Washington Redskins Training Camp Preview

Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports
Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

Kirk Cousins once again didn't receive a contract extension in the offseason. That is one of the key headlines heading into the 2017 for the Washington Redskins. Another headline is they blew a chance at home to make the playoffs in week 17 against the New York Giants.

For their sake, they hope that is all behind them and that the Redskins are ready to move on. The NFC East is a tough division to play in. They have the talent to make the playoffs, but the offensive line and the defense are big question marks heading into this season.

Washington only has three quarterbacks on the roster and they will all will be on it: Kirk Cousins, Colt McCoy, and Nate Sudfeld.

Running back will be a very interesting position for the Redskins this upcoming season. I believe Matt Jones, Rob Kelley, Chris Thompson, and Samaje Perine will make the roster, but who will be the starter?

Kelley ran well when Jones was hurt last season and Jones never got his job back. Thompson is just a running back that catches passes out of the backfield. Perine has a lot of upside and many people are raving about him. I expect Kelley to be the week one starter, but it wouldn't be a surprise if Perine is the full time starter mid-season.

Cousins has a good group of wide receivers to throw too in Josh Doctson, Jamison Crowder, and Terrelle Pryor. Ryan Grant and Brian Quick will be four and five on the depth chart. The final spot at wide receiver will be between Robert Davis, Maurice Harris, and Matt Hazel.

At tight end, Jordan Reed is the clear cut number one. Expect Niles Davis and Vernon Davis to be the other tight ends on the roster.

The offensive line needs to protect Cousins better this season to have a chance at the postseason. Trent Williams, Shawn Lauvao, Spencer Long, Brandon Scherff, and Morgan Moses will most likely be the starting offensive line. Arie Kouandjio and Ty Nsekhe will compete for play time.

On the defensive line, rookie Jonathan Allen, Stacy McGee, and Terrell McClain are the projected starters. I would expect Ziggy Hood to see the field a lot on the defensive line. Phil Taylor and Matt Ioannidis will also see time as well on the defensive line.

Linebacker is actually one of the strongest positions on this Redskins team. Ryan Kerrigan, Zach Brown, Mason Foster, and Preston Smith are the projected starters. Rookie Ryan Anderson should see a lot of time as well at linebacker. Will Compton is also reliable.

In the secondary, Su'a Cravens and DJ Swearinger are very good at safety. Other than Josh Norman at corner, that position is a major issue. If Bashaud Breeland didn't improve, he will be picked on a lot again this season. Quinton Dunbar and Fabian Moreau aren't that much better either.

Dustin Hopkins will be the team's kicker and Tress Way will be the team's punter. Chris Thompson will most likely be the kick returner and Jamison Crowder will most likely be the punt returner.

If the Redskins don't win the line of scrimmage often this season, they could be in for a long season.