of the NFC east teams want to grab him and have him write out the entire playbook.  Then cut him.  Which seems unlikely.  And they would need to clear a roster spot for that.  
 

Im saying, I might elevate the PS QB to the active roster in November/December no matter what.  If you’re in a “must win” game, you can’t have a couple of freak injuries and end up with Logan Thomas at QB.  
 

I might even carry 2 QBs on the PS.  You can never have enough QBs who can at least call plays and hand the ball off.  

[turtle]

No rumors or info yet? Don't have x twitter.

[KDawg]

1 minute ago, Voice_of_Reason said:

I’m not sure I understand the first part.  I absolutely want Fromm on the PS, and he immediately gets elevated if there is any injury.  I don’t think there is a good  chance he gets claimed off waivers.  Unless… one of the NFC east teams want to grab him and have him write out the entire playbook.  Then cut him.  Which seems unlikely.  And they would need to clear a roster spot for that.  
 

Im saying, I might elevate the PS QB to the active roster in November/December no matter what.  If you’re in a “must win” game, you can’t have a couple of freak injuries and end up with Logan Thomas at QB.  
 

I might even carry 2 QBs on the PS.  You can never have enough QBs who can at least call plays and hand the ball off.  

Not sure what there is to get. There is a chance he gets claimed off of waivers. I don’t THINK so, but I didn’t think Sam Howell would fall to the fifth round, either. And here we are.

[Voice_of_Reason]

1 minute ago, KDawg said:

Not sure what there is to get. There is a chance he gets claimed off of waivers. I don’t THINK so, but I didn’t think Sam Howell would fall to the fifth round, either. And here we are.

Ok.  Well.  I think it’s a risk I’m willing to take.  If he does get claimed, there are other QBs from this system which will be available.  
 

I’d prefer the guy who we’ve had in camp.  But I’d also prefer to keep an extra WR/OL/DE over an inactive 3rd QB.

 

There isn’t a right answer here.  If they go the other way, I wouldn’t be mad.  

[skinsfan4128]

I think it's a fair bet Fromme gets plucked off waivers based on his preseason performance.  And again,its pretty obvious he outperformed Brissett.  In fact, I'd swear that something was wrong with Brissett in his time with both the Ravens and Bengals.  Like something was wrong with him. Injury? Confidence? Not up to speed with the offense? Dunno.

 

Brissett missed guys that were wide open.  His passes looked like he was emulating McNabb. He looked absolutely confused on where to go with the ball. And you don't have to be an NFL scout to see it. For the record,  I wanted us to sign him and was thrilled we landed him.

 

But I have to disagree with those that feel Fromme will make the practice squad. In fact, I believe he'll be picked up pretty quickly by another team based on his performance this off-season.  

 

Also, I think Tinsley and Tremayne make the roster over Milne and Allen.

 

HTTR!

[skinny21]

3 hours ago, KDawg said:

I think you have to count 4 specialists now counting the return man. Whatever offensive position that guy plays is semi irrelevant. If you have position flex you gain a spot, if not, you have 49 roster positions.

 

So, my thoughts

 

First, the locks:

 

QB (3): Howell, Brissett, Fromm

RB (3): Robinson, Gibson, Rodriguez

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

TE (3): Thomas, Turner, Bates

T (3): Leno, Wylie, Lucas

G (4): Cosmi, Charles, Paul, Stromberg

C (2): Gates, Larsen

 

That is 23.

 

DE (4): Young, Sweat, Jones, JSW

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

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

CB (5): Forbes, Fuller, St Juste, Johnson, Holmes

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

 

That is 22. So 45 total.

 

K (1): Slye

P (1): Way

LS (1): Cheeseman

Return (1): Milne (ugh)

 

That is 49 total. That leaves me with 4 roster slots. 
 

I think Tinsley (WR), Henry (DE, draft pick), Obada (flex), Daniels (OT, draft pick).

 

I dig your methodology.  Personally, I’m not as down on Milne as some, but I get it - the dude’s definitely not flashy.

 

Gotta say though, I’d be surprised if we wound up with 3 backs/TEs and no Armah.  But who knows.  

I have no idea how/if Hodges showed anything on teams, but it wouldn’t surprise me if its not really in his wheelhouse… which makes it a bit tough to keep him IMO.

[KDawg]

7 minutes ago, skinny21 said:

I dig your methodology.  Personally, I’m not as down on Milne as some, but I get it - the dude’s definitely not flashy.

 

Gotta say though, I’d be surprised if we wound up with 3 backs/TEs and no Armah.  But who knows.  

I have no idea how/if Hodges showed anything on teams, but it wouldn’t surprise me if its not really in his wheelhouse… which makes it a bit tough to keep him IMO.

We’ll see. I can see a world where Fromm/Tinsley/Daniels are cut and WBK, Armah are in. 
 

but I don’t think there is really a ton of questions on what this roster will consist of. There are about 5-7 fringe/swing guys imo. The rest is just about set.

[dyst]

I kinda love how we’re all discussing our 3rd string QB which by all accounts sucked in training camp up till games 2 and 3 in preseason. 

[bowhunter]

10 minutes ago, KDawg said:

We’ll see. I can see a world where Fromm/Tinsley/Daniels are cut and WBK, Armah are in. 
 

but I don’t think there is really a ton of questions on what this roster will consist of. There are about 5-7 fringe/swing guys imo. The rest is just about set.

The more I think about it, I agree with a previous poster that Armahs place is almost a given. If EB implemented a set number of plays involving a FB, and Armah was the only one we had, it appears that his roster spot is almost a given. Otherwise, Why waste our precious TC reps?

[KDawg]

Just now, bowhunter said:

The more I think about it, I agree with a previous poster that Armahs place is almost a given. If EB implemented a set number of plays involving a FB, and Armah was the only one we had, it appears that his roster spot is almost a given. Otherwise, Why waste our precious TC reps?

By the same token, if he makes it and goes down next week… we wasted training camp and a roster spot because there are no other fullbacks.

 

Id like to see Armah make the roster, personally. I love old school ball. 

[TheShredder]

26 minutes ago, dyst said:

I kinda love how we’re all discussing our 3rd string QB which by all accounts sucked in training camp up till games 2 and 3 in preseason. 

yep!

Fromm said it took him awhile to learn the entire offense but he did.

I think he's talking to all the Andy Reid coaches and their rivals...He's going somewhere.

Edited August 27, 2023 by TheShredder

[RVAskins]

40 minutes ago, dyst said:

I kinda love how we’re all discussing our 3rd string QB which by all accounts sucked in training camp up till games 2 and 3 in preseason. 

But he played great against 3rd stringers.😄

[markmills67]

Just a thought but can we not dangle Brissett as trade bait for an OL and go with Fromm as our number 2 QB. If Howell gets injured or plays bad we might as well play Fromm and end up with  higher draft pick.

 

Just an idea fellow Skins

Just now, markmills67 said:

Just a thought but can we not dangle Brissett as trade bait for an OL and go with Fromm as our number 2 QB. If Howell gets injured or plays bad we might as well play Fromm and end up with  higher draft pick.

 

Just thinking outside the box.

 

[Conn]

47 minutes ago, TheShredder said:

yep!

Fromm said it took him awhile to learn the entire offense but he did.

I think he's talking to all the Andy Reid coaches and their rivals...He's going somewhere.

Talking to other teams while he’s on this roster would be a nice shortcut to him never playing in the league again, I highly doubt that’s happened. 

[Daniel.redskins]

23 minutes ago, markmills67 said:

Just a thought but can we not dangle Brissett as trade bait for an OL and go with Fromm as our number 2 QB. If Howell gets injured or plays bad we might as well play Fromm and end up with  higher draft pick.

 

Just an idea fellow Skins

 

Brissett is only here for one season.  They have no plans to keep him here at 8 mil as a backup.  I think Fromm makes the 53, it seems like he is their long-term backup QB plan.  

 

Gibson is someone to watch on the trade block.  He just can't break that first tackle to get in open field.  I can see another team trying him out at wide receiver.  

[bowhunter]

1 hour ago, TheShredder said:

yep!

Fromm said it took him awhile to learn the entire offense but he did.

I think he's talking to all the Andy Reid coaches and their rivals...He's going somewhere.

I don't think he can talk to other coaches until he is released

[mudhog]

5 hours ago, KDawg said:

I think you have to count 4 specialists now counting the return man. Whatever offensive position that guy plays is semi irrelevant. If you have position flex you gain a spot, if not, you have 49 roster positions.

 

So, my thoughts

 

First, the locks:

 

QB (3): Howell, Brissett, Fromm

RB (3): Robinson, Gibson, Rodriguez

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

TE (3): Thomas, Turner, Bates

T (3): Leno, Wylie, Lucas

G (4): Cosmi, Charles, Paul, Stromberg

C (2): Gates, Larsen

 

That is 23.

 

DE (4): Young, Sweat, Jones, JSW

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

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

CB (5): Forbes, Fuller, St Juste, Johnson, Holmes

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

 

That is 22. So 45 total.

 

K (1): Slye

P (1): Way

LS (1): Cheeseman

Return (1): Milne (ugh)

 

That is 49 total. That leaves me with 4 roster slots. 
 

I think Tinsley (WR), Henry (DE, draft pick), Obada (flex), Daniels (OT, draft pick).

 

I think this is pretty close to dead on except I would ditch Fromm, leaving 5 roster spots. Daniels and Scott (OT's), Armah (FB/TE), Obada and Henry. Henry was pretty well scouted during the draft, so I don't think he would clear waivers. Once we can IR Mathis, I would sign Jones Jr or Burgess from the PS. I think RB Williams is still eligible for PS even though this is his 7th year, though I may be mistaken.

[HigSkin]

 

Offense (25)

Quarterback (2)

In: Sam Howell, Jacoby Brissett

Out: Jake Fromm

No surprises. Howell will be the starter, Brissett will be the backup, and Fromm is likely to end up on the practice squad.

One argument for keeping Fromm: The NFL passed a rule this year that allows teams with three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster to have the third active on game days without counting against the 46-player limit.

 

Wide receiver (6)

In: Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown, Byron Pringle, Dax Milne

Out: Kazmeir Allen, Marcus Kemp, Mitchell Tinsley, Brycen Tremayne, Kyric McGowan, Zion Bowens

 

With a clear top four, the battle for the final two spots included two former Chiefs (Pringle and Kemp), two slighter slots (Milne and Allen) and an undrafted rookie upstart (Tinsley). Washington could use the fifth spot on the best wide receiver (Pringle) and must spend the sixth on the punt/kickoff returner.

 

Allen, though explosive, has been inconsistent. He muffed a punt at the Washington 10-yard line Saturday because he took his eye off the ball too soon, which highlighted the challenge that coaches face when they rely on a young player.

Milne, while not as explosive, has been reliable. He fielded 40 punts and 15 kickoffs last season and muffed just one (which he recovered). But his longest punt return was 19 yards, his longest kickoff 33.

 

If the Commanders want steadiness and security and if they want to help the new-look offense the most, they might pick Milne and hope to stash Allen on the practice squad as he develops.

Tinsley impressed in the preseason — six catches, 129 yards, one touchdown, three of four special teams phases — but narrowly missed our roster. He may have played well enough for Washington to worry about exposing him to waivers and therefore make a hard cut elsewhere.

 

Offensive line (10)

 

In: Charles Leno Jr., Andrew Wylie, Sam Cosmi, Saahdiq Charles, Nick Gates, Chris Paul, Tyler Larsen, Ricky Stromberg, Cornelius Lucas, Braeden Daniels

Out: Trent Scott, Alex Akingbulu, Jaryd Jones-Smith, Mason Brooks, Aaron Monteiro, Nolan Laufenberg

 

The starting five, the two draft picks (Stromberg and Daniels) and the loser of the left guard battle (Charles or Paul) are locks. Washington probably will keep Larsen as a backup center, though Stromberg could also fill the role, as well as one swing tackle. Lucas seems to have the edge on Scott.

Rivera said Thursday it’s critical to keep extra linemen in case of injury. Brooks, Laufenberg and Jones-Smith are strong candidates for the practice squad.

 

Tight end (4)

In: Logan Thomas, John Bates, Cole Turner, Alex Armah

Out: Curtis Hodges, Brandon Dillon, Kaden Smith

The one spot up for grabs went to Armah, who also plays fullback, because he’s versatile and an excellent blocker, traits that new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy values in his tight ends. Hodges, the other serious competitor, ran decent routes but struggled with drops.

 

Washington also could gamble: Keep three tight ends, cut Armah and use the extra spot to keep a young player it’s worried about losing as rosters shake out. It would be a bet that Armah won’t receive a better free agent deal than Washington is willing to offer.

 

Running back (3)

 

In: Brian Robinson Jr., Antonio Gibson, Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Out: Jonathan Williams, Derrick Gore, Jaret Patterson

It seems unlikely the Commanders would make a hard cut elsewhere to keep a fourth running back. But if they did, it would be for Williams, a savvy veteran who plays special teams, or Gore, who played well for Bieniemy in 2021. If cut, both are strong candidates for the practice squad.

 

Defense (25)

Defensive line (11)

In: Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Montez Sweat, Chase Young, Phidarian Mathis, John Ridgeway, Efe Obada, Andre Jones Jr., K.J. Henry, Casey Toohill, James Smith-Williams

Out: Abdullah Anderson, Benning Potoa’e, Joshua Pryor, Will Bradley-King, Isaiah Mack

 

The Commanders’ strongest position is also one of the hardest to forecast. There are five solid candidates for backup edge rusher (Obada, Jones, Henry, Toohill, Smith-Williams) and three for backup tackle (Mathis, Ridgeway, Anderson). The team kept just nine defensive linemen on its initial 53s in 2021 and 2022.

 

This year, the team drafted two defensive linemen (Henry and Jones) and can keep two more because of cuts at linebacker and other spots.

 

It’s possible the Commanders get through cuts, place Mathis (calf) on injured reserve and re-sign another tackle, such as Anderson.

 

 

Linebacker (4)

In: Cody Barton, Jamin Davis, David Mayo, Khaleke Hudson

 

Out: De’Jon Harris, Ferrod Gardner, Milo Eifler

Washington, like many teams, continues to devalue this position. It probably will keep just four because it rarely uses the base 4-3 defense with three linebackers.

The Commanders probably will prioritize stashing a linebacker or two on the practice squad. Two days after final cuts, Davis has a hearing related to a reckless driving conviction. He faces a minimum of four and a maximum of eight days in jail.

 

Cornerback (6)

In: Kendall Fuller, Emmanuel Forbes, Benjamin St-Juste, Quan Martin, Christian Holmes, Danny Johnson

Out: Rachad Wildgoose, Tariq Castro-Fields, Nick Whiteside, D.J. Stirgus, Jace Whittaker, DaMarcus Fields

 

For the final two spots, Johnson and Holmes make sense over Wildgoose and Castro-Fields because of position flex (Johnson can play inside and out) and special teams (Holmes plays all four phases). But Washington’s pro personnel staff clearly likes Wildgoose and Castro-Fields. The team claimed both on waivers after cut day 2022. If exposed, another team might claim Castro-Fields because of his size (6-1, 197) and speed (4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash).

 

Safety (4)

In: Kam Curl, Darrick Forrest, Percy Butler, Jeremy Reaves

Out: Terrell Burgess, Kendall Smith, Joshua Kalu

Despite his feel-good story and special teams all-pro selection, Reaves is on the bubble. The team heavily invested in the defensive backfield and has young, versatile safeties ahead of him. But ultimately, Reaves’s special teams prowess should earn him a spot.

Special teams (3)

In: punter/holder Tress Way, kicker Joey Slye, long snapper Camaron Cheeseman

Edited August 28, 2023 by HigSkin

[kingdaddy]

2 hours ago, skinsfan4128 said:

I think it's a fair bet Fromme gets plucked off waivers based on his preseason performance.  And again,its pretty obvious he outperformed Brissett.  In fact, I'd swear that something was wrong with Brissett in his time with both the Ravens and Bengals.  Like something was wrong with him. Injury? Confidence? Not up to speed with the offense? Dunno.

 

Anyone see the rumors where the Chefs are looking at signing Carson Wentz to backup Mahomes? Maybe someone would scoop up Fromm? 

 

[BleedBNG]